|
Comment on this article |
View comments |
Email this Feature
|
|
News :: Civil & Human Rights : Economy : Education : Labor |
|
AFSCME Local 3700 Files Unfair Labor Practice Charge Against UI Stall Tactic |
Current rating: 0 |
by AFSCME Local 3700
(No verified email address) |
21 Dec 2004
|
"On average, we make just one thousand dollars a year more than the custodial staff. The employees that mow the grass make three thousand a year more than we do."
Dorinda Miller, President of AFSCME Local 3700 said, "We don’t begrudge any worker a decent wage, we just want to make sure our predominantly female staff are equally compensated for the skills and knowledge they are required to have, not paid less because they are females." |
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31 announced today through a press release that they have filed an unfair labor practice charge against the University of Illinois for failing to bargain in good faith in the contract negotiations with AFSCME Local 3700. Jerry L. Wright, Staff Representative with AFSCME Council 31 and the lead negotiator for the Union said, "We regret that we have been forced to file this charge against the University of Illinois since we have enjoyed a very good labor management relationship with the University. In the past we have always been able to sit down and work out our issues, that is until these negotiations began and the University made clear their intent to lower that standard of living for our members. Now they are not fulfilling their obligation to make themselves available to bargain on a regular basis."
"Our first meeting was held on May 26, we have met eight additional times in past six months, we have repeatedly told the University we want to meet more frequently, and they have not made themselves available."
"In November they told us they would not be available to meet for a full month due to the illness of their lead negotiator. Even though their number two person was in charge of the negotiations at the November meeting with the assistance of Denise Hendricks, Director of Personnel and associate vice chancellor of human resources." Wright said, "The University is over staffed with people qualified to come to the table and bargain this contract, they just are not doing it."
According to the charge filed with the Illinois Education Labor Relations Board the Union wants the Labor Board to "Direct the University to bargain in good faith by meeting at least once every two weeks or more". In addition they want the University to publish a quarter page ad in the Daily Illini and that News Gazette stating they will not refuse to bargain in good faith, and they will not violate the Illinois Education Labor Relations Act again by refusing to meet and negotiate on a regular basis.
In addition the unfair labor practice charge asks that all AFSCME Local 3700 bargaining unit members be made whole for any loss of pay or benefits they may have suffered by the University of Illinois’s refusal to bargain.
Dorinda Miller, President of AFSCME Local 3700 gave a brief statement on the negotiations that took place on December 20. She said, "The University continues to insist on the elimination of the step program in the second and third year of the agreement with an across the board increase as determined by the University… not negotiated with the Union. It’s clear to us how much the University values the work performed by the clerical staff at the University of Illinois."
"On average, we make just one thousand dollars a year more than the custodial staff. The employees that mow the grass make three thousand a year more than we do."
Miller said, "We don’t begrudge any worker a decent wage, we just want to make sure our predominantly female staff are equally compensated for the skills and knowledge they are required to have, not paid less because they are females. If the University is successful in taking the step plan away from our members their standard of living will be destroyed for years to come." Miller concluded her comments by saying, "The parties have agreed to bring in Federal Mediation for our next meeting, maybe they can help us reach a fair agreement."
AFSCME Local 3700 represents over 1600 clerical staff at the UIUC campus and Extension offices around the state and are the second largest Local Union within AFSCME Council 31. |
This work licensed under a
Creative Commons license. |
|
Re: AFSCME Local 3700 Files Unfair Labor Practice Charge Against UI Stall Tactic |
by goodriddancegipper
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
27 Dec 2004
|
AFSCME Local 3700:
I am sure I'm not alone when I convey my support to you in your fight with the University. Having been through similar situations with the University before, I am not surprised but am unfortunately equally appalled with their behavior with your union. Stay strong, stay united, don't take any crap from the U of I, and keep plugging yourselves into the area support networks that certainly exist here in the twin cities.
I have a couple questions about your situation. When is your contract's expiration date? Other than the wage issues, are there other workplace problems that exist? How far have you proceeded in negotiations? That is, have you gotten much past the swapping of proposals stage? Just some questions whose answers would help some of us publicize your plight.
In Solidarity,
GRG |
