Representatives of the Board of Governors and ULFA met on May 8, 9, 10, and 14 to continue negotiations. The extended sessions saw the two sides reach agreements-in-principle on most remaining articles (As always, you can follow the progress of individual articles here):
May 8
12 Criteria for Extension of Probation, Tenure, Promotion and Salary Increments for Faculty Members
May 9
11 Rights and Responsibilities
26 Termination of Appointment for Financial Emergency or Due to Program Redundancy
May 10
25 Supervision and Discipline
May 14
MoU Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (NEW)
34 Leaves of Absence
Schedule K Maternity Leave Examples
At this point, the two sides have yet to reach formal agreement-in-principle on two articles and schedules: Article 2 (Definitions) and Schedule S (replacing the current Schedule R), in which the two sides conclude bargaining and commit themselves to recommending the concluded agreement for ratification. The two sides hope to reach final agreement on these items and the agreement as a whole on Tuesday May 21–slightly more than a year after negotiations began on April 24, 2018. The first exchanges of language took place on May 11, 2018.
The next step once agreement on all articles is reached is for the agreement-in-principle to be recommended by the bargaining teams to their principals for ratification. In the case of ULFA this process involves presenting the agreement-in-principle to the ULFA executive and, with the executive’s recommendation, to the ULFA membership for a ratification vote. Ratification will require a special meeting of the membership in order to move and second the motion for ratification by electronic ballot. More information about this special meeting will be communicated to the membership after final agreement-in-principle is reached. Members will also be provided with access to the proposed agreement, as well as detailed and summary accounts of the proposed changes.