This update provides AFSCME bargaining unit members with current information about the status of our contract, our upcoming rally and the recent mailing you received from Temple Human Resources. 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.

Ms. Hartnett and Temple University, as they did in negotiations four years ago, have decided to appeal directly to the membership of AFSCME by mailing to you their proposal and pleading their case. The Union will be filing an unfair labor practice charge based on direct dealing. Although Ms. Harnett is obviously playing a major role in the negotiations she has not attended a single meeting. Negotiations take place across the table with a negotiating committee not in the mail, and I invite Ms. Hartnett to join us for negotiations. The letter details some enhanced benefits which non-bargaining employees already receive. These benefits would certainly represent an improvement and we have asked for these as well as other benefits enjoyed by non-bargaining employees. It is our position that these benefits should not be held hostage to a top down performance pay scheme. This is another example of the coercive tactics that Temple Administration has employed to get their way.

The cost of health care is becoming a greater burden to our members. Although Temple is doing quite well as an organization they have continued to insist on increasing the percentage we pay for health care, eroding any wage increase.

On the issue of performance pay our union insists on full and fair across the board increases for all bargaining unit members. Organized labor has always maintained this as a principle of fairness. What has become clear is that systems like the one Temple Administration wants to introduce have a great potential to be unfair and discriminatory. Women, minorities and older workers do badly under this system. It is troubling that some Temple Administrators want to convert to a system that has such a long and problematic history. The Union questions the judgment and leadership of those that would take us down such a path.

The most effective way to let Temple know what we think of their plan is to come to the Rally on Tuesday April 1(see flyer on back). We have a great deal of support from the other Unions on campus, but this is our fight and we must stand up and demand a fair contract. Show up at NOON Sharp at the Bell Tower. We stand strong when we stand together.

In Solidarity

Paul L. Dannenfelser
President AFSCME/Local 1723