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Dear faculty, This month, another example of what happens when this administration defies our collective bargaining agreement: Our full-time and part-time faculty contracts included faculty representation on a University Benefits Advisory Council. However, this council was disbanded by the administration, in violation of our contract. See more about this in our grievance update below. Last Tuesday, UVM announced a 13.9% increase in health insurance premiums - more than double any increase in recent history. And because the benefits council was disbanded, this change was not reviewed or approved through the process we bargained. We understand the current economic climate and why premium increases may be necessary. The benefits council was created to ensure transparency and so the people most affected by benefits changes would have the opportunity to help shape them. We don’t know how HR and BCBSVT decided upon this increase, because we weren’t represented in decision making as we had bargained. While UA has a strong case, the administration has again chosen opacity over transparency and changed the rules outside of our bargained process, and that is not OK. Here’s how our colleagues at UVM Staff United framed it: watch the reel on Instagram (and follow them!) Looking ahead: we can extrapolate from the Benefits Advisory Council situation why it’s necessary to have faculty, staff, and student representation on the Board of Trustees. It is right and reasonable that decision makers represent and include those affected by the decisions. The makeup of the UVM Board of Trustees is too divorced from the reality of living, learning, and working at UVM; this leadership structure is therefore flawed. We’re working to change that, in our UA Legislative Committee and with your partnership. Contact us with interest in serving on the reinstated Benefits Advisory Council, and contact us to get involved in our efforts to democratize the Board of Trustees. In solidarity, Ellie and Katlyn
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