Bargaining Updates: July 2024
Bargaining news from July 25
Joint Labor Management Committee
Our Bargaining team has reached a tentative agreement with management on this article! Read more about it in our Article Tracker.
Our bargaining team introduced four new articles:
Vacation, Sick Leave, Retirement, Governance and Financial Transparency and also introduced counter proposals on Article 1, Recognition and Article 2, Union Security.
Want to know more about these articles? Discuss them, and anything else relating to contract bargaining with members our bargaining team at drop-in office hours on Wednesday, July 31 from 12-2PM at the B1 Africa break room/conference room area.
Layoffs
Discussion continued over 3 involuntary layoffs, 1 person has decided to take VSP.
Bargaining news from July 18
Who was there
Our bargaining team: Marie Angel, Jasmine Bost, Gabby Farrer, Nat Kramm, Victoria Langlands,TR Malcom.
SEIU 1021 staff: Phil Ybarrolaza, Claude Joseph, and joining for the first time at a negotiating session, SEIU 1021 staff members Nato Green (as lead negotiator) and our new field representative Genevieve Vigil.
Contact Genevieve if your wages, hours, or working conditions have been changed without your agreement, or you are in need of representation for a disciplinary action.
genevieve.vigil@seiu1021.org, 415-361-1994.
Present from Academy management were:
Gina Roccanova (lawyer from Jackson Lewis), Michael Costanzo, Elayne Graylow, Ayat Elnoory, Melissa Felder, Elise Lindstrom.
Appendix A
We have reached a tentative agreement on what positions are represented by our union. The TA includes union representation for 5 positions in accounting, which management opposed prior to our representation election.
Article 4 - Union Representation
This article deals with the role of shop stewards, union access to the building, and leave for union business. Management brought a counter proposal to the table and walked our team through each change; our team asked clarifying questions.
In caucus, we formulated a counter to Article 4, and we provided it to management before the end of the session.
Layoffs
We discussed the involuntary layoff list once again and gained more clarity on paths forward.
We will continue to be in communication with the 4 individuals affected by layoff notices and remain committed to negotiating the best outcome for them.
Vending machine update
Management says it will be replaced in approximately 3 weeks. In the meantime, please keep using the honor system!
Bargaining news from July 11
Layoffs
We discussed potential pathways to resolution and it was a productive negotiation. We will be in contact with the four folks facing involuntary layoff regarding next steps. No final decisions have been made and we remain committed to the best outcome for each individual.
We discussed the effects of the planetarium changes and expressed concerns about health and safety, and negative impact on guest/member/donor experience.
Contract
Appendix A - Recognition. This is the list of all positions that are union eligible. Still in negotiation; hope to have a tentative agreement (TA) soon.
We introduced language about a Joint Labor Management Committee; this committee will be composed of representatives from management and the bargaining unit to informally resolve issues, and you can learn more about them in our article tracker.
Management told our bargaining team that they were unaware that they had not given us their Finance Committee approved budget for FY 24-25 (the Finance Committee is a sub-committee of the Board of Trustees). We asked management for the budget on May 23 and again on June 13th. At negotiations on July 11, they promised to provide this information expeditiously.
Other issues
Multiple personnel issues were discussed and resolved.
We discussed the broken vending machine in the L3E break room. Management said they would look into the issue to see if it needs to be repaired or replaced, with us emphasizing that we need to get the machine working as soon as possible, because some staff rely on the vending machines as an important source of affordable nutrition on site. Management asked the bargaining team for a proposal to include in our contract regarding its funds and management. In the interim, staff are stocking drinks in the fridge and payment is on the honor system. We would like for staff to continue to staff this project and are discussing options for the future. What would this look like in an ideal situation to you?
A successful unity break
We really enjoyed seeing the unity break on the 11th and you lifted our spirits. It was such a success and we’re so proud of all of you and what an amazing turnout it was! Please check in with us if you have any concerns.
And remember:
Wear your CAWU button every day
Wear your CAWU shirt on Thursdays
Sign up for membership here and talk with your colleagues about why it matters
Share our community letter writing campaign with your friends, family, and community connections
Follow the CAWU article tracker and speak to your representative on the bargaining team or a CAT activist about your issues and concerns.
