Cincinnati State trustees vote to accept Fact-Finder’s report

September 14, 2011

The Cincinnati State Board of Trustees voted unanimously Wednesday to accept a Fact-Finder’s report concerning collective bargaining issues with the union representing full-time faculty members.

“We felt that the Fact-Finder worked hard to achieve a fair compromise,” said Michael Oestreicher, chairman of the Board of Trustees. “After discussing it in depth with senior administrators, the board concluded that although some of her recommendations present financial and institutional challenges, accepting the overall compromise she proposed is in the best interest of the College and the community.”

Representatives of the administration and the Cincinnati State chapter of the American Association of University Professors have been in contract negotiations since May 16, and presented 24 unresolved issues to independent fact-finder Felicia Bernardini on Aug. 29. The most recent contract, a three-year agreement, expired Sept. 5. Faculty members have been working since then under terms of the old contract.

In addition to compensation and health benefits, issues related to workload and “overload” (the academic equivalent of overtime) were among the key items addressed in the fact-finder’s report. Bernardini noted in her report that both the workload and overload discussions were complicated by Cincinnati State’s impending conversion of its academic calendar from 9 ½-week-long terms to semesters.

Implementing the fact-finder’s report would cost Cincinnati State about $1.5 million over a three year period, College officials estimated.

“The recommendations in the fact-finder’s report will present a challenge to the College, but we believe it is important to maintain continuity for our students,’’ said incoming board chair Cathy Crain.