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AU walked away from negotiations early today without an agreement. We offered to meet at any time on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to settle a contract and avert the strike - they declined.
Well over 100 AU staff from main campus, WCL, and SVB gathered once again hoping the AU Administration would live up to its values and put the wellbeing of our community and students first. Once again we were disappointed by their refusal to settle a reasonable contract, fight devastating turnover, and stop the strike.
We started by once again showing a good-faith effort to settle by making moves to come closer to the administration’s proposals. The Administration met for well over an hour, only to tell us they were not moving on economics or health insurance and that we should be grateful for what they already offered.
You read that right -- AU offered absolutely no progress on wages and health care.
Despite university public messaging* declaring over and over again that they are “committed to reaching a settlement,” all we witnessed was an unwillingness to budge. We even asked them to just commit, legally, to the pay band zone descriptions as written in their own policy manuals. They refused to even talk about it, rejecting their own policy outright.
It’s clear that AU Administration has no intention to budge on its proposal and doesn’t believe we can muster the kind of strike that will force them to change. We know we can prove them wrong by coming together in huge numbers that WILL disrupt operations and events all across campus.
HOW??
NOW is the time to commit to joining your coworkers on the picket line starting day 1 of our five day strike. AU needs to see the consequences of its refusal to bargain in good faith. Sign up for your picket shifts: https://forms.gle/9wj8GjwZ8BXGKQhZ9
Sign your membership card - this allows you to receive strike pay and prove that our union has the strength to fight the behemoth that is American University: https://secure.everyaction.com/GWXvbOgoZkuwgw6s94ibnA2
Invite everyone you know to join us on the picket line. You friends. Your family. Your coworkers who haven’t signed up yet. Your students. All are welcome on the picket line!! https://forms.gle/QQaRfUbkLBn8kVyc7
We will see you on the picket line Monday at WCL!! When we fight together we win!
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PS: Take a look at the coverage we’re already getting!
Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2022/08/17/american-university-staff-labor-strike/
The Eagle: https://www.theeagleonline.com/article/2022/08/aus-staff-union-announces-strike-ahead-of-first-week-of-classes
*Quotes:
“While the union has voted to authorize a strike, negotiations continue and a strike is not a certain outcome. We are committed to reaching a final agreement.”
Matthew Bennett, AU's vice president and chief communications officer (The Eagle)
“We have resolved numerous issues for this first contract and continue to offer proposals on the outstanding items,” Bennett said in a statement. “A strike is not an inevitable outcome, and American University is committed to reaching a final agreement.” (The Washington Post)
“While complex contract negotiations can take time, we will continue to negotiate in good faith and remains eager to reach agreements soon with all represented staff. While the university is disappointed that the Union is suggesting that there should be a strike, we will continue to work with them to reach a first contract.” Peter Starr, Provost and Chief Academic Officer; Seth Grossman, Vice President, People and External Affairs & Counselor to the President (Email to AU Community 7/22/2022)
“Rest assured that the bargaining team has kept me in the loop throughout these negotiations. I have full confidence in their ability to represent my position as provost and that of American University.” Peter Starr, Provost and Chief Academic Officer (Email response to invitation to bargaining 7/28/2022)
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