UA Coalition of Alaska University Staff for Equity

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UA Coalition of Alaska University Staff for Equity

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The Coalition of Alaska University Staff for Equity (CAUSE) is a collection of University of Alaska staff forming a union for all staff across the UA system.

As staff, recognized the need to form a staff union that advocates for all of us.

10/15/2026

Mike DeLue, research professional at IARC and member of the bargaining committee, shares an update from last week's bargaining session. We sent five proposals that would enshrine key protections for staff and ensure that all of us are treated fairly and equitably in disciplinary matters.

In contrast, UA's latest proposals fall short and would weaken our status quo in many areas, including harassment and discrimination.

As staff, we are the backbone of UA. Our working conditions directly impact student experience, research, and communities across Alaska. We will continue to make proposals that will increase our rights and make UA a better place to work.

If you haven't already, join the Contract Action Team (CAT)! You can find more information about bargaining updates on our bargaining website.

09/12/2026

Austin Cranford, Network Technician at UAS Sitka and member of the bargaining committee, shares an update on the 9-10-26 Bargaining Session.

At the session, we presented an article on working conditions that would protect and improve our rights to a workplace free of sexual harassment and discrimination, a respectful work environment, worksites that comply with health and safety standards, and fair and equitable processes for remote, hybrid and flexible work agreements. In addition, we also responded topassed several articles where the University had made some movement. You can view all of our passed proposals on the Bargaining Center of our website.

Staff formed our union to improve the lives and working conditions of all of us through collective bargaining. Our proposals are focused on improving and enshrining our rights to fair, safe, and equitable working conditions while UA is focused on presenting proposals that will move us backwards. It’s time for us to put pressure on UA to reshift their focus. Sign the open letter to call on UA to accept our bargaining deadline of November 20th:
https://uaw.jotform.com/261527433492055

08/14/2026

Iris Way, bargaining committee member and finance specialist in System Office, shares a bargaining update from August 10th. On Monday, we presented a comprehensive proposal that addresses the concerns staff have raised over the course of our unionization campaign. These proposals were a democratic effort.

Our comprehensive proposal is a massive step toward our proposed bargaining deadline of November 20th, 2026. This will ensure that we have a strong contract ready in anticipation of the legislative session in January. Sign the open letter asking UA to commit to this deadline: https://uaw.jotform.com/261527433492055

Our next bargaining session is August 24th, 2026.

08/09/2026

Jeremiah Youmans, senior data center technician at OIT and member of the bargaining committee, shares an update about the Mass Membership Meeting and 8/4 bargaining. On 8/4, our bargaining committee passed UA 10 proposals. At the MMM, staff discussed setting a deadline and are signing on to a letter asking President Cooper to accept our deadline of November 20th (link to sign: https://uaw.jotform.com/261527433492055 ).

Our next bargaining session is tomorrow, 8/10!

07/24/2026

Summer Lazenby, Advancement Programs Manager at Kenai Peninsula College and bargaining committee member shares a bargaining update from our third bargaining session on July 22nd.

UA proposed a comprehensive package. It's heartening to see UA commit to movig quickly, but unfortunately they propose making things significantly worse for UA staff:

*No merit-based raises. No increases for attained certificates and degrees. Reduced promotional increases to 5%
*Increased healthcare costs for staff. No minimum contribution. Less input from UA staff on plan.
*Cut accrual rates for paid time off and sick leave. No parental leave, bereavement leave, or personal holiday.
*No tuition waivers for employees and their dependents.
*Extended probationary periods from six months to up to 18 months.

UA staff are coming together for an Emergency Mass Member Meeting on August 3rd @ noon to discuss this proposal and decide next steps. RSVP at the link in the bio and invite your coworkers!

07/22/2026

Ian Marks, Assistant Director of Athletics Media Relations and bargaining committee member, shares a bargaining update from 7/16 session.

Last week, we ratified our IBDs with 95% voting yes and presented them to UA. In addition, we presented three proposals: Travel, Workspace Materials, and Intellectual Property. We also exchanged proposals ob ground rules, but UA is unfortunately still seeking to restrict our members' participation in bargaining and force our elected bargaining committee to use PTO to attend sessions. In addition, UA proposed a Recognition article that would exclude over 300 titles from CAUSE-UAW. It's difficult to understand why UA is attempting to fragment our union mere months after we voted to unionize.

Our next bargaining session is tomorrow 7/22! Check out our bargaining center (link in bio) for updates and ways to participate in bargaining.

07/06/2026

Charlie Banks, academic advisor at UAA and member of the CAUSE-UAW bargaining team, shares a bargaining update about our first day of bargaining on June 25th and our upcoming IBD vote from July 7th to July 14th. Keep an eye on your inbox for your ballot!

05/01/2026

Our colleague, Nikhil Nandagopal, shares how UA is working with to eliminate funding in proposed budgets for our previously requested raises.

We're signing this letter (https://uaw.jotform.com/261176806931057) asking that UA Admin work with us to advocate for funding in the legislature. We're also proposing a Memorandum of Agreement to make it clear both UA and us agree that the raises can be implemented.

The legislature is finalizing the budget in only a few days. We need to act fast.

Sign the letter and share with a colleague!

04/21/2026

The real work begins! All permanent UA Staff are invited to attend the Bargaining Town Hall this Tuesday the 21st @ 12:00pm (check your inbox for Zoom info). Swipe to learn more or visit cause-uaw.org

04/01/2026

We are beyond excited to announce that UA Staff have officially voted YES TO UNIONIZE with 64% of the total votes cast being in favor! The tally was 1106-610–that means 76% of eligible staff at UA voted in the election! We are now the largest group of unionized employees in UA history and the largest new union in Alaska in decades!

This union election victory was made possible by the hundreds of our coworkers who spent the last year having thousands of conversations with our peers across the UA system. We’re ready to get to the table and begin bargaining a contract that makes UA a more equitable and sustainable workplace for UA Staff.

When we fight, WE WIN!

Address

PO BOX 80603
Fairbanks, AK
99708

Website

https://www.cause-uaw.org/home

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