The University of Wisconsin-Superior and UW-Eau Claire became the first campuses in the state with faculty unions last spring. Now UW-Superior is taking the next step toward a bargaining agreement.

UW-Superior joined the American Federation of Teachers - Wisconsin in May 2010 after faculty voted 75 to 5 in favor of unionizing. Now, UW-Superior Union President Gloria Toivola says they’re assigning officer positions. The next step is a bargaining agreement.

“We are now putting together the bargaining committee and then we will begin to engage in the bargaining process. So we will be putting together our proposals,” Toivola said. “I’m sure the campus administration will be putting together their proposals and we move forward from there. This is a process that will probably take a bit of time but we’re really looking forward to having that first contract.”

UW-Superior history professor Joel Sipress has been a union supporter since before the vote. Sipress says some faculty fear trouble ahead.

“We’re of course in tough economic times, just like any public or private entity, we’re concerned with the way the economy and particularly the state budget might affect staffing levels at the University,” said Sipress. “I think a lot of it, frankly, depends upon the results of the November election.”

Toivola says they hope to finish the bargaining agreement before the end of the school year in May.