Negotiated Benefits

Benefits. The collective bargaining agreement provides coverage for healthcare, pensions, paid vacations and holidays, as outlined below. See Article XII of the contract
for details on additional benefits covering dental care, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance. See Total Compensation and Wellness for detailed information and forms.

Eligible faculty not currently receiving domestic partner health benefits have until September 15, 2009 to receive benefits in 2009 under the “Other Eligible Persons Program” (OEP).  For details on eligibility requirements and enrollment information go to Total Compensation and Wellness.

Healthcare. Faculty and Academic Staff working 50% or more time can choose to be insured by one of the following providers: Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Blue Care Network (HMO), Community Blue (PPO), DMC Care (PPO), or Health Alliance Plan (HMO).The university pays a portion of the premium, varying from 45-52% for Blue Cross/Blue Shield (depending on single or family coverage) to 81-83% for HAP. Employees pay the balance of the premium through payroll deductions. (For details see Human Resources). Co-pays are limited to $10 for office visits, $5 for generic drugs, and $10 for brand-name drugs. Members may purchase a 3-month supply by mail-order for a single co-pay. Those with alternative healthcare coverage (i.e., under a spouse’s plan) who forego coverage under a University plan will receive a $100 increase in monthly salary.

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). An FSA allows you to pay for unreimbursed medical expenses and cetain dependent care expenses (children under 13, disabled dependents) out of tax-free dollars. The University provides for FSAs under the terms of its contract with the AAUP-AFT. Each year there is an FSA enrollment period (October-November or November-December) for the next calendar year. The enrollment period for 2009 ends on November 14, 2008. For details, go here. For the enrollment form, click here. For information about how to enroll online, click here.

New features. The Medical Spending Account annual limit has been enhanced for WSU employees by increasing the annual contribution limit from $3,000 to $5,000.

Under a new Internal Revenue Service rule, WSU employees enrolled in a Medical Care Flexible Spending Account (but not a Dependent Care Account) will be allowed a grace period to March 15, 2008 to incur eligible medical expenses in order to file claims against unused balances from the previous year.

Pension. Faculty and Academic Staff with at least two years of university service and 26 years of age are eligible for coverage under the university’s contracts with the Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association (TIAA) and College Retirement Equities Fund (CREF), or through Fidelity Investments. Participants contribute a minimum of
5% of salary through payroll deductions, and the university contributes 10%. Participants choose the particular distribution between the portfolios offered by TIAA-CREF or Fidelity, with retirement benefits determined by the investment performance of the selected funds. Newly hired faculty and academic staff can immediately participate in the retirement program without university subsidy, if they choose.

Click here for further information on Retirement Savings Plans.

Vacations. After an initial four months of service, full-time 12-month employees earn 22 paid working days of vacation per year. Vacation days earned but not used may be accumulated up to 23 days. In addition, full-time 12-month employees are paid for the week between Christmas and New Year’s, when the university is closed.

Holidays. There are 8 paid holidays: July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, Martin Luther King Day, and Memorial Day.

Personal days. The contract (Article XIII.C.3.e) gives those with 6 months or more seniority two personal days (AKA “any purpose days”) to be used during the fiscal year Oct 1 – Sept 30. After 10 years of service 3 personal days become available.

Reduced Tuition for Children under 26 and Spouse. A 50% reduction in WSU tuition costs is available for your dependents under age 26, your spouse or same-sex domestic partner. The dependent tuition benefit does not cover the registration fee or the omnibus fee. This benefit does not apply to medical school or law school and is applied after any grants and scholarships. You must be on the payroll the last day of Open Registration for your spouse/dependent to qualify for this benefit for a particular term.

Tuition Assistance. Academic Staff (not faculty) can take the greater of two classes or six credit hours per term for two terms and the greater of one class or four credit hours for one term. New employees must be on the payroll on the last day of Open Registration to register for a particular term. Employees must successfully complete the course and remain on the payroll for the entire term.

Click here for further information on tuition reduction and Tuition assistance.

An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides a confidential location for employees and their families to receive assistance with personal matters ranging from family counseling, financial or legal problems, and child or elder care. You can contact the EAP 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, by simply calling one toll-free number,
1-800-852-0357.

Click here for further information on the EAP.

AAUP-AFT, Local 6075 - 5057 Woodward Avenue - Suite 3301 - Detroit, Michigan 48202-4050 - Phone: (313) 577-1750 / Fax: (313) 577-8159