Round two set for negotiations

Graduate Assistants United, USF’s graduate assistants’ union, will enter its second round of collective bargaining with administrators today. The two sides hope that the session will move them closer to an agreement on GA’s minimum pay rates, health insurance coverage, tuition waivers and fees.

In the opening round of talks on April 11, GAU – which represents the 1,700 graduate teaching and research assistants on campus – proposed a waiver of all tuition and fees paid by graduate assistants, an increase to their minimum pay rate and full health care coverage for those who elect to use the University’s health care plan. GAU estimated its proposal would cost between $1.5 and $2 million, but administrators have reviewed those numbers and will present their own estimation of the costs at today’s session.

The meeting, scheduled from 1 to 3 p.m. in room 123 of the Business Administration building, is open to the public.