Radio Free Asia Guild Unit -- Nov. 2, 2004 Bulletin

Nov. 2, 2004

BARGAINING BULLETIN #29

Management Proposes Performance-Based Pay Hikes, Eliminaton Of COLA
For Radio Free Asia Employees

RFA management delivered its first wage proposal Monday, addressing some Guild concerns but falling far short in most areas.

Under the management proposal, the annual cost of living increase we receive in January of each year would be eliminated. All pay raises would be based on performance reviews. Those not getting a satisfactory review would not get a pay raise.

For this year, RFA would agree to the Guild proposal to add two steps to each grade. Employees receiving satisfactory performance evaluations would move up one step.

In the second year of the contract, there would be no step increases. Instead, management proposed to move all broadcasters in Grade 4 to Grade 5, and all broadcasters in Grade 5 to Grade 6. Administrative assistants in Grade 3 would be moved to Grade 4. No one else would receive raises.

There would be no raises in 2006.

On January 1, 2007, employees receiving satisfactory performance evaluations would get a step increase. RFA management proposed a three-year contract.

For retirement, RFA management proposed continuing the maximum 10.5 percent company contribution. But they proposed reducing the amount an employee must contribute to receive the maximum RFA contribution.

Currently you must contribute seven percent to get the maximum company contribution. That would drop to four percent under the RFA management proposal. We’ve proposed increasing the RFA contribution to 12 percent and eliminating the employee minimums completely. Employees could still contribute if they wanted to.

In severance, RFA management said all it can guarantee is one week’s pay – and only for laid-off employees. We have proposed three weeks severance pay for each year of service for employees laid off or discharged – except those discharged for gross misconduct.

Radio Free Asia Guild Unit -- News