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Our Position...We feel strongly about the need for a union at Illinois State University. Please read this article to see why it is important to Unionize NOW!
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Union
Condemns Last-minute Promises and Retaliation against Union Activist NORMAL, IL - Today, the ISU Nontenure-Track Faculty Association-IEA/NEA filed an unfair labor practice with the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board against Illinois State University, charging illegal interference in employees' decision about forming a union. President Victor Boshini was named in the charge. "It's sad that a few campus executives are spending so much time and money to fight their classroom instructors, who just want a democratic, fair, and effective means of improving their jobs," said Dr. Peter Miller, an organizer with the Illinois Education Association. "Refusing to re-hire a leading union supporter and promising changes for NTTs just as the election approaches is clearly illegal. We wish that the election could have proceeded without this interference," he added. The unfair labor practice charge is related to a union election for nontenure track (NTT) faculty, and it has two components. First, in recent weeks, ISU President Victor Boschini promised that the university will make significant changes in employment of nontenure track faculty. Boschini announced that the university will establish a grievance procedure, compile an employee handbook--which is the legal equivalent of a contract, enforce previously ignored rules requiring evaluation of NTT faculty, and make other changes. "The university has employed NTTs for decades, and they've had concrete recommendations for NTTs since 1997. And now, just a few weeks before the union election, they're promising all these changes," said Dr. Sharon MacDonald, a spokesperson for the ISU Nontenure Track Faculty Association-IEA/NEA and 30-year NTT faculty member. "That plus all the money they're spending on outside attorneys shows pretty clearly that they're trying to convince us we don't need a union. A union is the only reason they're making these promises, and if we don't vote for a union, the promises will disappear, right along with President Boschini." The second part of the charge is related to the university's stubborn refusal to re-hire Dr. Gretchen Knapp, an outspoken supporter of the union. In October 2002, Knapp won a grant to improve undergraduate education in ISU's Biological Sciences department. However, attempts to approve her appointment have been stymied by the Provost's Office, including ISU vice president of Academic Administrative Services, Sharon Stanford, and the Provost's Office. Knapp has worked at ISU since 1997, and has spoken out in the press and before the Illinois Board of Higher Education about the need to improve pay, job security, and working conditions for nontenure track faculty. "This is the clearest case possible of retaliation against a union activist," said Miller. "ISU is saying to NTTs, 'We have a carrot and we have a stick.' We alone have the power to change your jobs, and we can punish you if you step out of line. We're saddened that Dr. Stanford and the Provost's Office are resorting to these tactics. The actions are illegal, and the IEA will ensure that the rights of all NTTs to make their own choice are protected." According to state law, public education employees have the right to form, join or assist labor organizations without fear of discrimination, penalty or retaliation. Public employers like ISU are prohibited from interfering with, restraining or coercing an employee in the exercise of the employee's rights in labor organizing activities. State law also prohibits adverse employment actions such as failure to reemploy or rehire an employee based upon union activities. "The actions of a few administrators sends a bad message about how our university functions," MacDonald said. "Our union is fighting to guarantee nontenure-track faculty their rights, respect, and recognition. This is a prime example of standing up for one's rights." The ISU Nontenure Track Faculty Association-IEA/NEA began organizing in April 2002 in an effort to gain collective bargaining rights for nearly 40% of ISU's classroom instructors. They filed a petition for a union election last October, and are awaiting hearings to determine who will be able to participate in the union election. A union election is expected to take place before the end of the semester. For more information, contact: Peter Miller, IEA Organizer: (217) 637-5000 Gretchen Knapp, NTTFA Member, (309) 378-5627 Sharon MacDonald, NTTFA Spokesperson: (309) 376-5021 |
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