Hello bargaining unit members—
Surprise! The 2015 Job Classification Study is now moving ahead. Yes! Really! We know it has been awhile, but your union reps have been working behind the scenes on your behalf. And now, let the implementation phase begin!
For those of you who were not here for the joy of JDQ (Job Description Questionnaire) or simply don’t remember much about it at this point, the Job Classification Study was a project originally instigated by the union to streamline and structure the hierarchy of job positions and provide a system of pay grades, or as HR calls it, job levels. The idea was to make our job titles and hierarchies more in line with other institutions, to make the whole system more transparent and understandable (making it easier to negotiate), as well as to provide up-to-date job descriptions for all staff. In the next phase of the project, we’ll be able to bargain the salary ranges for those pay grades.
For now, whether you were part of the original JDQ process or not, your position will have had a job family and job level assigned to it, by the consultant and/or by HR. HR will continue to use the rubric developed by the consultant in the project, called the Leveling Guide, to assign pay grades to new positions. USofCC reps and HR staff have hammered out the number of levels and the language in the rubric, as well as the communications and appeal process details. Your union volunteers worked long and hard to make the Leveling Guide and the communications emails clear, and to advocate for your rights in this process.
HR plans to send email announcements and to officially release the data about your job family and job level assignments on June 1st on the IRIS platform.
PLEASE TAKE NOTE: After the release date, you will only have 30 days to appeal your job family or job level assignment.
Confused already? Never fear, USofCC is here! We want our members to know where they stand and to fully understand the new system and the steps in the process. We will be involved every step of the way, from providing information and answering questions, to offering support during the appeals window, and beyond.
First, please come to one of the three informational sessions over the next couple of weeks—they are at different times and places to make it easy for as many people as possible to attend. Members and officers will be on hand to answer questions. We’ll show you how to determine whether your assigned job family and job level fits your position, or whether you might have a good case to appeal it. We know that a lot has changed since 2015! We can also make suggestions about how to build a strong appeal.
Remember to check the USofCC website https://usofcc.org/ for updates and further information. You can always email the union directly and we will do our best to answer your questions. Watch your email and read the union newsletter too!
Be a smartie! Join us at one of the following Q&A sessions (candy will be provided):
Friday, May 18
11:00 am to 11:45 am
Ferguson Theater
600 S. Michigan Ave., Room 101
Tuesday, May 22
12:00 pm to 12:45 pm
1104 S. Wabash, Room 310
Thursday, May 31
1:00 pm to 1:45 pm
Hokin Hall
623 S. Wabash, Room 109
See you there!
Laurie Lee Moses, VP
United Staff of Columbia College 