August 24 Update

Report From The Table Team: August 24 Negotiations

Negotiations started late again as the administration arrived at 11:15 am.  We began by confirming two half-day bargaining dates in September, the 16th and 23rd.  We had hoped to bargain weekly and offered to meet multiple dates each week, so their proposed schedule of two half-days continues the well-established and disrespectful strategy of delay.  It also represents a three-week hiatus between this coming Wednesday’s session (the 26th) and the next.

The administration's team gave us three counter proposals today: Non-Academic Leaves; Faculty Retention and Additional Salary; and Appointment, Renewal, and Notice. These were in response to proposals we brought to the table last August and September (2025).

 Their proposal on Non-Academic Leaves inserts current University policies, such as FMLA or Sick and Bereavement Leave, into the contract while retaining the Administration’s right to revise these unilaterally.

 The Faculty Retention and Additional Salary counter proposal seemingly aligns with the status quo of what often happens in practice, but would more clearly codify it in the contract.  It would allow the administration to make matching offers to retain faculty or make additional salary adjustments for justifiable reasons.

 Appointment, Renewal, and Notice is an important article because it’s the main place where we have tried to ensure greater job security and better (i.e., continuing) contracts for instructional faculty.  We need to study the effects of their proposal and urge all faculty, especially instructional faculty, to read it and provide the bargaining team with feedback.

At our next bargaining session on August 26, the administration is expected to finally respond to our proposals on Salary and Compensation and Faculty Rank and Classification. These counters will complete the administration’s response to all nine financial articles, and reveal whether it is prepared to invest in the faculty who make Ohio University work.

The stakes are high, and every bargaining unit member needs to be informed and ready to act. Review our proposals, scrutinize the administration’s counters, and see what we have won so far. Visit the UAOU Bargaining Tracker then talk with your colleagues and get ready to fight for the fair first contract we deserve. Be sure to join us at our next member meeting on August 26 and rally on the green on September 9.

If you have any questions or comments, reach out at unitedacademicsofou@gmail.com.

Our next scheduled negotiating date is Wednesday, August 26 (1pm – 5pm) at Baker Center.

Member Meeting

Join us after Wednesday’s bargaining session for our fall Member Meeting to get an update on negotiations, including where things stand on compensation and benefits, and a conversation about what members can do to help us win the strongest possible contract. RSVP

We will meet at 5:15 - 6:15 PM in Tupper Hall 307

Rally on the Green: September 9

The September 9 rally will be our first large action of the semester. Faculty, students, alumni, and supporters will come together to send a clear message to the Ohio University administration: Fair Contract Now. RSVP at https://www.uaou.org/september-rally

For more specific information regarding the proposals and tentative agreements, please see the proposal tracker at https://www.uaou.org/bargaining-tracker