Union Organizing Activities

An arbitrator has ruled that only Alaska State Employees Association (ASEA) can proceed with unionization efforts at UA. They have filed a petition clarifying the employee group they are trying to organize. A copy is available on the Statewide Labor Relations site (click here). You can also view ASEA site (click here).

UA Labor and Employee Relations website is updated regularly. It has all the communication between the University and the union organizations. ASEA filed a revised petition April 13, 2010 to include Exempt and Non-exempt staff who do not hold supervisory positions. This site has great information for review.

The number of employees not represented between Exempt and Non-exempt is about 2500. UAF, UAA and UAS staff make up this number. UAF and ASEA will now begin the process of determining who are supervisors and who are not. Once this process is completed it will then be determined whether ASEA has enough signature cards or if more need to be obtained to have a vote. It is unclear at this time how long the process may take.

Whether you are for the union or against the union be informed. If it goes to a vote please remember to let your voice be heard and VOTE.

Technology Advisory Board (TAB) Spring 2010

Approximately $210,000 was available for awards. Twenty were either fully or partially funded for a total of $108,754 being awarded. The remaining funds were set aside as a one-time allocaiton for the UAF Faculty and Student Technology (FAST) Committee to propose a much needed strategic direction to OIT on Smart Classroom requirements on campus.

These funds may be used to refresh existing Smart Classrooms that are failing or to convert non-Smart Classrooms into a minimum level necessary (Tier 1) for most basic classroom instruction on campus.

UAF Mediation

• There were 40 people at the mediation training in February. EEO has put together a solid mediation program.
• Continuing edcuation type trainings will continue to be offered by mediators.
• General Counsel has created solid documentation for mediators to use for the mediation process.
• An example of a mediation session is a dispute between a supervisor and employee. Or employee Vs employee.
• If UA became unionized the process would probably fold into the union.

Staff Appreciation Day Registration

Registration for Staff Appreciation Day workshops will be open from April 13th to April 24th. Be on the lookout for an email with a link later this week. Early registration is strongly encouraged. Several workshops have a participant limit. Continental breakfast, lunch and an afternoon ice cream social are available for those who register!

Registration for the BBQ lunch is REQUIRED!

Chancellor Rogers - Updates

Chancellor Rogers, recently back from Juneau, was able to provide updates on several topics concerning UAF.

• The budget is in the House Finance Subcommittee. At this point it appears Cooperative Extension may receive $190,000 and the Health Budget may receive $175,000. UAF submitted a pay raise package suggesting 60% / 40%. This would mean that 60% would come from General funds and 40% would come from Non-General funds. However, it appears this may be changed to 50% / 50% which is a short fall of $1.6 million.
• Trying to get federal funding for the Life Sciences project.
• Capital budget is extremely meager at this point. Governor Palin will have a marginal impact on UAF as she is concentrating on unemployment and K-12 issues.
• There are several hoops that must be jumped through if monies are accepted from the Stimulus Package. Example: weekly reporting on how the monies are being spent, and they must be spent rather quickly.
• There are options through the State of Alaska that UAF may be able to capitalize on to help with the budget issues. There is a Cops Grant that UAF Police Dept may be able to apply for to help with there concerns.

The Chancellor was exciting at how the Staff Appreciation Day is coming together. He realizes it will cover a variety of topics and is encouraged and excited to see all the effort being put into making this an event that will recognize staff, orient new staff, provide professional development in a fun environment.

Sean McGee - UAF Police Chief

Chief McGee and the UAF Police Dept are working on several mechanisms to make UAF as safe as possible. Although it is the departments mission to protect and serve they are also concentrating on non-traditional roles such as:

• Education - how to be more aware of your surroundings.
• Training - what to do in emergency situations
• Presentations - why do you need the above two items
• Crime Prevention Services - come to your area to provide tips to make your area safer
• Survival Tactics - what do you do if there is a shooting

They are also working on establishing a "Building Safety Coordinator". This person would be responsible for notifying the occupants of that building of any emergency situation. Although there will be one coordinator, this will be a team effort as some buildings have multiple floors.

Chief McGee stated that there are quite a few mechanisms in place to address issues. Their concern and issue they are trying to address at this point is getting this information out to the UAF community so we are aware of what the mechanisms are and what we need to do.