Today Governor Bredesen released his budget for 2007-2008. With much anticipation we awaited to hear if UT President Petersen’s call for a 5% pay increase would be included in the budget.

Unfortunately, the Governor’s budget only calls for a 1% raise and a 2% bonus for higher education employees.

The talk of the 5% has excited many of us over the past few months. UT staff have languished under poverty wages and UT faculty have gone for years without decent cost of living increases.

Fortunately, the work to ensure a decent raise for ALL UT employees has just begun. The Governor’s budget is only the starting point for the debate- the state house and senate must now debate and pass a budget. Oftentimes the Governor’s budget changes when it gets to the legislature.

Despite the 5% not being in the budget, the United Campus Workers-Communications Workers of America, the union representing UT staff and faculty, will continue to push for a raise better than the Governor’s 1% proposal. Our 2007 legislative program calls for:

1. A 5% raise that is distributed fairly, with an across-the-board raise equal to the cost of inflation.

2. A minimum of $1500 for every higher education employee.

3. Compression pay for higher education employees comparable to what other Tennessee state employees received last year.

4. No so-called “merit” raises before the previous criteria has been met and before a fair and transparent system of evaluation be implemented.

On March 13th 2007 UT employees will travel to Nashville to participate in the UCW’s Lobby Day. We will be meeting with members of the state house and senate to let our voices be heard on these issues. Please email us at fairness@ucw-cwa.org if you are interested in attending. Additionally, there will be two interest meetings for Lobby Day on the Knoxville and Chattanooga campuses. Below are details on them:

UTK Lobby Day Interest Meeting

Thursday, March 1

12:00- 1:00 pm

UTK University Center Room 225

UTC Lobby Day Interest Meeting

Thursday, March 8

5:15 pm

Brock Hall, Room 303

Please stay posted for more news in the coming weeks. We as UT employees can make a difference! We can get a decent pay raise, but only if we get involved!