Letter to the Editor: PAT Who Reject Representation
April 27, 2011
The undersigned would like to respond to recent mailings and e-mails that have been circulating from an organization representing themselves as Your PAT Staff Union. We would like to make it clear to those PAT colleagues that they are not our representatives. We do not seek and will not accept your representation and your vision of the future at UNH. We reject outright the notion that unionization of the PAT staff is the path to a more equitable and brighter future for the Professional, Administrative and Technical staff at the University of New Hampshire.
On one point, though, we do agree- the stakes are high. Our nation, state and institution are facing enormously challenging economic times. The unemployment rate is as high as it has been in decades. Gasoline prices are soaring and the price of food is climbing. We understand that we will need to pay more for our benefit package. This is not to say that we are joyous at prospect of our paychecks shrinking. What we do believe is that we want to be the arbiters of our own destinies. We want the ability to discuss directly our issues and concerns with the decision makers without a union representative in the way. We are not ready to dismiss the sincerity of the Board of Trustees in their desire to create equality among employee groups.
We do not agree with the union supporters’ points that pay and benefits will only grow in a union environment. We believe that this is a fantasy- negotiations would start from zero and all pay and benefits would be bargained. Union or no union, the changes to our current retirement and health benefits are going to happen. The promise of improved pay and benefits is uncertain. One thing is certain, though, the union will take 1.25 percent of your pay each and every paycheck. We urge you to think long and hard before signing a union card- keep in mind all that you stand to lose- not just what you hope to gain.
Jack |
Aydellot |
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Scott |
Chesney |
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Ralph |
Coughenour |
|
Brandon |
Crosby |
|
Guy |
Eaton |
Former PAT Council chair |
Michelle |
Fiumara-Montgomery |
|
Jane |
Gombar |
|
David |
Hill |
|
Kathy |
Irla-Chesney |
|
Shawn |
Kretchmar |
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Rick |
MacDonald |
Former PAT Council chair |
Florence |
Marble |
|
David |
May |
|
Dorrie |
McClintock |
Former PAT councilor |
Bill |
Meehan |
|
Steve |
Metcalf |
|
Julie |
Pardus-Oakes |
|
Jon |
Plodzik |
Former PAT councilor |
Andrew |
Porter |
|
Paul |
Roberts |
|
Deb |
Scanlon |
|
Dot |
Sheehan |
|
Colleen |
Sullivan |
|
Michel |
Williams |
|
Sean |
Winston |
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