|
|
LAWRENCE -- The University of Kansas and the Graduate Teaching Assistants Coalition, in a five-hour session today with a federal mediator, ultimately agreed that the two sides should resume mediation in May.
"Both sides actively participated in the mediation process and explored alternatives. However, ultimately it was decided that mediation should resume in May. By then, the consequences of the state's fiscal crisis and its effect on the university's budget will be clearer," said Lynn Bretz, director of University Relations.
Also, the Board of Regents is expected to set tuition for the state's six regents universities in May. The board has asked KU and the other regents universities to propose five-year tuition strategies to address institutional needs.
The university and GTAC began negotiating a new three-year contract in September 2000. In December 2001, both sides agreed to declare an impasse on two articles regarding salary and benefits. The negotiations were moved to the mediation process, under the direction of the state Public Employees Relations Board. A mediator from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service was called in for today's session.
-30-
This site is maintained by University Relations, the public relations office for the University of Kansas Lawrence campus. Copyright 2002, the University of Kansas Office of University Relations. Images and information may be reused with notice of copyright, but not altered. kurelations@ku.edu, (785) 864-3256.