All:

I'm sure you will see the front page article in the Mining Gazette today about the situation with the AAUP.  As I indicated recently, there is a mediation session scheduled for next Monday, and I will update you again after that.

In case anyone asks, the article quotes Bruce Barna as saying "The unfair labor practice (complaint) automatically blocks the decertification".  While we do not know if Bruce actually said this or not, it is not accurate.  The ULP only blocks the decertification election if the union labels it a blocking charge, which they have done.  As said in previous notes, the blocking charge is an allegation that the activity alleged in the ULP (related to the 3.7% raises given last August) led to faculty deciding to sign the decertification petition.  It is the blocking charge designation that stops the election, not simply the filing of a ULP complaint.  The blocking charge designation is voluntary on the part of the union, and an election could be quickly scheduled if the union removed the blocking charge.

Dave R

David D. Reed

Vice President for Research

Michigan Technological University

1400 Townsend Drive

Houghton, MI  49931