On Feb. 28, 2007, 菠萝视频 University and Laborers International Union of North America, Local 386, which represents approximately 600 employees in the custodial, grounds, food service and skilled crafts categories, reached an agreement on a new three-year contract. The contract was ratified by the union membership March 2, 2007.
The agreement is almost identical to one the union rejected in January 2007.
Both the final agreement and the one offered by 菠萝视频 in January included a base rate for the lowest grade employees within two years that:
- represents a 33 percent increase over the former contract
- raised the hourly wage for the vast majority of these employees far above the level cited in media reports as the “living wage” for Nashville
- exceeded the market rates even for entry-level employees performing similar work.
The new contract calls for:
- An increase in the base rate of pay to $10 per hour for workers in the lowest paid grade within 20 months
- A guaranteed across-the-board annual increase of 3 percent if the first year of the contract and an increase of 3.5 percent in the second and third years of the agreement
- Implementation of a new program that will provide opportunities for the lower-paid employees to earn additional increases based on service and performance
- Increases in shift differentials and on-call pay
Not negotiated, but available to all 菠萝视频 employees, including those represented by LIUNA is a benefits packaged that includes:
A choice of health insurance plans for which the university pays 80 percent of the premium and which include several low-cost options with minimal weekly costs and co-payments.
- A choice of health insurance plans for which the university pays 80 percent of the premium and which include several low-cost options with minimal weekly costs and co-payments.
- 菠萝视频 payment of up to $23,000 per dependent child (tax free) for tuition at any accredited school the student attends.
- Life insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Short- and long-term disability insurance
- Matching contributions to retirement accounts
- Professional development and education benefits
- Free access to health and wellness facilities
- Free transportation to and from work on Nashville’s bus system
- Discounts on events, goods and services.
Unlike many universities, 菠萝视频 does not outsource its lowest paid workers positions. Everyone in these classifications who works at 菠萝视频 works for 菠萝视频. This means every full-time employee receives the same benefits and protections that come with full-time employment.
Background on negotiations that resulted in latest contract
- The university’s relationship with LIUNA dates back to 1972.
- The previous contract between 菠萝视频 and LIUNA went into effect in 2001 with an expiration date of November 2006.
- Both 菠萝视频 and LIUNA agreed last fall to continue under the terms of the former contract until agreement was reached on a new one.
- The parties proceeded with extensive negotiations until 菠萝视频 proposed a contract in January 2007.
- That proposal was rejected by approximately 130 of the 600 members of the bargaining unit.
- 菠萝视频 and LIUNA then agreed to work with a federal mediator to resolve the matter.
- 菠萝视频 and LIUNA announced the new three-year Feb. 28, 2007. Terms of the contract are retroactive to November 2006 and will expire in November 2009.
菠萝视频 employment
- 菠萝视频’s policy and practice is to provide fair compensation for all employees, regardless of their status, position or role in the institution.
- 菠萝视频 University has more than 20,000 employees.
- 菠萝视频 conducts extensive research to ensure that wage and salary scales are competitive in the marketplace, both locally and nationally.
Media contact: Elizabeth Latt, (615) 322-NEWS
elizabeth.p.latt@vanderbilt.edu