Labor Relations

University continues negotiations on UNAC contract

The University of Alaska (UA) continued contract negotiations with United Academics (UNAC) this week, exchanging articles on major issues.

  • This week's ongoing dialogue follows substantial progress made two weeks ago, with negotiators from both sides reaching tentative agreement (TA) on 12 articles.  
  • You can find the latest updates on negotiations on the Labor Relations website at https://www.alaska.edu/hr/labor/labor-relations/unac-news/.

The Context: The negotiations are occurring as the Board of Regents prepares to review and approve UA’s FY26 budget proposal at the November Board meeting (Nov. 7-8). 

  • While UA remains on stable fiscal footing, direction from Juneau has been clear: there will be limited appetite for significant increases to UA’s state appropriation.
  • Controlling Fixed Cost Growth: As costs for utilities, software, maintenance, and employee benefits continue to rise, Regents are considering how to balance those increased costs with constrained state support and strategic investment in university programs. 
  • In that same vein, University leadership continues to pursue operational efficiencies that will allow the university to make the most of every dollar we bring in.
  • Next Legislative Session: UA will seek state appropriations consistent with agreed-upon monetary terms in active CBAs, and fairly compensate other eligible employees.

What’s Next? Negotiations will continue. Both UA and UNAC hope to reach an agreement by the end of the year, which would leave plenty of time for a TA’d CBA to get approval from the Board of Regents.

  • State law also requires the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to review CBA monetary terms before they are submitted to the Legislature, which must occur no later than March 21, 2025.

Notable Dates:

  • October 31, 2024 – UA’s FY26 budget requests due to OMB
  • November 7-8, 2024 – Regular Full Board of Regents Meeting; FY26 budget request approval
  • December 15, 2024 – Deadline for Governor’s FY26 budget to be released and transmitted to Legislative Finance 
  • December 31, 2024 – Current UNAC CBA expires
  • January 21, 2025 – Legislative session begins
  • March 21, 2025 – Bargaining unit monetary terms due to the Legislature

The Bottom Line: Visit https://www.alaska.edu/hr/labor/labor-relations/unac.php for updates on the progress of negotiations throughout this semester.

Published October 18, 2024