The University of Alaska system and United Academics Local 4996 are entering federal mediation in January after reaching an impasse in contract negotiations. The current three-year agreement expires at the end of the month.
Bargaining parties say they’re hopeful, though the outcome will depend on funding being included in the next state budget . ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - The University of Alaska system and the union representing nearly 1,100 faculty members and postdoctoral fellows are headed into federal mediation in January.
The bargaining parties announced a deadlock in negotiations earlier this month, and agreed to the federal mediation process, as the current three-year contract is set to expire at the end of the month. Representatives of both the university and United Academics Local 4996 told the Alaska Beacon they are hopeful. “Both UNAC and the university felt that mediation would help us build on the progress that we’d already made towards that new contract,” said Jonathon Taylor, public affairs director for the University of Alaska system. “And increase the likelihood that we would be able to agree on a completed contract before some important state budget deadlines this coming spring.” Bargaining began in August, and so far the parties have tentatively agreed to 17 of 22 contract provisions. The terms must be submitted to the Legislature no later than March 21, 2025, to be considered for the next state budget. Union President Jill Dumesnil pointed to high costs of living, particularly in Southeast Alaska. “Faculty members can barely afford to live in the communities in which they work and are living paycheck to paycheck,” said Dumesnil, a professor of mathematics at the University of Alaska Southeast. “One tragedy, one flood, one power outage, one big snowstorm away from, you know, catastrophe,” she said. “So it’s really important that our members get significant pay raises.” The union has proposed raising wages by 4%, 4.5% and 5% annually over the next three years, while the university administration has proposed 2.75%, 3% and 3% increases. Dumesnil said university faculty have been hit hard by inflation, and argue that without any raise in wages it’s like a pay cu
UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS FACULTY UNION FEDERAL MEDIATION STATE BUDGET
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