Merit Supervisory and Confidential FAQ

Who are Supervisory and Confidential Merit Employees?

Supervisory and Confidential (S/C) merit employees are non-contract, non-bargaining unit merit staff. S/C employees are exempted from collective bargaining under the Public Employment Relations Act (PERA) of 1974 and Chapter 20 of the Code of Iowa. Consequently, S/C employees are not covered by the contract negotiated between the State of Iowa and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Council 61 AFL-CIO (AFSCME).

The Regents Merit System Rules govern the working environment of S/C employees and can be found at http://www.uni.edu/hrs/merit/handbook/index.html. Further guidelines for University policies regarding merit S/C employees may be found in the University of Northern Iowa’s Policies and Procedures Manual. A copy of the manual is located in each University department and on the University’s web site at http://www.uni.edu/pres/policies/.

What is the Definition of a "Confidential" Merit Employee?

"Confidential" employees are defined as those in classifications contained in the bargaining unit who work in a human resources office or who have access to confidential information that may be used in collective bargaining negotiations. Confidential employees have transfer rights that allow them to exercise seniority to other contract-covered positions within their classification but not to other confidential positions.

Since Confidential employees maintain the same classification titles as clerical employees who are covered by collective bargaining, their pay, pay increases, and benefits are determined in the bargaining process for clerical positions (500 series). For Confidential employee benefits information, see http://www.vpaf.uni.edu/hrs/merit/benefits.shtml

What is the Definition of a "Supervisory" Merit Employee?

"Supervisory" employees are defined by their job classification as supervisory under the PERA and Chapter 20 of the Iowa Code; and are exempt because their responsibilities typically require them to exercise supervisory responsibilities over other Merit staff. This determination is not made by individual positions and assignments, but rather, on the basis of the classification and the typical duties or responsibilities of that classification. Unlike contract-covered employees, Supervisory employees have no transfer rights that allow them to exercise seniority to other positions within their classification.

Supervisory employees are classified as either clerical supervisory or non-clerical supervisory. Wages for supervisory employee positions (100 series) are determined by legislation enacted by the State of Iowa General Assembly. For information on the benefits available to Supervisory employees, see http://www.vpaf.uni.edu/hrs/meritsc/supervisory_benefits.shtml.

How are Supervisory and Confidential Employees Represented at UNI?

The University of Northern Iowa Supervisory and Confidential Merit Personnel (UNI-SCMP) is the recognized organization representing all non-bargaining unit merit staff at the University level. The Executive Board of UNI-SCMP is comprised of five elected representatives and one ex-officio member, the Director of Human Resource Services or his/her designee. For more information on UNI-SCMP or its meetings, visit: http://www.vpaf.uni.edu/hrs/meritsc/index.asp.

At the Board of Regents’ level, S/C employees are represented by the Regents Interinstitutional Supervisory and Confidential Advisory Council (RISCAC). Other institutions represented by RISCAC include the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, Iowa Braille & Sight Saving School, and the Iowa School for the Deaf. UNI-SCMP’s Executive Board Chair, Vice-Chair, and one other officer serve as members of RISCAC. Information on RISCAC can also be found at http://www.vpaf.uni.edu/hrs/meritsc/index.asp