When our negotiating team fought for and won paid parental leave for our bargaining unit, they were also bargaining for the common good. On Thursday, July 24th, Human Resources made the announcement we’ve been waiting for: the paid parental leave benefit has been extended to many other employees across the university. As you have seen on lawn signs across town, a stronger union means a stronger community!

Effective August 1, employees are eligible for six weeks (or thirty business days) of paid parental leave, without utilizing their other available paid benefit time (e.g., sick leave, Personal Plus Time). This leave is available for the first year following the birth of a child or within the first year following the placement of a child for adoption or foster care in the employee’s home. Employees can access this benefit once during a rolling 12-month period. In addition to our bargaining unit members, ISU administrative professionals, civil service employees (excluding temporary, student, or extra help appointments), faculty associates, and non-tenure track faculty can access this important paid parental leave benefit that we fought for in our contract negotiations. This is an example of UFISU fighting for and securing a stronger ISU for everyone, including our families!