Greetings, and Welcome to the UNK Education Association:
The UNKEA, and its predecessors, have been representing the interests of faculty since 1972. The UNKEA negotiates our collective bargaining agreement with the Board of Regents every two years and provides legal services and social support to insure a secure working environment.
The UNKEA is affiliated with the Nebraska State Education Association (NSEA) which represents over 25,000 of Nebraska’s public school teachers. The NSEA also represents higher education through locals at all of the state colleges, and the Nebraska community colleges, and through the NSEA Higher Education Academy. The Higher Education Academy is composed of the over 1,000 higher education faculty, academic professionals, and educational support professionals across the state, who are members of NSEA higher education locals. The purpose of the Academy is to further communication between the higher education community, to strengthen higher education advocacy through the NSEA, and to provide a forum for discussion and analysis of issues of importance to higher education at the local, state, and national level.
Through the NSEA, we are also affiliated with the National Education Association (NEA), which provides a wide variety of programs and benefits to members. What are the combined benefits of membership in UNKEA? The following is a select list:
$1,000,000 of Civil Liability Insurance
NEA DUES-TAB insurance which provides for $1,000 Life Insurance and up to $50,000 Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance.
NEA Long Term Care Insurance.
$250,000 Coverage for Liability and Attorney’s Fees.
Access to legal services and coverage of legal fees for employment related cases.
A 20 member state professional staff to assist with grievances and protect employment rights
Full-time lobbyists at state and national level for higher education issues. And, most importantly,
The Collective Bargaining Agreement/Contract– covering the following areas:
*Grievance and Arbitration Procedures
*Personnel Files
*Wage/Salary Increases
*Summer Compensation
*Fringe Benefits
*Faculty Development
*Evaluation, Promotion, and Tenure
*Distance Learning/Online Instruction
The collective bargaining process has been essential in bringing the UNK salaries up to the levels of our peer group and national norms. The terms of the contract insure a fair hearing and just process for grievances, and, the access to the NSEA law firm in Lincoln insure that members have the necessary legal support when required.
Thank you for your interest and support for UNKEA. If you have questions or wish more information about UNKEA please do not hesitate to contact me or any member of the UNKEA Executive Committee. Thanks again and best wishes for a rewarding and enjoyable academic year.
Sincerely,
Will Aviles,
Professor of Political Science
President, UNKEA
865-8776
avilesw1@unk.edu
