UI proposal to grad students: no pay raise but expanded health plan

University of Iowa and state Board of Regents officials propose no salary increases but a more expansive health care plan for UI graduate research and teaching assistants.

Officials from the UI Graduate College and the regents office made their opening contract proposal Monday night to representatives from UE Local 896-COGS, the Campaign to Organize Graduate Students, the union that represents about 2,650 UI graduate teaching and research assistants.

The union made its opening proposal earlier this month, asking for a 4 percent raise for the next two years and increased contributions to health care premiums for dependents. Negotiations now continue behind closed doors between the two sides. Bargaining for fiscal years 2012 and 2013 must be completed by March 15.

UI and regents officials said they propose no salary increases due to unknown budget levels, and officials want to put a cap of eight years on the time a doctoral student can serve as a teaching or research assistant, to encourage timely degree completion. Officials also propose expanding the health care plan to offer more care levels at varying costs, with care options outside of Iowa City.