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Negotiation Basics

Learn more about the bargaining process, the University’s longstanding commitment to its staff, and how our operations work.

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The Bargaining Process

CAUSE-UAW is a newly formed bargaining unit, which means there is no current contract covering members. Once negotiated and ratified, this agreement will apply to all staff  who meet eligibility criteria at all three of UA’s universities – UAA, UAF, and UAS – and the System Office. 

1. Ground Rules Established

• • UA and CAUSE agree on how the teams will meet, exchange proposals, and ensure orderly and efficient negotiations. .

1. 1. 1. The parties have still been unable to agree on standard ground rules. CAUSE negotiators have repeatedly struck basic language about collaboration, civility, and respectful behavior despite UA working to accommodate their other concerns.

2. Negotiations Begin

   • Once a schedule is set, the teams start exchanging and discussing proposals on wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment. See the section below on proposals for details. 

     1. The parties begin negotiations with a clean slate.  An opening proposal is a starting point. It does not have to start at the status quo.

     2. UA and CAUSE began negotiating on June 25. Sessions followed on July 16 and July 22, with another scheduled for August 4. Five additional bargaining dates were proposed by UA and accepted by CAUSE.

3. Tentative Agreement

   • Sometimes called a “handshake,” this is reached when the two bargaining teams agree on contact terms. 

     1. The parties agree to “TA” a provision in order to whittle down the number of “open” provisions the parties are actively discussing. TA’d provisions do not become final agreements until approved as described below.

4. Board of Regents and Union Membership Review

   • UA administration presents the tentative agreement to the Board of Regents, and CAUSE presents it to eligible members under its own procedures.

     1. Remember: under ����ֱ����Ƶ Labor Law, all of the terms in a contract or tentative agreement must be submitted to the legislature for approval by the 60th legislative day, which would be March 21, 2027, to be considered for appropriation during the 2027 legislative session.

     2. This first agreement with CAUSE will also require approval by the Department of Law, which must happen before the monetary terms are submitted to the Legislature. 

5. Ratification

   • CAUSE members vote on the contract. It takes 50% plus one of votes cast (not the total amount of bargaining-unit members) to approve the contract. The Board of Regetnts must also approve the terms by a majority vote.

6. New Contract

   • The contract takes effect after ratification is complete. Monetary terms take effect after they are funded by the Legislature.

 

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