Before diving into this bargaining update, we’d like to express solidarity with the people of Minnesota and condemn the Trump administration’s lethal violence against communities across the country. Many people in our own SSAP, RPSP, and broader UC communities are impacted by the ongoing terrorization of immigrant communities, and it is more important than ever to continue caring for each other and taking collective action. You can read our union’s larger statement of solidarity here.
Bargaining Update
Last week, SSAPs and RPSPs had our 18th Bargaining Session from 1/21-1/23. Most contract articles are in management’s court and staff continue to wait for a response. However, we did manage to reach a tentative agreement on a strong Work-Incurred Illness and Injury article, to ensure the rights of staff who need to take leave due after being hurt on the job.
Unfortunately, while we continue to show up in good faith, management continues to act unlawfully and push us towards an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) strike authorization vote. Nothing is preventing management from following the law, bargaining in good faith, and agreeing to a fair contract that allows staff to do our best work serving the mission of the university. But their unlawful labor practices, like withholding critical information, make it impossible to make meaningful progress on many of our most important issues. It’s time for management to side with staff.
SSAPs and RPSPs are escalating our campaign with a ULP Strike Authorization Vote (SAV), February 5th-13th. Hundreds of staff have already pledged to a powerful “Yes” vote on February 5th. If you haven’t already, take a minute to sign the pledge now.
The level of participation in this ULP Strike Authorization Vote will directly signal to management how quickly they need to resolve their unfair labor practices so that we can reach a fair agreement. There’s no more important time than these next two weeks to participate in your union and our contract campaign.
Each and every RPSP and SSAP (YES, that includes you!) can help this effort succeed by signing this pledge, sharing it with co-workers, and getting you and your team ready to vote Yes on February 5th.
Got questions? Check out our FAQ or connect with a member of your campus bargaining team to schedule a meeting.
In Audre Lorde’s poem, A Litany for Survival, she wrote, “Alone we are afraid, together we are feared.” Now is the time for solidarity and taking action.
