TO:  Board of Regents

FROM:   Sue Hill, Director, Labor Relations and Personnel

RE:  Approval of Tentative Agreement with the University Faculty Association, The University of Montana

DATE:  July 10-11, 2003

Attached is a summary of the tentative agreement with the University Faculty Association (UFA). The UFA bargaining unit includes approximately 500 faculty at The University of Montana-Missoula. The attached summary only addresses modifications to the prior agreement. The entire agreement can be viewed at https://mus.edu/hr/cba/collbarg.html.

The compensation portion of the tentative agreement funds promotions in 2004 and 2005 at the same level as in prior agreements. The size of merit awards was reduced from $2,253 in 2003 to $2,000 in 2004 and 2005. The number of merit awards was reduced from 74 in 2003 to 70 in 2004 and 40 in 2005. The reduction in the merit awards is considered a temporary measure taken in response to budget shortfalls. The intent is to restore them to prior levels in the subsequent agreement. Merits and promotions will be implemented on November 1st in both years. The savings from the reduction in merit awards was used to fund a $500.00 across-the-board increase for all full-time faculty, to be implemented on February 1, 2005.

If the bargaining unit has not voted to ratify the tentative agreement prior to the July Regent meeting, this item will be withdrawn. I recommend approval of the tentative agreement with the University Faculty Association, subject to union ratification.