Labor Relations

UA concerns grow over the pace of negotiations with CAUSE

September 10, 2026

The Latest: UA's negotiating team continues working toward a comprehensive contract with CAUSE. The CAUSE negotiating team has still not responded to UA’s proposals on compensation and benefits or proposed a unified and complete contract, raising our concerns about reaching a contract in a timely manner.

  • Catch Up Quick: This was the 7th bargaining session, and UA’s negotiating team is working hard to negotiate a contract consistent with our bargaining principles and that provides stability for employees.

  • UA has passed 5 full contract proposals to CAUSE negotiators since bargaining began, including 1 two weeks ago and 2 complete contract proposals today.

  • So far, CAUSE has taken a piecemeal approach to negotiations, which creates confusion over proposed changes and adds significant inefficiencies.

Why It Matters: UA leadership knows many staff have raised concerns about the pace of negotiations and the uncertainty around parts of the contract. We’re working hard to address those concerns, but negotiations are a two-way street requiring engagement and significant work on both sides.

  • Zoom In: Despite sharing that compensation and benefits are key priorities for CAUSE members, CAUSE did not respond to UA's wage proposals or address key economic provisions like tuition and the Educational Attainment Incentive Program (EAIP) in today’s session.

  • CAUSE negotiators have provided some single articles, but the article-by-article negotiation continues to make it difficult to evaluate proposed changes.

  • Time Matters: Under Alaska Law, the complete monetary and nonmonetary terms of a tentative agreement must be submitted to the Legislature no later than the 60th day of the legislative session (Friday, March 19, 2027) to receive legislative consideration for appropriation during that calendar year.

The Bottom Line: UA’s negotiating team is doing everything it can to keep making progress, and we hope the next negotiating session will be more fruitful.

  • UA explicitly requested that CAUSE negotiators respond to the University's complete, 17-article master package proposal - including all economic responses - with clear explanations of changes to keep things moving forward.

What’s Next: two more bargaining sessions have been scheduled:

  • September 22, 2026

  • October 7, 2026

  • October 21, 2026

  • November 10, 2026 (new)

  • November 18, 2026 (new)