March 4, 2021

SEIU Local 73 Negotiations – March 4 Bargaining Update

As you know, the initial collective bargaining agreement between Loyola University Chicago and SEIU Local 73 covering our non-tenure-track (NTT) and part-time faculty is set to expire on June 30, 2021. With the goal of ratifying a new contract before the current one expires, the two sides met yesterday for their first bargaining session. Bargaining sessions are currently scheduled every week for the next eight weeks, but the schedule may change, and additional bargaining sessions may be held.

The two sides have worked very well together under the current contract, and the goal is to secure a new collective bargaining agreement that continues to work for Loyola, our represented faculty, and the Union. 

Loyola’s negotiating team is being led by John Frendreis, who co-led the 2018 negotiations and agreed to come out of retirement to lead these sessions as well. We deeply value the contributions of our non-tenure-track (NTT) full-time and part-time faculty and are committed to bargaining in good faith. 

Yesterday’s session was respectful and productive, focusing on a number of non-economic proposals.

At yesterday’s session, Loyola did not propose any changes or updates to the existing collective bargaining agreement between Loyola University Chicago and SEIU 73.

SEIU Local 73 made a number of non-economic proposals, which were discussed by both parties:

• Article 14.9-Union Orientation – The Union proposed adding a thirty (30) minute session to any mandatory employee orientation program where designated Union representatives could provide an overview of the Union and its program to new faculty members who would be part of the bargaining unit.
• Article 17-Professional Development – The Union proposed two amendments to Article 17, including:
• 1 Professional Development Fund: The Union proposed adding membership fees and technological equipment to the list of eligible expenses within the Professional Development Fund for Unionized Faculty members who have completed their probationary period.
• 2 Application and Approval Process: The Union proposed increasing the maximum reimbursement for an individual Unionized Faculty member from $600 to $1,000 per fiscal year. The Union also proposed that, if by March 1 more than $10,000 remains in the Professional Development Fund, members will be able to apply to use the funds a second time.
• Article 25.7-Probationary Period for New Hires – The Union proposed reducing the probationary period for full-time Unionized Faculty members from two (2) years to one (1) year and reducing the probationary period for part-time Unionized Faculty members from four (4) teaching semester to two (2). The Union also proposed adding language to note if a Unionized Faculty member has a gap in service of less than five (5) years, their previous time teaching at Loyola will be counted toward their probationary period. Finally, the Union proposed for any Temporary Faculty member who subsequently becomes full-time Unionized Faculty, each year of service as a Temporary Faculty member shall be credited as 0.5 years of probationary service.
• Article 25.5B-Non-Reappointment – The Union proposed increasing the time period for when Loyola must provide written notice of non-renewal of contracts for full-time Unionized Faculty members (other than Temporary Faculty), part-time Unionized Faculty members and Adjunct Instructors from March 15^th of the year of the expiration of the current contract to at least twelve (12) months prior to the expiration date of the current contract.
• Article 25.4-Term of Appointment – The Union proposed allowing the awarding of the honor of emeritus or emerita status to a full-time member of the full-time Unionized Faculty upon the member’s retirement from Loyola after having rendered distinguished service to the University for at least ten (10) years
• Article 25 B-Part-Time Unionized Faculty – The Union proposed three amendments to Article 25 B, including:
• 2 One (1) Year Part-Time Appointments – The Union proposed that Loyola provide Unionized Faculty Members on a one (1) year part-time appointment receive their appointment letters (with tentative class assignments and schedule) no later than July 1 for the following Academic Year.
• 3 Status as “Adjunct Instructors” – The Union proposed that Loyola provide Unionized Faculty Members who have been designated as “Adjunct Instructors” would receive their appointment letters including tentative class assignments and schedule no later than May 1 for the following Academic Year.
• 4 Emeritus Appointments – The Union proposed allowing the awarding of the honor of emeritus or emerita status to a member of the part-time Unionized Faculty upon the member’s retirement from Loyola after having rendered distinguished service to the University for at least ten (10) years.

Loyola hopes to have written proposals responding to the above proposals from the Union and will make non-economic proposals of its own for the next bargaining session on Wednesday, March 10.  

What’s Next?
Loyola and SEIU Local 73 will meet for our next bargaining session on Wednesday, March 10. During this process, we are committed to ongoing and transparent communications with you. From now on, we will email you an update after each bargaining session and will post the same update to LUC.edu/bargaining. This is a contract for College of Arts and Sciences faculty, and it’s important that our faculty be kept fully up to date on negotiations.