The Teaching Assistants' Association presented a new proposal to state representatives Tuesday that would require TAs to pay one dollar per month for health insurance if the state provides a 5 percent pay increase. Karen Timberlake, director of the Office of State Employment Relations, said the state will not accept this offer.
However, TAA co-president Boian Popunkiov said the new offer asks less than previous proposals. The TAA's last offer included a zero-dollar health-care premium and a 2.4 percent pay raise for TAs or a $9 per month health care fee and a 5.3 percent pay raise, according to a press release.
Popunkiov said the TAA will hear the state's response Thursday.
Timberlake said the state will refuse the proposal offered by the TAA and will meet tomorrow to discuss a counter proposal.
\The long and the short of it is the dollar amount is not an option for us in health insurance because the amounts that we've asked them to pay correspond to an overall system we design of the way we buy health insurance,"" Timberlake said.
She added that both the state and the university are dealing with budgets that cannot compensate for more than a 4.6 percent TA wage increase.
Tomorrow's negotiation will not be the last meeting, according to Timberlake.
""In addition to the bargaining date Thursday, I believe they've asked for another date about two weeks down the road,"" Timberlake said.
Popunkiov said he hopes the outcome of these negotiations will restore the TAA's faith in the bargaining process.
""One thing we're hopeful for is that they've understood that we're equal partners at the bargaining table, and it's not them in a dominant position and us sort of being in a submissive position,"" Popunkiov said.
He added the TAA is still planning to not withhold grades and to shift its attention to the Capitol.
The TAA will march to the Governor's office today, delivering a singing telegram to voice their disappointment with having to pay for health care out of their wages. Jonathan Puthoff, TAA chair of publicity, said in a press release the march will demonstrate to the public and the state that everyone has a right to affordable health care.
""We just have to keep talking and hope that at some point we're able to reach an agreement,"" Timberlake said.
