Rutgers University has proposed salary increases of 1% to 3% for employees earning up to $200,000 a year, with no raises for higher-earning workers or those in athletics or executive leadership.
In a letter to union leadership seen by BINJE, Rutgers describes its proposal as a “fair, means-based salary program designed to direct the greatest percentage increases to employees who earn the least.”
Rutgers AAUP-AFT, which represents more than 5,000 full-time faculty, graduate workers, postdoctoral associates and counselors at the state university’s three main campuses, had sought 6% raises for every year of the contract.
Under the university’s proposal, salary increases would be 3% for employees earning up to $50,000; 2.5% for $50,000 to $75,000; 2% for $75,000 to $100,000, and 1% for $100,000 to $200,000. The increases would be retroactive to July 1.
“We believe this represents a fair and responsible balance between supporting our workforce and maintaining the University’s long-term financial sustainability,” Abdel Kanan, associate vice president and deputy general counsel for the school’s labor relations office, said in the letter.
So far this year, Rutgers has held 87 negotiating sessions with its employee union leaders. Proposals from the staff and faculty bargaining units have ranged from 6% to 10%, “in addition to dozens of other demands that would come with significant financial costs,” Kanan said.
Rutgers has 27,789 employees, with more than 20,000 represented by unions. Personnel costs make up 66% of its total expenses.
The university has 21 bargaining units; 13 are currently in negotiations.
