ITEM 127-111-R0505
TO:������������ Montana Board of Regents
FROM:������� Kathy Crego, Director
Labor Relations and Human Resources
RE:������������ Approval of Tentative Agreement with� Montana Public Employees Association
DATE:�������� May 19-20, 2005
Attached is a summary of the tentative agreement reached with the Montana Public Employees Association (MPEA), which has been overwhelmingly ratified by members of the bargaining unit.� The tentative agreement includes modifications made to the prior agreement.� The entire collective bargaining agreement is available at the Montana University System web site.
The MPEA bargaining unit is comprised of approximately 1,650 employees at MSU-Billings, UM-Missoula, MSU-Bozeman, Montana Tech, Helena College of Technology, and Great Falls College of Technology.� The employees have a wide range of responsibilities, including clerical, technical, service, maintenance, and professional occupations.
Major changes include:
� The agreement provides for wage increases in accordance with HB 447�3.5 percent or $1,005 annually, whichever is greater and 4.0 percent or $1,188 annually, whichever is greater effective October 1, 2005, and October 1, 2006, respectively.
� A minimum wage of $8.25 per hour for all permanent employees.
� Elimination of .5 percent achievement pay.
� Addition of another optional pay component:� In-range Progression Pay to supplement Career Ladder Progression Pay.
� Contract term of four years rather than two, allowing for wages only to be negotiated in 2007.
� Continuation of the Dependent Partial Tuition Waiver.
� Formal recognition of Labor-Management Committees as a mechanism for addressing issues and improving labor-management relations.
Other modifications were made for reasons for clarification and/or contract housekeeping.
I recommend approval of the tentative agreement with MPEA.