After marathon final bargaining session — that took a whopping 10 hours — resulted in a historic first contract for the Dominican University Adjunct Faculty. The next step is to present it to our members for an up or down ratification vote to take place very soon.

Significant Gains

· One-to-three year teaching contracts with a predicted course load based on average courses taught, and a transparent, seniority-based, enforceable system for assigning courses.

· Performance evaluations, peer evaluations, and performance improvement plans to support the development of high quality teaching with real job security.

· By the end of the three-year agreement, adjunct compensation will be tied to 80% of the full-time associate professor rate. A “me-too” clause that ensures that adjuncts will receive any raises given to full-time faculty to maintain the percentage ratio to full-time salary.

· Everyone will get raises to base compensation of 2-18% for the first term after ratification, with raises of 16-55% over the 3-year agreement.

· Longevity steps. Six steps on the salary scale, awarded based on teaching at Dominican, teaching at other universities or colleges, terminal degree, and non-teaching professional experience where applicable. Everyone will advance to additional salary steps during the agreement as they qualify.

· Class cancellation fees will pay adjuncts at a rate of 10%, 25%, or 50% of the Step 1 per course rate depending on date of cancellation.

· A Grievance and Arbitration process to resolve disputes and challenge discipline or terminations under the contract. Non-renewal of a teaching contract/termination based on performance can now be challenged subject to just cause, the grievance process, and binding arbitration.

· Lowered the threshold to qualify for health benefits with the University from 20 to 18 units per year, and protected health benefits for term adjuncts for two more years.

· A new $60,000 hardship fund for adjuncts who buy individual health insurance and are facing significant unreimbursed out-of-pocket health care costs.

· Adjuncts will also receive extra pay for overenrolled courses, substitute teaching, developing courses, reading theses, writing references, etc.

· A faculty development fund of $40,000 per year will be used to pay adjuncts for service and development at $35 per hour, and 300 hours per year to pay union stewards, Labor-Management Committee members, bargaining teams.

More information to follow.