We are thrilled to announce the IFO has reached a tentative agreement on the 2023-2025 contract. Detailed information may be found at www.ifo.org/contract-settlement-2325.
This round of negotiations was fast and furious. The negotiations team was willing to work throughout the summer to get this contract settled quickly without leaving anything on the table. The IFO team and MinnState reps met for ten days from May through July and reached one of the largest and earliest settlements in IFO history.
Below are some highlights of the settlement. Please visit our contract settlement webpage for more detailed information.
Economics:
Total salary increase = 10.3% over two years.
FY24 (academic year 2023-2024)
5% increase:
2.6% across the board + 1 step (2.4%) for tenured, probationary, fixed term returning faculty.
Adjunct/Community Faculty per credit pay increased by 5% (to $1,727 per credit).
HRA contribution increased from $800 to $1000.
FY25 (academic year 2024-2025)
5.3% increase:
2.9% across the board + 1 step (2.4%) for tenured, probationary, fixed term returning faculty.
Adjunct/Community faculty per credit pay increased by 5.3% (to $1,819 per credit).
Professional Improvement Fund increases.
Language Highlights:
The team was successful in reaching agreements on several important Delegate Assembly language items, some of which had been sought after for years.
HYFLEX/MULTI-MODAL OVERLOAD PAY
Beginning spring semester 2024, faculty teaching hyflex/multi-modal courses will receive one credit of load or overload for each course.
IFO and MinnState will convene a joint Taskforce to further assess hyflex/multi-modal teaching assignments and impacts to faculty workload and budgets. The taskforce report is due by October 2026.
TUITION WAIVER EXPANSION
Up to 18 credits of a faculty member’s tuition waiver benefit will be available to a dependent, spouse, or domestic partner pursuing a degree at a community or technical college in the MinnState system. This use of the tuition waiver is at the discretion of the university president or designee based on available funds.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUNDS
Professional Improvement Funds/Grants available to all faculty (adjunct / community faculty, tenured, probationary, and fixed term faculty) will increase in the 2024-2025 academic year.
Travel Reimbursement Increase
Meals paid through either Professional Improvement Funds/Grants or Professional Study and Travel (19B) Funds will be reimbursed at 1.25 times the State of Minnesota Managerial Plan rate. Pending legislative approval, new rates add up to a $53.75 per diem. U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) and U.S. Department of Defense rates will no longer apply, and hotels will be reimbursed at actual cost.
AND SO MUCH MORE!
Other Benefit Changes:
In addition to the contract settlement, there will be improvements in the state insurance plans (more information to follow), and changes were made in statute during the legislative session to enhance both retirement plans offered to faculty. IRAP participants will receive a 2.75% employer contribution increase immediately (went into effect in June). TRA received funding to reduce the normal retirement age from 66 to 65. This will be paid for by increasing the employer contribution by .75% and the employee contribution by .25%. Due to IRS policies, IRAP participants will also have a .25% employee contribution increase.
The fight does not end here. Faculty from across the state will continue to work with legislators and the governor to fund our campuses and protect the quality and accessibility of our universities.
The negotiation process is demanding. I encourage you to thank Amy Fredin, Chair of the IFO team, and your campus negotiators for their tireless effort and powerful advocacy.
In the coming weeks, FA leadership and campus negotiators will hold informational meetings to present details of the agreement, answer questions, and hear your feedback. Please watch for additional information about campus meetings from your Faculty Association. Voting will be open September 7-13. If you are not a member of the IFO and wish to cast a vote for this contract you have until 4 pm on September 5 to become a member.
The IFO Board of Directors reviewed the settlement details and unanimously recommends the membership vote “yes” to ratify the tentative agreement.