Faculty at the University of Vermont (UVM) who fought a tough battle to secure the right to bargain in April 2001 have learned that was only a warm-up to the battle they're facing now--the fight to secure a fair contract. After 10 months of discussion and an estimated 200 hours of meetings, on Sept. 4, UVM United Academics/AFT/AAUP and the administration declared that they were at impasse.

The issues that compelled the faculty to unionize have proven to be the stumbling blocks at the bargaining table: salary, the need for a stronger voice in governance as the administration bumbles, and issues of job security and fair treatment for nontenure-track faculty.

The University of Vermont has the reputation of being a "public ivy." However, faculty complain that with salaries among the very lowest in the United States, quality is on the skids. "For 10 years, officials have been promising to do something about compensation," says UA chief negotiator David Shiman. "At the bargaining table, they have the opportunity to do so, but they have yet to take this opportunity."

Of equal concern to the union is the university's use and treatment of nontenure-track faculty. These "temporary" faculty, who make up more than one-third of the 600-person teaching faculty, have worked 10 years on average at the university. Eighty-six percent work without multiyear contracts. In negotiations, the university has been unwilling to extend long-term contracts and adequate pay increases to the nontenure-track faculty.

"The university is trying to split us up along tenure-track and nontenure-track lines to weaken our collective strength," says Linda Backus, acting UA president, "but we want dignity, justice and respect for all faculty."

Having a role in academic decision-making is a priority to the faculty, who are living with the consequences of major administrative blunders committed by people who lack the faculty's long-term investment in the university. Most recently, the university executed a costly early retirement buy-out program that depleted faculty ranks by 13 percent.

The university has refused to give faculty a standard grievance proposal, does not wish to be held to past-practice precedents and wants to keep raises to a minimum. The union is seeking 3 percent across the board plus merit and promotion increases and market adjustments.

Because of the declared impasse, the two sides will meet with a federal mediator. After that, the contract could fall into the hands of the Vermont Labor Relations Board to settle. [Barbara McKenna / AFT On Campus]

[December 10, 2002]