For this installment of APA Questions From The Trenches, we asked APA President Maury Koffman to highlight the changes in the recently ratified APA 2015 – 2019 contract.
Was anything done with wages?
Yes and no. The APA October annual wage increase is determined through a separate wage and health care agreement previously negotiated and ratified by the APA membership in 2013. The change in this round of negotiation is ensuring the 1% October 2016 base wage increase is applied across-the-board with no merit portion applied in 2016.
Was a paid maternity/paternity leave discussed at the bargaining table.
Yes, repeatedly. The APA membership bargaining survey clearly expressed desire by APA members to enhance benefits that could be connected to maternity/paternity leave. While the University made it clear they have no desire to consider a paid maternity/paternity leave, the APA was able to empower members by lifting the maximum vacation time accrual to a total of 240 hours for all APA members regardless of number of years of service at MSU. Over two years of employment, that means an individual can accrue 50 paid days off (24 vacation and 26 sick).
Â
Were any changes made to sick leave?
Yes. Sick leave accrual was increased to a maximum of 1,400 hours up from our previous max of 1,200.
What was done with dental coverage?
Modifications were made to ensure that the current Aetna DMO dental plan will continue without a member monthly premium share. While enhances were proposed to the Delta Dental plan, no changes were made to the Delta Dental plan.
Â
How did the APA address educational assistance and professional development?
Modifications were made to ensure that release time may be granted for up to 5 hours per week even if the individual is not taking classes at MSU. Additionally, changes were made allowing use of the $800 annual professional development money to be used towards credit bearing classes provided the professional development is job related and approved by your supervisor.
What changes were made for all APA members regarding documents in the official HR personnel file?
The changes enhance APA employment rights by requiring counseling memorandums be held exclusively in departmental HR folders and not transferred to the central HR Personnel Folder.
Were any improvements in job protections for off-date employees secured through the recent contract changes?
Yes. Changes were made to enhanced off-date job protections for individual members who sign a contract directly with MSU that on day one of employment defines their final date of employment at MSU unless their contract is renewed. The language change adds job security rights for these members by ensuring that as long as the individual has worked for two (2) years or more at MSU when their contract is not renewed, that for twelve (12) months they will be guaranteed the right and access to interview for positions in which they meet the minimum qualifications and apply.
How long does the new contract last?
The newly ratified contact is in effect now to September 30, 2019.
Who should I call with my additional questions?
APA members should feel free to contact the APA office at 517.353.4898 or via email at [email protected] with any questions or concerns.