GEO (UAW Local 2322) reaches tentative agreement with UMass

[Bill McBlueState]

My union, the Graduate Employee Organization, part of UAW Local 2322, reached tentative agreement today on our 7th contract with UMass-Amherst.

It was an unusual negotiation cycle. Deval Patrick instructed the University to bargain one-year contracts with all the UMass unions instead of the usual 3-year contracts. Since our previous contract already expired, this new contract will expire at the end of August. Essentially, we'll be back at the table in a few weeks.

The hurried schedule meant that in the end, neither side made dramatic gains. We didn't get our more progressive proposals across, but they didn't get any significant takebacks, either.

We basically got a middle-of-the-road offer for one year of raises, plus a side letter that acknowledges our right to bargain in the future over the reduction of mandatory fees. It's nice to lock in the raises and put an end to this round of negotiations.

We'll have a ratification vote next week.

[Omaha Steve]

1. Congratulations

I think. :-)

[Bill McBlueState]

2. yeah, this is good news

I came off sounding kind of ambivalent about it, but it feels good to reach an agreement. :) Raises will be nice.