EWU turns to mediator for salary negotiations

The faculty and administration at Eastern Washington University are turning to mediation in their attempt to negotiate a new contract.

The United Faculty of Eastern union announced Oct. 21 that talks had broken down with the administration and that it would be seeking mediation to resolve differences over proposed salaries.

“We’re doing too much for too little,” said union President Tony Flinn.

Though Flinn would not offer specifics of proposals under negotiation, he said a huge gap existed between initial proposals by the union and administration. In comparisons with peer institutions, he said, EWU ranks in the bottom 10th percentile on faculty salaries.

“Nobody got into this for the money,” Flinn said.

“Nobody expects extravagant money. However, it’s difficult to attract and retain the best faculty when they can go elsewhere for better salaries.”

According to the Chronicle of Higher Education’s rankings of faculty salaries around the country, a full professor at EWU earned an average of $64,100 in 2004-05 – about 82 percent of the average for similar institutions nationwide. Since 1999-00, that has risen about 8 percent.

Brian Levin-Stankovich, interim president of EWU, said he could say little about the process Friday.

He did caution that salary rankings such as the Chronicle’s may not reflect factors such as the seniority of faculty – which can drive up averages – or the cost of living in a given area.

“Mediation has been called in, but that’s part of the process,” he said.

“All I can say is we’re ready to sit down and continue (negotiating).”

A mediator has been selected, but no meeting has been scheduled, Flinn said.

The mediator will attempt to resolve a contract acceptable to both sides, but the decision won’t be binding. Both parties have to approve any agreement reached under mediation.