The California State University system and its academic student employees, composed of teaching associates, graduate assistants and instructional student assistants, recently reached a tentative deal that would delay the possibility of fee waivers for two years.

The union representing the 5,400 CSU academic student employees had been vying to have enrollment fees waived since April 2008. But union representatives backed off and agreed to preserve the status quo in light of the state’s severe budget crisis.

“We deserve fee waivers. Most other schools get them,” said Mike Althouse, a Sacramento State teaching assistant in the communication studies department. “But the reality is we’re pretty happy, and the fee waivers won’t happen in the budget crisis.”

The three-year tentative agreement, which will be voted on this week, allows the employees to renegotiate for fee waivers after the second year. The contract, if ratified, would run through Sept. 30, 2013.

Although the proposed agreement will keep wages levels the same, it will expand the rights of employees in several ways, according to the United Auto Workers, a union that represents the academic student employees, including 253 at Sac State. Improved job security

If an employee accepts a position that is later eliminated, the employee’s salary is guaranteed. The university must also place the employee in an equal position if available, according to the union’s website. Improved evaluation rights

When a teaching assistant, graduate assistant or instructional student assistant is offered a position, it will include a detailed explanation of how the employee is expected to spend his or her assigned hours. “This will reduce the likelihood that you will be asked to work more hours than you are paid for,” according to the union’s website. Broader employment opportunities

Employees enrolled in an interdisciplinary degree program will be eligible to become teaching assistants in any department within the program, the website states. Improved discrimination protections

The proposed contract contains new language prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity and gender expression. The language is tied to the growing national movement to expand and improve the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, the website states. New employment rights

Tutors who work off campus will receive the same contractual benefits as those who work on campus.

The concessions were made following a report by a neutral fact-finder, who both parties agreed to enlist in November 2008. Although the fact-finder’s recommendations on fee issues were not binding, the union agreed to adhere to them, the website states.

In its report, the fact-finder wrote, “In the face of (CSU) reductions and ongoing fiscal uncertainty … I am reluctant to recommend a new monetary benefit, which will significantly benefit one of two key revenue sources for the CSU.”

The reductions included a 21 percent cut to the CSU’s General Fund, drastically reduced enrollment, furloughs and increased student fees, according to the CSU.

“Despite this setback, the new contract makes critical progress on advancing our rights,” the website states, labeling the fact-finder’s report “unfortunate.”

Ken Paglia can be reached at [email protected].