SEIU, College negotiators reach agreement on contract

Aaron Biberstein Contributing Editor

Negotiations between Vassar College and Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 200 United ended in a settlement on the morning of Saturday, Sept. 10. Representatives from both bargaining teams agreed to renew their existing contract for another three years (running from July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2008) with several key changes.

At the end of this period, the College will begin the process again, entering into negotiations with SEIU in order to update the contract. The settlement will be approved as official policy, pending a ratification vote by SEIU workers scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 16.
“We’re pretty happy about the agreement,” said Arlene Krikelis, a cook at ACDC. During the negotiating period, SEIU workers lobbied for admittance into a defined benefit multi-employer post-retirement health plan provided by the union, entitled Local1199. The College did not want to accept this proposal, citing worries over financial liability. In the end, with the promise of a more limited retiree health plan and a wage boost, the union capitulated, abandoning Local1199 for this contract round.

The renegotiated contract extended existing benefits, including free health care for employees and their dependents, for the next three years. It increased the College’s contribution to the National Benefit Fund, from which active retiree medical expenses are paid at a rate of 20.35 percent of gross monthly payroll for full-time employees.

SEIU workers will receive a retroactive wage boost of four percent in 2006, three percent in 2006, and another three percent in 2007, meaning that the wage increases will apply to all employees’ careers.
While the College rejected the defined benefit Local1199 retiree health benefit, an alternative plan is included in the renewed contract. Employees retiring within the next three years are offered two options. They can choose a fully paid single health insurance plan, which runs out after a period of 5 years, or they can take a contribution of $3,200 per year for up to ten years to help cover medical expenses.

In addition, SEIU workers received an increase in their pension plan. “I feel this is ultimately a good outome for the union and the College,” said Director of Human Resources Sarah Hoger. “We believe we have addressed the union’s main priority of retiree health benefits by providing access to group rates, an incentive that provides for choice of fully paid single coverage for a limited time, or fixed dollar coverage for a longer period of time.”

The negotiating period leading up to the settlement was a tense time for both SEIU and the College. On Thursday, Sept. 8, students organized a protest which peaked at 100 participants in support of SEIU and Local1199 retiree health coverage. “We want to let the administration know that we won’t go about our daily routines if there isn’t a contract that meets employees’ needs,” said Cristina Coupal ’07, a rally organizer at the protest.

However, despite the confrontations of Sept. 8, SEIU employees expressed excitement for the new contract.

“I wanted 1199, but I’m happy with the settlement,” said Cathy Bradford, a worker at ACDC, a member of the negotiating team.

Commenting on the negotiations and settlement, President Fran Fergusson said, “[The renegotiation] became a little more public than it needed to be, but [there was] a very good conclusion that I hope will be favorable in the eyes of SEIU members. I respect and know personally many of our SEIU employees and I think they do a great job.”