Appropriations Committee Hears UConn‑GEU Contract; Votes Held Open

The Appropriations Committee held a public hearing on House Resolution 11 and Senate Resolution 11, which would approve a four‑year collective bargaining agreement between the University of Connecticut Board of Trustees and the Graduate Employee Union (GEU‑UAW) Local 6950 covering roughly 2,200 graduate assistants. Committee members questioned university officials about funding sources, stipend levels and program capacity; the committee moved both resolutions but left votes open until 11:30 a.m., with final committee tallies not recorded in this transcript.

The agreement, presenters said, becomes effective July 1, 2026, and includes across‑the‑board stipend increases of 4.5% in each of the first two years, 4.25% in year three and 3.85% in year four, changes to parental leave and an expansion of the childcare fund from $225,000 to $265,000 over the life of the contract. "We are here today seeking your approval of Senate Resolution 11 and House Resolution 11 concerning the collective bargaining agreement," Kelly Bannister, director of labor relations for the University of Connecticut, told the committee. Bannister emphasized the university is not requesting additional state appropriations to fund the contract, saying the graduate assistant appointments are “primarily supported by research grants and tuition dollars.”

Leslie Shore, dean of graduate education and vice provost, clarified enrollment and program details, telling members the university has about 7,000 graduate students in total, with approximately 2,200 represented by the bargaining unit. Shore explained that the general university fee supports student programming, the student union, marching band and other student life initiatives. Shore also described limits on capacity for certain professional programs, such as clinical placement availability for audiology and physical therapy, as a constraint on expanding particular graduate pathways.

Kelly Wibbe, assistant vice president for budget planning, provided current stipend ranges for full‑time graduate assistants of about $28,005.96 to $33,004.55 and confirmed the administration can supply multiyear revenue figures when requested. Committee members repeatedly pressed for a dollar‑level accounting of research funding and a multiyear breakdown so members could assess the fiscal impact on state and university budgets. In response to funding‑loss scenarios, Shore said the university treats appointment length as a management right and may reassign a student to other funding (another grant, a teaching assistantship or a fellowship) rather than recruit a replacement if a specific grant ends.

Grace Easterly, president of GEU‑UAW Local 6950, urged approval of the agreement on behalf of graduate assistants, saying the contract increases wages, strengthens parental leave and adds protections and resources for international students. "This improved contract will help make the University of Connecticut more competitive and give us more resources to further UConn's important teaching and research mission," she said.

After testimony and roughly an hour of questions, the chair moved to committee consideration. Representative Sims moved that House Resolution 11 be reported favorably from committee and Representative Candelaria seconded the motion; a motion to take similar action on Senate Resolution 11 was moved and seconded in the Senate portion of the hearing. The chair said votes would remain open until 11:30 a.m. to allow members time to return; the transcript ends with the committee recessed and votes held open, so the final committee outcomes are not recorded here.

The committee scheduled another public hearing and committee meeting for Friday at 9 a.m. to continue consideration of the contract.