Contract Update 12-10-07
This update provides AFSCME bargaining unit members
with current information about the status of our contract.
Our collective bargaining agreement expired on October
31, 2007. While we negotiate a new agreement, we continue
to operate under the terms of the old agreement. During
this time we will receive no pay increase or bonus. There
also will be no increase to the percentage that we pay
towards our health insurance.
Unfortunately, the Administration is repeating an all
too familiar pattern for Temple. As they did last time,
Temple is demanding an increase in our health insurance
contributions. Four years ago, Temple put merit pay on
the table and left it there for five months past the
contract expiration date. They finally took it off the
table when they saw how united and committed we were
as a Union to a fair across the board raise. Apparently,
the Administration learned nothing from our last negotiations.
We now need to direct our attention to where we have
been in negotiations and where we are headed. Our negotiating
team tried to establish a tone of fairness and respect
early in our talks. We all felt that this was an opportune
time for the workers to share in the success of the University.
The Administration had other ideas and although they
say they respect us, they have shown nothing but contempt
for the employees and the Union that represents them.
When we pointed out the inequity in salaries at the University,
they ignored us. When we took our case to the Temple
community by distributing a flyer, the University threatened
punitive legal action for telling the truth (see enclosure).
The most recent attempt to circumvent the negotiating
process was the News Communication sent out to all employees
(Temple Today, Dec. 6th). This transparent action was
designed to bypass, and undermine, the legitimate and
legally recognized Union representation of the professional
employees at Temple. This unprofessional and desperate
action shows the extent that some in the Administration
will go to push this ill-conceived, so called “merit,” pay
system on the AFSCME membership.
According to Deborah Hartnett (Vice President for Human
Resources), AFSCME members at Temple are “a critical
part of our employee population and largely exceptional
performers,” yet Temple feels it must “incentivize” continued
exceptional performance. We are exceptional performers,
because we understand what it means to be a part of a
University. We came to the University to not only make
a living, but to make a difference. Our performance is
based on the pride we take in our work. We are aware
that unlike a for-profit company our work is not about
products but about people. Some in Administration don’t
seem to understand this. A fair across-the-board raise
is a reflection of the values of cooperation that Universities
should be promoting rather then the corporate values
of work place competition. Our fight is not only for
a fair contract, but also for a decent work place.
In the days, weeks and perhaps months ahead, we will
be calling on the membership to join this campaign. We
will be engaged in numerous efforts to raise awareness
about our situation on the campus and throughout the
wider community. Many of you have already stepped forward
to help. We welcome, and need, everyone. Be active. Contact
the Union Hall to volunteer. Support one another. Remain
positive and professional. If our foes are successful
in dividing us from one another, they will win. But,
if our message of solidarity rings true, we will be the
winners. I am convinced after speaking to so many of
you, that we are united and will prevail.
In Solidarity
Paul L. Dannenfelser
President AFSCME/Local 1723
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