Contract Changes For Tech Faculty

The majority of Tech’s full-time instructional faculty – 64 of approximately 110 total – are represented by a union, the Montana Tech Faculty Association (MTFA). Among those represented by the MTFA, a high proportion – more than 75% – are dues paying members. Non-members who are represented must still pay a required representation fee. When a majority of faculty first approved MTFA representation, professional engineers and nursing faculty were excluded from the bargaining unit and thus pay no fees.

Every two years, MTFA representatives sit down with a management bargaining team to negotiate a new contract. This contract, or collective bargaining agreement, defines the relationship between management and faculty for matters pertaining to salaries, benefits, and terms and conditions of employment. Generally, Tech management has extended whatever the contract language specifies for MTFA faculty to cover all faculty. This makes sense, given the nature of Tech and the fact that some engineering departments have faculty both covered by and exempt from the bargaining unit.

For the 2011-12 and 2012-13 academic years, the following changes were bargained in the recent contract between the Montana Tech Faculty Association and management:

• For the fiscal year beginning 01 October 2011, a salary raise of 1% + $500;

• For the fiscal year beginning 01 October 2012, a salary raise of 2% + $500;

• For Department Heads, an increase in the annual stipend from $2,500 to $5,000 per year;

• Summer school compensation will rise significantly, with faculty to be paid 2/9ths of their salary if they teach a full summer course load of 8 credits. Summer salary will be pro-rated for instructional loads fewer than 8 credits and for classes with fewer than 10 students; and

• A new merit plan will be implemented for faculty with exceptional achievement in any combination of teaching, service, and/or scholarship. Merit awards are $2,000 each, with half going to base salary and half as a single year bonus. In each academic year, up to six awards are available to the 66 MTFA faculty. Additionally, management announced that up to six are available for the approximately 55 non-bargaining unit faculty.

In addition to these material benefits, new contract language will also take effect regarding the role of the faculty senate, copyrights, approval for course coverage while on professional travel, and other minor areas. Faculty are encouraged to read the new contract carefully. Copies are available from the MTFA Secretary, Professor Chris Danielson and at the Board of Regents web site.