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Get insights into collective bargaining agreements at UW campuses, including legal status, the bargaining process, union membership, ongoing activities, and contacts for more information.
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The Status of Collective Bargaining Agreements on UW Campuses Thomas Kemp Associate Professor of Economics Statewide Treasurer TAUWP Local 3535
Legal Status • Prior to the passage of the budget U.W. Faculty had the right to join unions. • UW-Madison United Faculty and Academic Staff (UFAS) AFT local 223. • All other campuses The Association of University of Wisconsin Professional (TAUWP) AFT local 3535.
Legal Status • The 2009-2011 Biennial Wisconsin Budget extends collective bargaining rights to all U.W. Faculty and Academic Staff (Both categories A and B).
The Process • The right to collective bargaining does not mean U.W. Faculty and Academic Staff bargain collectively. The bargaining unit must vote to exercise these rights. • Before a vote the effective institutional structure must be built.
The Process • Authorization Cards • Are a request for a vote on collective bargaining • 30% of bargaining unit required by the Wisconsin Employee Relations Committee (WERC) must have signed cards for a vote to be held • Signing an authorization card does not imply you will vote for collective bargaining nor does it make you a member of a union.
The Process • If authorization cards are in order WERC will call for a campus vote • Items to vote on: a) collective bargaining, b) the bargaining unit, and c) bargaining representation. • WERC will verify results • Majority of votes wins. E.g., If only three votes are cast and two are in support of collective bargaining vote passes.
The Process • Union membership is not required no matter what the vote outcome. (No closed shop.) • Should collective bargaining be voted up the bargaining unit may call for a “fair share” vote to avoid “free-riding”. • A fair-share vote requires a 2/3 majority. • If majority is achieved all non-union members will be required to pay fair share dues. • Fair share dues are based on the cost of running the union. NOT the costs associated with union organizing or political activity.
Ongoing Activity • On several campuses (Notably Superior, Eau Claire, and LaCrosse) organizing committees have been formed and are active. • Members of the organizing committees meet with faculty to gauge concerns and interest. • The above campuses are expected to be moving to distributing authorization cards late this semester or early next semester. • A number of other campuses have started to form organizing committees.
Contact • American Federation of Teachers (AFT-Wisconsin) www.aft-wisconsin.org • TAUWP local 3535 www.tauwp.org • UFAS local 223 www.ufas.org (UW Madison only)