Madison passed on March 10, 2003
Whereas, The University of Wisconsin System provides invaluable education and skills to Wisconsin residents, enriches the cultural life of the state, and has been a benefit to the state's economy even in difficult times;
Whereas, Unionized state workers, including teaching and project assistants, technical and custodial staff, administrative staff, and trades people play essential roles in fulfilling the mission of the UW System, but have not received pay raises since June 2001;
Whereas, These unions bargained their 2001-2003 contracts in good faith with the University and the state's Department of Employee Relations (DER), and that this good faith bargaining resulted in fair contracts ratified by union members; and
Whereas, The Joint Committee on Employment Relations has directed DER to renegotiate the 2001-2003 agreements, therefore be it
Resolved, That Academic Staff Assembly of the University of Wisconsin-Madison urges the state legislature to approve all state worker contracts that have been agreed upon by the unions and the Department of Employee relations.