Get Herald RSSThe University and Dining Services union negotiators failed to agree on a new contract in time for last night's midnight deadline, and a federal mediator will help broker an agreement, according to Michael Chapman, vice president for public affairs and University relations.
University negotiators and representatives from Service Employees International Union Local 615, which represents Dining Services workers, agreed to extend the current contract until Wednesday while the federal mediator is brought in for further negotiations, which will begin Monday, according to Chapman. The SEIU had a written contract extension already prepared at Thursday's meeting, he said.
"The outstanding key issues for our workers and members are that the University is only offering a 2.75-percent wage increase, but we don't believe that reflects the prosperity of the University," said Roxanna Rivera, director of SEIU Local 615. "Secondly, the University was holding to its call for workers to increase their (health insurance) premiums and co-pays."
"We are committed on our end to negotiating until we have an agreement," Rivera said. Asked whether workers were optimistic, Rivera said, "We're going to have to see at the end of the day Wednesday, and our members will meet (today) and next Thursday. At that point, we will share with our members what the last offer was and see where we go from there."
Chapman told The Herald the University reached a five-year agreement with Facilities Management employees late Thursday afternoon. The new agreement covers approximately 240 full-time unionized workers, who are represented by the United Service and Allied Workers of Rhode Island. "The contract includes a competitive wage and benefits package that is fair, appropriate, fiscally responsible and equitable to others," Chapman said in a prepared statement. "The contract is consistent with the University's commitment to remain an employer of choice."
-Ross Frazier
