The American Association of University Professors at Kent State (AAUP-KSU) sent the details of a fact-finding report on Tuesday in an email to its members. The report outlines the mediation between Kent State and AAUP-KSU over disagreements on salary and medical benefits in a new collective bargaining agreement.

The fact-finder, Gregory James Van Pelt, took both sides’ arguments into consideration and drew up independent conclusions. The issued report, which was the basis for a tentative contract agreement, outlines the mediator’s arguments in detail. 

Salary

The previous tenure-track contract awarded a 2 percent salary increase each consecutive year for three years. AAUP-KSU wanted a rate hike of 3 percent for the 2015-2016 academic year, 4 percent for 2016-2017 and 3 percent for 2017-2018. The university countered with 2 percent for 2015-2016, and 1.5 percent for 2017-2018. 

The mediator decided on 2 percent for each year, a compromise for both sides. 

In addition to the yearly salary percentages, a merit based award agreement was under contention. AAUP-KSU proposed a 2 percent award; Kent State proposed a 1.5 percent award and the fact-finder ruled in favor of AAUP-KSU.

Medical Benefits

The other main sticking point for the collective bargaining agreement between the university and AAUP-KSU was a provision under the medical benefits package. Kent State introduced an argument stating spouses and domestic partners of faculty members, if eligible, must enroll in their own employer’s health coverage.

AAUP-KSU rejected the provision and the fact-finder agreed stating: “There is, indeed, some basis for the AAUP’s assertion that the University’s spousal proposal … is  the ‘harshest’ of all comparable provisions submitted.”

What’s Next 

AAUP-KSU will begin voting today to accept or decline the new tentative agreement derived from the fact-finders report. The members have until midnight Friday to cast their votes.

Karl Schneider is the admin reporter for the Kent Stater. Contact him at [email protected]