HR Update

Maintenance of Status Quo Summary and Appointment Letter Language- January 2024

We recently presented to the Graduate Program Coordinators regarding appointment letters. Please see below for the points covered. You may copy the reminder below and disseminate it to applicable staff who are involved in GA appointment letters. 

As a reminder, campus, college, or units should not engage in the following:
 

  • Unilaterally change GA terms and conditions of employment, including compensation because that is a subject of bargaining. 

  • Engage in discussion with GAs regarding subjects of bargaining.


The following is language to incorporate into your appointment letters:
 

  • The University is currently in collective bargaining with the graduate assistant union (GLU-UE) and compensation amounts are subject to change pending the outcomes of bargaining.


Relocation or lump sum payments need to involve unit human resources who will then email the request to pay GA relocation or lump sum payments to elr@umn.edu (as communicated in the November 10, 2023, ELR Connection). 

Additionally, as part of the maintenance of status quo, departments should not unilaterally change the substance of their appointment letters.  Appointment letters are a subject of bargaining.  

Once we have reached a tentative agreement with GLU-UE, Employee and Labor Relations will offer training on various contract provisions, including appointment letters.  For any questions, please contact Coy Hillstead, Sr. Labor Relations Consultant, OHR Employee and Labor Relations (chillste@umn.edu).  

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