The University of Alaska system and its faculty union are entering federal mediation as contract negotiations reach a standstill. Both parties are hopeful the process will lead to a new contract before important state budget deadlines in spring 2025. Key sticking points include wage increases, with the union seeking significant raises to address the high cost of living, particularly in Southeast Alaska, while the university administration proposes smaller increases.
Sunset hues color the sky and the snow at the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus on Feb. 26, 2024.
“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.”
“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.” “We also are grappling with some increasing costs as far as health care, and health care benefits are concerned,” Taylor said. The university’s employer-sponsored health coverage costs have increased almost 25% since 2023, he noted. He cited a“So we know that even as we are working to do what we can to address compensation, we also have to be mindful of other rising fixed costs and account for those as well,” he said.
The bargaining parties are also keeping in mind that the negotiations’ outcome ultimately depends on the state Legislature and Gov. Mike Dunleavy agreeing on funding., university President Pat Pitney raised a concern that the union’s compensation proposal would cost $113 million over three years, an estimated $40 million more than the university proposal.
University Of Alaska Faculty Union Contract Negotiation Federal Mediation Cost Of Living
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