Like Craig Gunn, I think this discussion is very healthy and useful. Through
my lens as an outreach/extension specialist, I read Andrew's message below
to indicate advising and extension would be part of the "bargaining unit"
which means pay dues and be affected by the policies negotiated by the
union. Most of the voices I hear in support of the union are teaching,
term-limited employees. Many of us outside of that category do not want to
be included. -- Joy
Joy Neumann Landis
Michigan State University Integrated Pest Management Program
Assistant Coordinator and Communications Manager
B18 Food Safety & Toxicology Building, East Lansing, MI 48824 USA
Phone: 517.353.4951 FAX: 517.353.4995 Web: http://ipm.msu.edu
-----Original Message-----
From: MSU Academic Specialists [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of Andrew S. McCullough
Sent: Wednesday, February 25, 2009 5:59 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Specialist Union
Colleagues -
I won't belabor this discussion further except to clarify my earlier
statement. I was not at the conclave last Friday. A good friend and
colleague attended the conclave and I reported her perceptions of the
union discussion meeting. I should not go beyond that statement, and
apologize if that statement has become an issue.
I must also correct an earlier statement. I have asked the UNTF
organizers who they are recruiting for union membership, and their
efforts include advisory and extension specialists as well as teaching
specialists. The University would like to limit the "bargaining unit"
to teaching specialists, but I will not attempt to define that
discussion as I am not an expert on the matter.
Part of the information that local organizers have shared with people
includes the Agreement between The Regents of the University of Michigan
and the University of Michigan Lecturer's Employee Organization. This
is a 126 page document is available here:
http://www.leounion.org/documents/LEO-UM_07-10.pdf
I do find it somewhat remarkable that many people had no knowledge of
the unionization effort on campus. There has been mention of it on the
MSU website, in the local papers, and in some listserv conversations. I
am not sure why this effort is seen in such a negative light by some
specialists. There are many misperceptions and misconceptions of what
unionization would mean, including the amount of union dues. Emotions
run high around issues like unionization. My only desire here is that
each Academic Specialist on campus have the opportunity to learn about
the UNTF before making a judgment.
Thank you,
Andrew S. McCullough
Academic Specialist (Faculty Lecturer)
English Language Center
Michael J Rich wrote:
> Colleagues,
>
> In response to Andrew McCullough's comments, as a participant at the
> conclave, I disagree with his reporting of "...a few very vociferous
> anti-union voices made it difficult for those who wanted to learn more
> to actually learn more at the Conclave." It was my experience as an
> attendee of the meeting that the sentiment was twofold: that
> Specialist feel the unionization effort has been shadowy, and that the
> overwhelming sentiment, and I emphasize overwhelming, was that
> Specialist do not want to be in a union. I believe that the majority
> of those in attendance at the meeting would concur with my
> assessment. It was an open forum, moderated masterfully by Bob Brown,
> allowing both sides to share the floor. I simply disagree with the
> sentiment that anti-union folks obscured the meeting.
>
> Andrew also writes "please investigate what a union could do for us,
> and what it would and could not do." That is exactly what was
> occurring at the meeting, a dialog of information exchange.
> Interestingly, the union organizers declined an invitation to
> participate, thus fostering further mystery of the process, the pros,
> and the cons. This was an ideal venue for the union organizers to
> provide commentary on their mission, and the opportunity was
> declined. We Specialists are indeed trying to investigate the
> options, yet nearly every Specialist that I have talked to feel that
> the union has been elusive when it comes to promulgating details.
>
> Ultimately, if this comes to a vote, the majority of those casting
> votes will decide the issue. For instance, if there are 5 votes, with
> 3 affirmatives for unionizing, then there will be a union. Sara
> Handspike put it succinctly "Doing nothing IS making a decision!" As
> an ASAC member, I intend to give all eligible Specialist as much
> notice as possible should a vote become scheduled to allow the
> effected Specialist to cast their ballot on this issue for their
> preference, either yay or nay.
>
> Regards to all,
> Mike Rich
>
>
>
>
>
--
Andrew S. McCullough
ESL Lab Coordinator
Academic Specialist (Faculty Lecturer)
English Language Center
A-714 Wells Hall
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824-1027
ELC Phone: (517) 353-0800; FAX: (517) 432-1149
Direct Phone: (517) 884-1506
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
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The action of love has no motive; every other action has. - J. Krishnamurti
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