State, UW-Madison continue negotiations with TAs

The Office of State Employee Relations and UW–Madison continue to negotiate with the Teaching Assistants’ Association in hopes of reaching a new contract deal.

The most recent offer from the state, made during bargaining on Monday, April 19, would give UW–Madison TAs a 4.6 percent pay increase, placing pay above the median point of UW–Madison’s peer institutions. The offer is also one of the largest percentage increases recently offered to a state collective bargaining unit.

“TAs are vital to this institution, and we support their right to be compensated appropriately,” says Casey Nagy, special assistant to Chancellor John Wiley “It is also important for the community to understand that the current offer is a good one.”

The TAA has authorized a two-day walkout on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 27-28, and an end-of-the-semester grade strike if no deal is reached.

College of Letters and Science Dean Phil Certain says that the university hopes to avert a job action, which would be disruptive to students, faculty and staff.

Ultimately, faculty members have final responsibility for maintaining instruction and grading, Certain says.

University officials will work with deans and departments to provide more specific information to faculty members in the event of a grade strike.