Heartland signs three-year contract with full-time faculty

The Heartland Community College Board and Heartland Faculty Association have come to consensus on a three-year contract extending through the 2021 fiscal year.

The three-year contract delivers a package of incremental salary increases for full-time faculty beginning with a flat dollar increase of $1500 per individual in FY19 followed by a 2.5% increase in FY20 and another 2.5% increase in FY21.

Other highlights in the contract include:

• Increase in the overload teaching rate by $25 per hour for 3 years
• Increase in pay for independent study courses
• Increase in the amount the College will provide for tuition reimbursement for faculty who are continuing their education (from $2,000 per year to $3,000 per year)
• Expanded definition of dependents for purposes of awarding tuition waivers for dependents of faculty (aligned with ACA definition of under the age of 26)
• Expansion of sick leave coverage to include paternity leave
• Ability of online faculty to hold an online office hour

Contract negotiations began in November of 2017 with a goal to develop consensus around identified issues of importance.

“Interest-Based Bargaining truly helped negotiations,” said Sean Colcleasure, Faculty Association Lead. “Both sides came together in good faith, built a solid foundation and worked together to get a contract all parties benefit from, with minimal disagreements.”

The contract was ratified by HFA membership with voting held on May 8-9.