Labor Relations

UA Begins Federal Mediation on New CBA with UNAC this Month

January 10, 2025

The Latest: UA and United Academics (UNAC) will begin mediation this month as work continues toward a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA). 

  • Why It Matters: Mediation will allow UA and UNAC to build on the significant progress that’s already been made and address outstanding issues on which we’ve been unable to reach agreement in a fruitful, productive way. 
  • UA is optimistic about the mediation process and reaching agreement on a complete CBA before key budget deadlines later this semester.

Catch Up Quick: UA and UNAC have been negotiating a new contract since August. 

  • Negotiating teams have reached tentative agreement (TA) on 17 of the 22 contract articles, and mutually agreed to seek federal mediation to help reach agreement on the remaining 5. 
  • UA’s contract with UNAC expired at the end of last year, but remains in force as negotiation and mediation continue. 

Zoom Out: Negotiations are taking place in an atmosphere of restrained state spending and rising fixed costs in areas like healthcare, utilities, and cybersecurity.

  • The FY26 budget proposal approved by the Board of Regents in November reflects UA’s need to keep our budgetary requests to the state narrow and focused.
  • The Big Picture: School districts and municipal governments around the state have made difficult decisions on healthcare and other issues over the past year to address budget shortfalls. UA leaders are seeking a sustainable contract that makes sudden, drastic changes like those far more unlikely for our ÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æs.

Zoom In: The most significant areas where UA and UNAC remain far apart are monetary terms, namely compensation and benefits. 

  • Importantly, those are also items on which agreement must be reached in time for the Governor’s budget office to review before the March 21, 2025, deadline for submission to the Legislature for inclusion in the University’s budget that begins July 1, 2025.
  • UA’s latest proposal includes higher salary minimums and across-the-board increases of 2.75%, 3%, and 3% for FY26, FY27, and FY28, respectively.
  • UNAC’s compensation proposal is projected to cost nearly $113 million over the contract period, exceeding UA’s proposal by roughly $40 million.
  • Striking a Balance: The Board and President Pitney understand that compensation is a key issue for recruitment and retention, but must balance it with our and the state’s budget constraints.

What’s Next: Mediation sessions begin next week, with dates scheduled through the end of January. UA is optimistic about the process and reaching agreement on outstanding issues in a reasonable amount of time.

  • Operational Impacts: In the short term, no major operational shifts are expected.  Classes will begin this semester and continue as usual with no disruptions, consistent with the agreed-upon ground rules and ÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ law.

Notable Dates:

  • January 21, 2025 – Legislative session begins
  • March 21, 2025 – Bargaining unit monetary terms due to the Legislature

The Bottom Line: Mutually seeking mediation will help UA and UNAC build on progress made toward a new contract and address outstanding issues productively. It also keeps us on the path to reaching agreement before the key March 21, 2025 deadline for monetary terms to be submitted to the Legislature.

Visit /hr/labor/labor-relations/unac.php for updates on the progress of negotiations throughout this semester.