Hunter
02/09/25
The University of Iowa graduate student union has begun contract negotiations with the Board of Regents, with the sides offering figures that are far apart.
Iowa Capital Dispatch reports COGS is asking for a 25% increase over the next two years, while the Regents have offered an annual increase of 3%.
Union President Cary Stough said the board’s offer didn’t surprise the members, but it was disappointing, He said despite presenting months of research and data collecting, the Regents were unwilling to listen.
The Regents initial proposal was included in a contract consisting of less than five pages; the Graduate Students proposal exceeded 25 pages.
Stough said the salary increase request is based on rising costs of living in Iowa City, and the union is also seeking to move the first day they receive a paycheck from Sept. 1 to Aug. 1 to help pay for moving costs, university fees and other expenses.
The union will send a formal response to the board bargaining team this week; the next closed bargaining session is set for Februrary 20th.