SHARE Meeting for whole Bargaining Unit 8/27/2025
Topic: Contract Update
1. How we got where we are
We hoped to be negotiating for step raises – 2 raises per year – we hoped would happen this year but it needs to go on our list for next contract
Started negotiations with 0% raise
Considered repurposing some of the childcare fund money to make sure no one was moving backwards with no raise and high insurance and other costs
In June – non-union staff got notice of a 2.5% raise
In July management team made 2.5% offer to SHARE team
The idea of repurposing some of the childcare fund turns out to be difficult – it will take time and lawyers to figure out how to do this. Also may need these funds for next contract if financial situation does not improve.
Discussed other topics and made some progress on contract language
2.What is happening now
We are working on how big the floor will be – a floor is a fixed dollar amount – for example, last year we got 2% or a floor of $.75
HR presentation: Financial context – still bad, layoffs every week
Looking for a conversation with senior management – have previously met with John Lindstedt, VCAF
Will fight for retro
Did get performance bonuses
People at max – we want to continue ignoring maxes because some members are over the max of their grade
3. Contract campaign
If we need to have a contract campaign to get to an acceptable agreement, what would we do? Solidarity days, Petition, Rally, Phots ops, Singing funny songs, etc.
Is this the right time for a contract campaign because of layoffs and other cuts?
Balancing best contract this year and how negotiations start in 6 months
Uncertainty of next year too
4. What happens next?
Asked for a meeting with VCAF
Next meeting with management team scheduled 9/10
September Member Meeting
contract campaign?
5. What happens once we have a tentative agreement between SHARE negotiating team and management team
Information snail mail and email to members
Meetings for members to discuss
Members vote
Next contract – we will start negotiating in Feb 2026
6. Questions and other topics
What is the floor amount going to be?
People at max?
Contract campaign in the context of hardship
We need to get at least what others got
Retro?
Update 9/19/25:
a. We met last week with Patrick Gallagher, the new Chief Human Resources Officer. It was a productive meeting, and we felt that he was listening thoughtfully to what we had to say. We look forward to seeing what impact the meeting may have on contract negotiations.
b.We postponed regular negotiating sessions for a couple of weeks while we wait to hear back. Our next meeting is scheduled for October 1st.
c.The next lunchtime meeting for SHARE employees will be Wednesday, September 24, 2025.