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by Badger Herald Editorial Board

Thursday, October 5, 2006

Chancellor John Wiley signed a new Limited Term Employee policy Tuesday that intends to convert the bulk of University of Wisconsin LTE positions to Full Time Employee positions over the next six years.

The LTE positions are meant for "seasonal or sporadic" jobs that are inappropriate for year-round hire. But while many jobs are just temporary, some LTEs work full-time hours and continue their tenure at UW without the appropriate benefits — the terms of these positions are limited, as are benefits including vacation, paid holidays, sick leave and performance awards.

These employees are essential to the smooth operation of our campus — especially at the Wisconsin Union, which employs about 150 limited-term employees at any given time. And according to the Union, over the next three years, 27 LTE positions will be converted into full-time positions.

Though controversy over the positions has continued for the past five years, UW reached the decision on its own, and we are glad LTEs who have been employed by the university in a substantial capacity are finally being recognized as full-time employees.

According to Vice Chancellor Darrell Bazzell, the additional salaries will amount to about $750,000, but the benefits easily outweigh the cost. Mr. Bazzell also said the money will come primarily from UW athletics and the Wisconsin Union, and a smaller portion from Wisconsin taxpayers.

The new policy will ensure that LTEs are not employed as inexpensive labor in place of full-time positions, and we commend Chancellor Wiley and UW for implementing a policy that is imperative for our campus.

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Anonymous (October 5, 2006 @ 9:01am):

"UW reached the decision on its own"

Seriously? Administrators didn't just wake up one morning and decide to do this. SLAC and AFSCME 171 were two of the driving forces behind this, and started talking about this over 5 years ago, before Chancellor Wiley was sitting at his Chancellor's desk. But the BH couldn't actually give SLAC or workers credit for anything, no, then they'd be perceived as too liberal.