Date: Fri, 1 Jun 2007 14:48:37 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Faculty Union Update - June 1, 2007
From: ddreed@mtu.edu
To: acadforum-l@mtu.edu, jrbaker@mtu.edu, aquinn@mtu.edu, wjmckill@mtu.edu,
        mgilles@mtu.edu

All:

When the ground rules for negotiations were established between the union
and the University, both parties indicated a belief that negotiations were
best conducted at the table and not through the media.  This was indicated
by a ground rule saying that either party must give 72 hours notice if
they are going to the media.  You should know that the union provided such
notice, and by doing so indicated that they no longer feel bound to keep
negotiations only at the table.

This is unfortunate, and almost certainly will not lead to an improved
negotiating environment at the table.  It is within the union's
prerogative, but will undoubtedly change the tenor of the negotiations and
it is difficult to see how it will promote progress in reaching a
contract.

Anyway, you should know that, beginning Monday June 4, the union may be
initiating media contact and stories about the negotiations may begin
appearing in the local media.

Dave R