Faculty union at Northern Iowa University agrees to reopen contract to deal with budget

Northern Iowa Univ. union agrees to contract talks

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — The faculty union at Northern Iowa University has agreed to reopen its contract with the school.

Salaries and benefits in the 2009 through 2011 contract will be the focus of talks between the United Faculty and the Northern Iowa officials.

Union president Hans Isakson says the university’s faculty understands the pressure the university is under with the budget cuts. He says the union wants to work with the regents to address the problems.

Spurred by the 10 percent across-the-board budget cuts made by Gov. Chet Culver, the Board of Regents has approved plans to cut $58 million in state aid to Iowa’s three public universities.

Northern Iowa must eliminate 10 percent, or about $8.8 million, in costs before June 30. Officials propose a graduated furlough or temporary layoff plan that would save the university about $1.8 million.