Brian Peach
Daily Egyptian
The Faculty Association's meeting with a University negotiating team on Tuesday was, yet again, unsuccessful in reaching any contract agreements between the two groups.
But after the previous 20 meetings, that was probably to be expected, and neither group is happy with the lack of progress for new faculty contracts that has been ongoing since February.
Faculty Association President Morteza Daneshdoost said the contracts were supposed to be finalized by the end of the spring semester, but now it doesn't even look like a decision will be reached by the start of fall semester.
"One of the concerns we have is that we are going to start the semester with a lot of uncertainty," Daneshdoost said. "We were hoping to have a mutual tentative agreement before fall semester starts, but unfortunately, I don't see that happening."
The tentative contract is a common goal between the groups, but Daneshdoost said even if one was drawn up, it could not be finalized until all faculty members return in the fall. Without the temporary contract, faculty will be teaching under the stipulations of the terms of their current one. All terms, with the exception of faculty salaries, will be left unchanged.
Should the administrative negotiation group and the Faculty Association come to an agreement, the SIU Board of Trustees would be responsible for ratifying the decision and approving any new expenditures brought on by the contracts.
The only way for the current contract to fail is if one of the two groups decides to void it. In which case, the void requires a 10-day notice expressing disapproval of the contract prior to it being cancelled.
Daneshdoost said the Faculty Association is attempting to deal with non-financial related issues before the financial ones in an effort to at least come to the easier decisions first.
Delays in forming new faculty contracts are not uncommon at SIUC. Past attempts at negotiations went on for more than a year before a decision was agreed upon between the groups.
"The longer this takes, the worse things get for everybody," Daneshdoost said. "The economic health of the community depends on the situation at SIU."
Reporter Brian Peach can be reached at bpeach@dailyegyptian.com
Published on 11/17/05; 12:24:44 PM
