From a Kansas University press release:An independent fact-finder’s ruling in favor of the University of Kansas in its labor dispute with the union representing graduate teaching assistants frees the university to move quickly to implement a pay raise for GTAs, Provost Richard Lariviere said today.Lariviere said the university was extremely pleased with the report, received April 5, and would implement each of its recommendations.”The university was prohibited from putting pay raises into the pockets of deserving GTAs for almost two academic years because of the protracted negotiations with the union,” Lariviere said.”We want to be as competitive as possible in the national market for the best and brightest graduate students. This impasse was frustrating and painful for the university and unnecessary for GTAs to endure.”With only two pay periods left this academic year, the university will work to fast-track sign-offs by the Kansas Board of Regents and Kansas Department of Administration on the new agreement to enact an average 11.3 percent salary increase. In addition, KU will offer GTAs who return for fall 2007 the same average percentage that faculty receive for merit increases.The 11.3 percent pay raise represents two years of increases the university was prohibited by collective bargaining law from awarding to GTAs because the negotiations remained unresolved.In fall 2006, KU employed 974 GTAs who earned an average of $12,243 for a half-time academic year appointment. KU’s overall compensation package for GTAs waives tuition and some campus fees and provides health insurance.Talks between KU and the Kansas Association of Public Employees, the recognized bargaining unit for GTAs, came to an impasse in July 2006 after 16 sessions over more than a year. By the time the fact-finding hearing was held in February, GTAs had gone without pay increases for the 2005-06 and 2006-07 academic years.Independent fact-finder John Creger’s report covered the four points of dispute: salaries, on-campus union representation, the university’s 10-semester limit on GTA positions and grievance procedures.Creger’s findings include:¢ KU’s method of computing merit pay conforms with public and private sector practice, and KAPE’s proposed change was “unrealistic” and “contrary to common practice.”¢ “GTAs employed by the university generally receive total compensation sufficient to meet or exceed cost-of-living increases.”¢ The university’s proposed minimum salary schedule should be enhanced by $250 each of its three years, to a schedule of $11,250 for year one, $11,750 for year two and $12,250 for year three and beyond. (Three out of four GTAs earn above the current minimum salary of $10,000.)¢ The university’s denial of the union’s demand for access to campus resources is consistent with statewide policies, and it is the union’s responsibility to communicate with its membership.¢ The university’s 10-semester (five year) limit on GTA positions is firmly within the rights of an employer. KU limits the length as an incentive for completing degrees in timely fashion and to allow eligible incoming graduate students the opportunity for GTA positions.¢ The university should undertake its own study to review whether the 10-semester limit has unintended consequences for GTAs in certain situations.¢ The grievance procedures in the current contract should be retained.The fact-finder’s complete report is online at www.news.ku.edu/2007/april/6/report.pdf.