Proposed pay raise would help UW faculty

Faculty and staff here at UW-L, as well as, throughout the UW system all expect a little boost in their salaries due to a proposed raise; however what may seem beneficial might only serve a little help towards improving salaries. The Office of State Employment Relations recommended a raise which will take effect for the next 18 months. Passed by the state legislation panel, the proposal of this plan was passed. Academic staff as well as faculty alike will receive an immediate 2 percent raise, a 2 percent raise in July 2008 and a 1 percent raise in April 2009. Although this proposed 5 percent raise brings a little more change into the pockets of UW employees, a bit more of a push in pay was expected. "With faculty salaries across the UW System already lagging 8.5% behind our peer colleges and universities, and academic staff salaries now 20% behind, the Board of Regents called for pay increases of 5.23% in each of the next four years to close that compensation gap," Kevin P. Reilly, President of the University of Wisconsin system addressed to workers across the UW systems. The recommendations of 5 percent over 18 months don't quite match the 5.2 percent per year increases UW System had originally intended. As for UW-L, not much could be said against the proposed raise as professors here aren't unionized. "Faculty and academic staff aren't unionized here, so we are unable to actually negotiate for a raise," one professor stated who wanted to remain anonymous. "Salaries are low in the UW system, even compared to the many other universities nationally." Some UW-L professors had certain takes on the 5 percent raise as well, reflecting on how it might effect the hiring of new professors. "Our benefits package and the relatively low cost of living here has enabled us to continue to recruit new faculty but it gets harder and harder to hire good people," said yet another professor who chose to remain anonymous. "I will not be surprised if we don't get much. 5 percent would be quite welcome, even if they spread it over the next 18 months a little at a time." The UW system President Reilly also realizes the risks of the low new raise. "In the face of intensified competition across the nation and right here in Wisconsin, we risk losing valuable talent to other institutions of higher education that have the flexibility to offer significantly higher compensation," President Reilly said. "We will continue to remind legislators that Wisconsin cannot afford to fall further and further behind competing states, and that UW institutions must have the resources to compete successfully. I hope that others will join this effort to secure more competitive salaries for our UW faculty and academic staff members."

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