Labor Relations

CAUSE contract negotiations continue at slow pace

The Latest: UA continues to be concerned about the pace of negotiations with CAUSE as the parties bargain toward a first contract. CAUSE negotiators have not yet put forward proposals addressing many of their own initial bargaining demands and have not provided a counterproposal on high-profile issues, like compensation or contested positions.

  • UA’s negotiating team agreed to an additional session to try to keep things moving.

Catch Up Quick: UA passed a revised contract across the negotiating table today, responding to union concerns discussed at the table.

  • UA proposed a full contract two weeks ago to jump start the negotiating process and identify areas for agreement. CAUSE negotiators have yet to respond to it.

The Latest: CAUSE negotiators passed 7 individual articles back during today’s negotiation session, the majority of which were already covered in the 16 articles contained in the University’s initial contract proposal.

Zoom in: While CAUSE has been critical of the University's contract proposals, it has not yet made any proposals on high-profile issues like compensation, or many of their own initial bargaining demands.

  • CAUSE stated multiple times they are still working on developing a full contract proposal.

Showing Goodwill: Although bargaining was scheduled to resume on August 24, the University agreed to an additional bargaining session on August 10 at CAUSE’s request. The University looks forward to receiving CAUSE’s comprehensive counterproposal before that session so that the parties can engage in a substantive discussion.

Why it Matters: According to Bloomberg Law, it takes . Under Alaska Labor Law, contracts must be submitted to the legislature for approval by the 60th legislative day, which would be March 21, 2027.

Go deeper:

How to Participate: CAUSE-represented employees should share their questions, concerns, priorities, and desired outcomes for this contract directly with the CAUSE bargaining team. As a CAUSE-represented employee, the bargaining team negotiates on your behalf.

What's Next: Contract negotiations are scheduled to resume on August 10.

  • The University encourages all bargaining unit members to get involved so that the parties can efficiently come to an agreement.

 

Questions? See our .