The Kent State University Board of Trustees and Kent State University Employees Local 153, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) accepted the Fact Finding Report in connection with the collective bargaining agreement between the university and AFSCME. The Fact Finding Report was approved by a majority of AFSCME members voting on July 27.
Under the approved Fact Finding Report, the university and AFSCME will now execute a two-year collective bargaining agreement that will run through Sept. 30, 2019. Under the agreement, represented employees will receive a 2 percent wage increase retroactive to Oct. 1, 2017, and a 1.5 percent increase on Oct. 1, 2018. The university will also provide each employee a one-time $250 bonus in year one of the contract and a one-time $200 bonus in year two.
“We are pleased to bring this collaboration to a mutually satisfying conclusion for a highly valued group of employees that significantly contributes to the university’s success,” says Mark Polatajko, Ph.D., senior vice president for finance and administration.
The agreement includes robust healthcare options while still achieving a needed cost savings for the university. Represented employees will be able to choose from three strong healthcare options to meet their needs and those of their families. Moving forward, this agreement provides for vital preventive and wellness care to our employees and their families.
AFSCME represents approximately 384 employees in the bargaining unit covering classified positions of foodservice workers, cooks, maintenance workers, skilled trades and similar classifications.