From Stuck on Sidelines [Comment on Reply to Mains post]

Stuck on Sidelines said...

The assertion that the administration wants chairs at UCHC out of the union vote is ridiculous. It's Ed Marth that wants them out. He knows that most chairs at UCHC are anti-union. So, of course administration would want them to vote (to increase proportion of votes against). However, neither Ed nor the administration makes this decision. The Labor Board does. So, either Ed agreed to this, or (if there was a dispute), the Labor Board decided. Anonymous is correct. It isn't Ed or any of us who will decide our futures. It is the Labor Board.

I'm tired of standing on the sidelines, because I'm considered part of management. I'm not allowed to talk to anyone openly about my opinon. The folks in Hartford shut us all down as soon as the union lobbyist ran whining to Chris Donovan. Now, the only voices you are allowed to hear are those of pro-union advocates.

AAUP will say it's all about academic freedom, but believe me it's not. They don't want those of us who are anti-union to share our reasons. As soon as the administration started to come forth with information that might be construed as an anti-union perspective, we were told to stop or the politicians in Hartford would withdraw support for the Health Center.

I can't believe that people want Ed Marth bargaining for their work conditions and salaries. Wouldn't you rather walk into your chair's or dean's office yourself and discuss what you need to be effective? If you think that you deserve more salary or research seed money, wouldn't you rather take that up and make the arguments for yourself with your chair or dean?

The union can not guarantee salary. It cannot guarantee job security. It cannot guarantee voice in any decisions. It cannot guarantee the future of any of us.

What can it do? The union can guarantee that you can no longer negotiate your own work terms and future. The National Academies Fellow will be treated and rewarded the same as the faculty who produces no research, is a terrible teacher, and unproductive clinician. This is because the union does not set terms for individuals it sets them for the average -- the mediocre.
October 24, 2009 8:45 AM