Wednesday, September 7, 2016

Dear Colleagues,

Kathy Neils
Kathy Neils

We鈥檝e heard from a number of employees on two topics and听will address them both in this message.听 Some colleagues have expressed concern about the tone being used by employees on each side of the issue 鈥 pro-union and anti-union alike. Others have asked what they can do personally听to rally their colleagues who also oppose a unionization effort for 91制片厂 staff.

Regarding tone, we have provided听timely communications on topics related to unionization which we believe are important, and which we believe听the union will not accurately share with employees. Our purpose is to be as clear as possible. We know that tensions can rise when people receive information from one party that may not align with another.听 Making a decision about union representation is very important. But it is important for us all to recognize that we are first and foremost colleagues in a public flagship university. It would seem to be in everyone鈥檚 interest 鈥 and everyone includes the entire University community 鈥 to engage with each other respectfully and collegially. On this topic, as on most others, reasonable minds can disagree without being disagreeable. A respectful tone is the best way to allow every employee鈥檚 point of view to be heard, and permit each employee to make the best decision for themselves.

What can employees who are opposed to the union鈥檚 organizing effort do to express their point of view and join with like-minded colleagues? The rules here are different for administration听than they are for the听union. The law permits the union to orchestrate听 its campaign. The union can enlist your colleagues to spread its message, providing them with all necessary assistance and financing. The law does not permit the 91制片厂 administration to do the same. We cannot assist employees who oppose the union other than to听inform them of their legal rights. Those rights are simple and clear: employees who oppose the union have all of the same legal rights as pro-union employees to express their point of view. For example, employees who oppose union representation may, on听their personal time:

  • Send emails to co-workers听
  • Hold a rally on campus听
  • Reserve a room and hold a meeting听
  • Hand out flyers听
  • Make phone calls to co-workers听
  • Join conversations led by union supporters听to express your opinion听
  • Submit a testimonial to听Your Voice Matters
  • Meet with similarly-minded employees and plan activities听
  • Explain to co-workers all the benefits employees enjoy now without the need to pay union dues or an agency service fee
  • List other things employees could听buy for $375 every year rather than union dues or agency service fees

If you have questions about what you can and cannot do please reach out to your听HR Partner.听听 Every employee has an important decision to make and we encourage you to get the facts because your voice matters.

鈥擪athy Neils
Chief Human Resources Officer听

Read more in听Your Voice Matters,听a series of communications from university leadership to provide clarity about efforts to unionize 91制片厂 staff, where you can also submit questions and feedback.