On Friday, June 12, the Nevada Board of Regents approved the TMCC-NFA Contract 2026-31 during its quarterly meeting at the University of Nevada, Reno.
The agreement, previously ratified by nearly 80% of voting TMCC members on May 1, 2026, will take effect on July 1, 2026. While the contract runs through June 30, 2031, either party can unilaterally reopen negotiations anytime after June 30, 2029. This provision allows up to two years to resolve any contentious issues that may require formal fact-finding.
Key Highlights of the Contract
Equity and Representation
A primary focus of the negotiations was achieving equity across roles. The new contract ensures that administrative faculty, librarians, and counselors receive contract language equitable to that of instructional faculty.
New Benefits
- Summer Pay Adjustments: Starting in 2027, summer teaching rates will increase regularly based on the Higher Education Price Index (HEPI).
- Leave Flexibility: Faculty members now have the ability to use a personal day on a designated teaching day.
Strengthened Faculty Rights
- Intellectual Property: Enhanced protections for faculty-created work.
- Due Process: Clearer, more transparent procedures for faculty involved in student complaint processes.
Structural and Compensation Changes
- Consolidated Leadership Roles: Academic Program Coordinators and Academic Program Directors are now merged into a single category: Accredited Program Leaders (APL).
- Department Chair Stability: Department Chairs will remain full members of the collective bargaining unit in compliance with the NSHE Code. Additionally, the Department Chair point system was revised to minimize pay and release-time volatility.
- Stipend Increases: For the first time in over 20 years, Department Chair stipends will increase. APL stipends will also rise to maintain equity with Chairs.
Attendance Requirements
While the TMCC-NFA was unable to eliminate mandatory attendance at commencement and convocation, they successfully negotiated increased flexibility:- Faculty may request to be excused from required events.
- Faculty are only required to attend one ceremony per year.
- Alternative completion events (such as program graduations or pinning ceremonies) may now substitute for commencement.
The Debate Over Binding Arbitration
During the meeting, Regent Jeff Downs raised questions regarding binding arbitration—an issue that has recently led to negotiation impasses at CSN and WNC.
Outgoing TMCC-NFA President Jim New noted that while union negotiators introduced binding arbitration at the bargaining table, administrative negotiators balked. New emphasized that TMCC-NFA strongly favors binding arbitration as a crucial tool to motivate settlements when strikes are legally prohibited.
Conversely, TMCC President Jeff Alexander voiced opposition, stating he believes no third party should make decisions that bind the regents or the governor. Regent Downs countered this stance, pointing out that both the regents and the governor are already subject to binding arbitration in existing contracts for Classified employees.
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