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Board Considers
Bargaining Agreements, Domestic Partner Benefits And Rate Increases
The WIU Board of Trustees will consider two
employee collective bargaining contracts, an expansion of benefits
for domestic partners of employees and increases in room, board
and fee rates for incoming students at Western's Friday, Nov.
15 meeting in the University Union Capitol Rooms.
The WIU Board will begin with the finance
committee meeting starting at 8:30 a.m. The academic and
student services committee meeting will follow and the full Board
meeting will start at approximately 11:15 a.m., after committee
sessions. An executive session will be held in accordance with
the provisions of the Open Meetings Act. The open meeting will
resume at approximately 12:30 p.m., following the executive
session.
Collective bargaining agreements with local
417 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal
Employees (AFSCME) and the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police
(FOP) Labor Council are on the agenda. The University and AFSME
reached tentative agreement on a four-year contract which calls
for the same base hourly rates currently in effect for the first
year of the contract. In the event funding becomes available or
another employee group receives an increase the parties agree
to meet and bargain. The second year of the agreement calls for
an across-the-board wage increase based on the percentage appropriated
for general and supplemental salary increases in FY04. There are
approximately 155 employees covered by the agreement.
The FOP agreement covers approximately 20
employees in public safety positions at the University. The parties
agreed to remain at the pay schedule currently in effect with
the understanding that in the event funding becomes available
or another employee group receives an increase, the parties agree
to meet and bargain.
The Board will consider a six percent increase
in residence hall room and board rates for students entering the
University in Fall 2003. The double occupancy room and board rate
for students entering Western in Fall 2002 is $5,062. The new
rate for the same living option would be increased by $304 to
$5,366 annually in Fall 2003. A 4.8 percent increase in mandatory
student fees from the Fall 2002 rate of $516.45 to $541.20 is
also proposed for incoming students. The room and board rates
are part of the Western four-year costs guarantee to incoming
students. Students who enter Western are guaranteed they will
pay the same rate for tuition, fees and on-campus room and board
for their four years of continuous enrollment. Additional information
will be presented to the Board addressing financial risk, surveying
constituents and marketing strategies for Western's costs guarantee.
The Board will hear the first reading of
a change in bylaws that would include domestic partners of employees
in University benefits regarding use of employee leave, educational
benefits and other categories under the jurisdiction of Western's
Board of Trustees. University benefits provided to employees by
Board policy are separate from those employee benefits determined
by the State of Illinois.
Other items on the Board agenda include
first reading of a bylaws change regarding the accumulation of
additional sick leave by administrative professionals, release
of closed session minutes and reports from University officials.
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