The union that represents scores of Black Hawk College faculty and staff has announced its intention to strike Monday if a contract agreement is not reached.þþFor about a year, college administrators and members of IFT Local 1836, comprised of about 160 full-time faculty and staff from the Quad-Cities and East campuses, have been negotiating.The union has not had a contract since the summer.þþThe union accused Black Hawk's administration of dragging its feet.þþÿThis should have been done, could have been done, in a time frame much shorter than a year,ÿ Acie Earl, the union spokesman, said on Tuesday.þþThe union does not believe the administration has moved far enough from its original position, he said.þþBlack Hawk's administration remained hopeful on Tuesday that an agreement could be reached as talks continue, according to the college.þþBlack Hawk did not release further details about the state of negotiations.þþEarl has said the union wanted to see an increase in pay for its members comparable to increases for administrators.þþThe union has worked with the administration to help Black Hawk through recent years of financial challenges, he said previously. The college's monetary outlook has improved, and the union would like to share in that improvement.þþþEarlier this month, Amy Maxeiner, Black Hawk’s vice president for instruction and student services, said the administration is after a fair contract that allows for Black Hawk’s concerns that tuition is dropping because of declining enrollment and that state funding may be uncertain.þþThere were meetings between the two sides scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, Wednesday and Thursday, Earl and the college said.þþA strike is still not a certainty, according to Earl. The union would still prefer another resolution.þþÿI think a large part of that will depend on the (Board of Trustees') position today,ÿ he said ahead of Tuesday's planned meeting.þþEarlier in March, Black Hawk's trustees approved a resolution that spelled out actions the administration intended to take should the union strike.þþEmployees who walk off the job will:þþnot be paid for days missed.þnot receive retirement credit.þnot receive paid leave during the duration of a strike.þnot have access to college computers, technology and email.þnot be allowed in any college buildings unless in the role of a student or as a parent.þbe responsible for paying all of their health, life and disability insurance premiums.þAt the time, John Erwin, Black Hawk's interim president, said the college needed the resolution for liability reasons and to protect the college and its property.
Source: Quad City Times
