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GRCC TRUSTEES APPROVE COMPENSATION AND BENEFIT CHANGES FOR EMPLOYEE GROUPS
June 16, 2008 - Grand Rapids, MI - Grand Rapids Community College Board of Trustees Monday approved increases in compensation and benefits for non-union professionals and administrators, executive staff, as well as two union groups (Police Officer's Labor Council and College Employees Benefit Association) in its regularly scheduled board meeting. Non-Union professionals, administrators and executive staff received a 2.25% increase to base wage schedules.
Benefit changes also approved include a $200 increase to dental and vision reimbursement; an increase of 2.25% to the optional cash in lieu payment for employees who do not elect to take college health insurance coverage and to the longevity schedules. A GRCC tuition benefit for dependants was increased up to 8 credits per year; three additional vacation days are being added to vacation schedules and additional compensation was granted for advanced degrees ($500 for Masters Degrees and $600 for Doctorate or Juris Doctorate Degrees).
The Campus Police Officers Labor Council ratified a three year contract on Friday, June 13, 2008. Tonight's vote approves the settled agreement at increases to salary schedules of 2.25% for 2008/2009, 2.25% for 2009/2010 and 2.5% for 2010/2011. Additional contract changes included increases to the longevity schedules in the second and third year of the contract, an increase to dental and vision reimbursement ($250 in both the first and second years of the contract); reduced triple time to time-and-a-half for call-in pay, a benefit paid when employees are called in to work outside of their regular schedule. This change will reduce the College's budget costs for overtime.
Additionally, the Board approved a proposal to increase the salary schedules by 1.25% for custodians and skilled trades employees. This modification gives a total 2.25% salary schedule enhancement to make this group's 2008/2009 wage increase consistent with other settled agreements. The College Employees Benefit Association union, which represents this group, will begin bargaining a successor contract in 2009.
According to Board Chair Gary Schenk, "Our goal is always to reach a fair and realistic balance between providing deserved compensation and competitive benefits while being responsible stewards of our limited financial resources."
Student employees received a $.25 increase to their wages, now earning $7.75 per hour.
GRCC has been providing an excellent, affordable education to all who seek it since 1914 when it was the first 2-year college in Michigan and the seventh in the country. The college offers over 150 degree options in its Arts and Sciences and Workforce Development. Student enrollment on the urban campus for both credit and non-credit courses averages 26,000 per year.
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