The University of Iowa and AFSCME Local 12
Labor Management Committee Meeting
March 16 , 2010
Present: Andy Cooper, Deb Conger, John Stellmach, Joe Marron, Suzanne Hilleman, Josey Bathke, Tim Cook, Jim Schepker, and Kevin Ward
Guests: Jonathan Carlson
Summary of January and February meetings was presented and approved.
Sexual Harassment Policy Revisions
The revisions proposed by the committee were discussed as follows:
The union wants to make sure progressive discipline is adhered to when going through the sexual harassment process. Privacy and transparency of discipline under this policy was discussed.
Josey will provide by next month’s meeting the Equal Opportunity and Diversity’s (EOD) most recent statistics regarding the number of sexual harassment claims/investigations per year. (See attachment A)
Union representatives stated that this policy is extremely difficult to understand (19 pages and 7 related policies).
It was discussed that possibly this policy could be covered in employee orientation so new employees recognize the existence of the policy. (Currently training on sexual harassment is required for all new employees and then training renewed every three years.)
The plan is to have policy revisions done by the end of May 2010 with a draft by early April 2010 to submit to President Mason and possibly the Board of Regents.
Early Retirement Proposal
The early retirement proposal will be presented at the March Board of Regents telephone meeting. The proposal is the same but have added the lower age of 55 and an employee must have ten years of service.
Mandatory Unpaid Days (MUD)
Because 72% (out of the 3600 employees sampled) of MUD have not been scheduled or used the University has asked the Union for help in encouraging the scheduling of these days as soon as possible. John will try to get this information into the next Union newsletter. The University is also asking that there be a scheduling deadline so as to preserve business unit continuity.
List of items deferred until the April 20 labor management meeting:
These items to appear on the next agenda.
Next Meeting
April 20, 2010, 2:00-3:30 pm, 202 USB.
ATTACHMENT A
The University of Iowa
Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity
Annual Report of Complaints Filed
Fiscal Year 2007
Excerpt from page 23, Section V. Sexual Harassment Complaints, Fiscal year 2007
“V. Sexual Harassment Complaints, Fiscal Year 2007
Beginning in FY 2007, the University launched a campaign explaining in greater detail the Policy
on Sexual Harassment, reporting requirements, and avenues for assistance. Pursuant to the
University’s sexual harassment policy, a complaint may be brought informally to any academic
or administrative officer of the University3, and persons alleging they are victims of violations of
the policy are counseled as to resources available on campus, including the Rape Victim
Advocacy Program. University practice is to recommend that persons alleging they are victims
of violations of the sexual harassment policy report crimes to campus or local police authorities.
A. Number of Complaints Filed
During FY 2007, a total of 36 complaints of sexual harassment (including sexual assault) were
filed: nine were filed with the Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity (EOD), and 27 informal
sexual harassment complaints were investigated by academic or administrative officers in units
other than EOD. The 36 complaints in FY 2007 represent a 29 percent increase over the 28
complaints filed in FY 2006 and a 5 percent decrease from the 38 complaints filed in FY 2003.”
Report Located at: http://www.uiowa.edu/~eod/reports/complaint-report-07.pdf