From Sandra Hewett

8/26/09 2:52 PM

Hi Bill,

Please note, Mr. Marth is only involved because faculty from this institution approached him. Ed Marth isn’t trying to persuade you to join the AAUP. No one is. As you mention, we are all intelligent people. Weigh the pros and cons and cast a vote (should it come to that). But comparing dollar densities across campuses and making an argument for the positive and negative effects of a union on faculty productivity shouldn’t even been on the list. First, you are comparing apples to oranges. Second, the success or decline of any institution is not based on one entity and it would be absurd for anyone to think this were so. Third, as I read his replies to you, I find no assertion or claims that unionization will help you be more productive in your research or that someone (let’s not forget we have many clinical brethren at this institution) will be a better clinician because there is a union. Why would it? A union is about representation.

Leo mentioned that his post-docs complain that their “union has done little except once again extract dues from the members with no real bargaining power to do anything meaningful for the postdocs.” I actually am heartened to hear it. They are fully in the background doing what they need to do to make sure post-docs are treated fairly and are paid fairly and then they are staying out of the way. His post-docs should ask why UCHC post-docs are unionized? Because 6 or 7 yr ago, the administration failed to protect a significant number of them from abuse (financial and emotional). And I don’t use that word lightly. They were being treated as indentured servants. The past administration knew of the problems, could have addressed the issues, and chose not to do so. The post-docs had no choice. I actually was part of the management negotiating team that negotiated the contract on behalf of the UCHC. Because of the courage of the former post-docs, the current post-docs have benefited.

Also Leo notes: “My other issue with unions is that one does not have a choice to join or not- if the vote is passed you cannot opt out.” This is true in CT but not in 22 other states. This is CT state law. One can always write your congressman to find out how to change it. For now, that is what we have.

Please take a look at the AAUP website if you haven’t already done so. http://www.aaup.org/AAUP/protect/bargaining/aaup-unionism.htm It will give you an idea of what can and can not be achieved by unionizing specifically with the AAUP. Directly from the site:



“Academic unions provide many benefits.

• Unions enable faculty and other members of the academic community, who would be powerless alone, to safeguard their teaching and working conditions by pooling their strengths.

• Unions make it possible for different sectors of the academic community to secure contractual, legally enforceable claims on college administrations, at a time when reliance on traditional advice and consent has proved inadequate.

• Unions provide members with critical institutional analyses—of budget figures, enrollment trends, and policy formulations—that would be unavailable without the resources provided by member dues and national experts.

• Unions increase the legislative influence and political impact of the academic community as a whole by maintain­ing regular relations with state and federal governments and collaborating with affiliated labor organizations.

• Unions reinforce the collegiality necessary to preserve the vitality of academic life under such threats as de-professionalization and fractionalization of the faculty, privatization of public services, and the expanding claims of managerial primacy in governance. “

Finally as to your unanswered e-mail…...the language that you are so concerned about on (second paragraph) the authorization cards is set by the CT Labor Board, not by the AAUP. It is the “Please you’re the effort to put a locally governed chapter of the AAUP on the ballot” that is important. There are no boogie men in the closet.

Sandra