Date: Thu, 08 Nov 2007 11:16:42 -0500
From: Gina Sayen <gmsayen@mtu.edu>
To: acadforum-l@mtu.edu
CC: Glenn Mroz <gdmroz@mtu.edu>, David Reed <ddreed@mtu.edu>,
        "Les P. Cook" <lpcook@mtu.edu>, Dan Greenlee <ddgreen@mtu.edu>,
        "TAHTINEN, DALE R." <drtahtin@mtu.edu>,
        Ellen Horsch <eshorsch@mtu.edu>, Shea McGrew <smcgrew@mtu.edu>,
        Lesley Lovett-Doust <lld@mtu.edu>,
        "William J. McKilligan" <wjmckill@mtu.edu>,
        Michael Gilles <mgilles@mtu.edu>, Ingrid Cheney <iecheney@mtu.edu>,
        Jim Baker <jrbaker@mtu.edu>
Subject: Decertification Petition Filed 10/31/07

Good Morning,

There has been a recent development in Michigan Tech's ongoing
negotiations with the AAUP.  This morning  the University  received a
copy of a petition to decertify the Michigan Tech chapter of the AAUP. 
The petition was filed with the Michigan Employment Relations Commission
(MERC)  on October 31, 2007, by Dr. James Mihelcic, Professor of Civil
and Environmental Engineering (see attached).  The petition requires
signatures from at least 30% of the approximately 311 tenured and
tenure-track members of the bargaining unit.

As a result of this filing, bargaining between Michigan Tech and the
AAUP will cease.  This is in compliance with the dictates of MERC, which
call for the cessation of bargaining if there is a pending question
concerning representation.  It is also consistent with the March 2007
ruling of Administrative Law Judge, Julia Stern.  Their reasoning is
that bargaining while a decertification petition is pending would
demonstrate favoritism, and the University must remain neutral in such
disputes.

The likely next step will involve MERC officials validating the faculty
signatures on the petition and requesting any documentation which may
have a bearing on the representation question.  Once MERC has validated
the petition and collected other related information, it will determine
the process and timetable for resolving the representation issue, which
would include the scheduling of an election.

Recall that there is a pending Unfair Labor Practice charge filed by the
AAUP.  Hearings originally scheduled for last week were previously
adjourned at the AAUP's request and will be scheduled for a later date.

Also, be reminded that the University cannot and will not take a
position on the question of faculty representation.  We respect the
right of faculty to determine whether or not they wish to be unionized.

*If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
*

Ellen

--

Ellen S. Horsch
Vice President for Administration
Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI  49931

Phone:  906-487-1737
Cell:  906-369-1737