Favorable ratification ends nearly three years of negotiations

PLAINFIELD, Vt.—Goddard College faculty and staff voted overwhelmingly in favor of the terms of new, three-year union contracts. The ratification ends 27 months of negotiations between the College and bargaining units.

“This is a contract that management and labor worked very hard to craft together,” said Goddard College President Robert Kenny. “The process involved a significant commitment from all parties to reach agreement, which is premised on what the College, its faculty and staff need to create a positive working environment and sustainable College,” he said.

The United Auto Workers, Local 2322, represents approximately 90 Goddard College faculty members and 45 college staff members.

The Goddard faculty voted to form a union in November of 1998, and did so with the support of the institution’s Board of Trustees. In keeping with the College’s long-standing commitment to democratic principles, the Board waived its right to legally challenge the collective-bargaining effort.

The Goddard staff voted to join the union in January of 2013 as the institution saw declines in enrollment and faced the specter of staff salary reductions and other austerity measures to reconcile projected budget deficits.
The new union agreements preserve the current health and dental benefits with no increases in premium share; increases the minimum wage at Goddard College from $9.15 to $11 per hour, with subsequent increase to $12 per hour beginning July 2016; and eliminates the need for faculty and unionized staff salary pay cuts.
In addition, non-unionized College administrators who had taken 5% to 10% salary reductions in 2013 will have their salaries restored to pre-reduction levels; the College will suspend the retirement match plan for a period of 18 months but will revisit compensation possibilities at the end of that time; and the College’s grant-funded and seasonal workers gained some job protections and were made eligible for compensated sick time.
For more details on the tentative agreements, visit goddarddev.wpengine.com/union.

Goddard College Staff members at their June 5, 2015 ratification vote meeting at the Haybarn Theatre. Photo courtesy of UAW2322.