UVM’s faculty union, administration declare impasse
A volley of updates from the University of Vermont's faculty union and administration on Tuesday said bargaining was at an impasse.
Both groups vied to gain the narrative on education costs versus compensation.
Thomas Streeter, president of United Academics said in a morning statement, "UVM is not broke," and the union's demands would not impact UVM's budget.
"Our analysis of the existing budget," Streeter stated, "shows that if UVM brought its spending on instruction and research into line with the average of other schools that the administration dubs UVM’s peers (schools similar to UVM), that would add $11.7 million annually to spending on instruction and research, which includes faculty salaries."
The university answered the union, stating current union faculty salaries are at or above market levels citing the Oklahoma State University faculty salary survey. The survey results are not publicly available.
According to the administration's statement, salary increases above 2 percent per year would mean tuition increases for students, and may lead to substantial budget reductions.
The union answered with its own analysis saying, "the Oklahoma State salary survey contains schools like branch campuses of Arkansas State, which UVM does not compare itself to for any other purposes."
The union said that according to the American Association of University Professors, UVM faculty salaries in the Doctoral 1 category in 2016 were 92 percent of the average, which is $103,715, according to the survey.
"A two percent raise would push us further back down the ladder, even in the Oklahoma State survey. We do not apologize for wanting to remain average," Streeter's statement on behalf of the union said.
UVM's administration stated the next step for both parties was finding a mutually acceptable outside mediator.
The last contract with United Academics ended on June 30, 2017. According to UVM, faculty talks for the next contract began seven months ago. Teachers rallied in February to demand higher wages to match salaries at peer universities.
On behalf of the union, Streeter thanked the negotiating team and community allies.
"It is unfortunate that we were unable to reach a fair contract through the bargaining process. We are confident in the strength of our union and the justice and reasonableness of our positions," Streeter's first statement said.
"The University strongly respects the collective bargaining process and will continue in good faith to work through the agreed upon process to achieve a successful conclusion," UVM's statement said.
UVM Faculty Union Press Release on Impasse Sept. 12, 2017
UVM Administration on Impasse Sept. 12, 2017 PDF
UA Impasse Press Release Number 2, Sept. 12