The University of Akron Board of Trustees and The University of Akron Chapter of The American Association of University Professors have concluded the process of negotiating a new labor agreement by affirmative ratification votes of both parties. The membership of the Akron-AAUP voted in favor of ratification in an electronic vote that ended Wednesday, March 23. The University’s Board of Trustees approved the agreement at a special Board meeting held today.
UA Board of Trustees Chairman Jonathan T. Pavloff, said, “On behalf of the Board and the administration, we are gratified that we have come to terms on a long-term agreement that resolves a number of outstanding issues and details a path forward for an even more productive working relationship. Throughout this process, the negotiating teams collaborated as colleagues to find areas of agreement for the betterment of the University and we appreciate their efforts.”
Akron-AAUP President John Zipp, Ph.D., commented, “Having a contract that takes us through 2020 is an important step forward and it should lend a great deal of much needed stability to faculty-administration relations. The Akron-AAUP looks forward to working with the BOT and the administration in meaningful ways to strengthen the core educational mission of The University of Akron.”
As soon as the agreement is executed by both parties, it will be made available.
Overview of University of Akron – Akron-AAUP Contract Agreement
Pending the preparation and execution of the complete collectively bargained agreement, the following overview highlights some of the key aspects of the new agreement.
Moving forward, the new contract provides raises averaging 2.4% a year and modest increases in employee obligations regarding health coverage. The university policy of providing health coverage for dependents of retirees hired before 1992 remains in place. Also included are improvements in such areas as initial hiring, retention, tenure and promotion, professional development leaves, non-tenure track faculty and distance learning, along with the establishment of a “Joint Policy Committee” that will provide opportunities for continuing dialogue on important issues facing UA.