![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
Here's the situation as it stands right now. All three AFSCME locals on the Twin Cities campus and the Duluth local are out on strike. Angus is right, the University has offered the AFSCME locals 2.25% across the board plus step increases except for the healthcare local which has been offered 2.5% because a large percentage of their members are at the top of their salary ranges.
The Teamsters have reached a tentative agreement for 3.0% across the board each year for the next two years plus their step increases. In addition, the Civil Service employees at the University were given a 3.25% across the board increase plus they are eligible for bonuses. The State AFSCME locals settled for 3.25% plus step increases.
The steps are a bone of contention between the University and AFSCME but the Teamsters and the state employees both settled contracts that included steps plus a higher across the board than what the University has offered us.
We met three times with the University and they absolutely refused to budge from 2.25%. They did increase their offer of one year lump sums to $250 per year which would equal 0.75% if costed out as a percentage increase. In other words, they have the money to give us a 3.0% across the board but they don't want that additional money on their budget. They want us to fight for it.
At this point it's a staring contest, no new talks are scheduled.
I could add a lot of details, but I need to get some sleep. I don't want to get all sappy here but I do appreciate the nice things that were said about me personally.
One thing that struck me about hockeygod's posts is that based on what he pays his support staff it sounds like he has respect for the work they do. Unfortunately, the university administration doesn't share that respect for their support staff.