Dear Colleagues,
We’ve heard from a number of employees on two topics and will address them both in this message. Some colleagues have expressed concern about the tone being used by employees on each side of the issue — pro-union and anti-union alike. Others have asked what they can do personally to rally their colleagues who also oppose a unionization effort for UNH staff.
Regarding tone, we have provided timely communications on topics related to unionization which we believe are important, and which we believe the union will not accurately share with employees. Our purpose is to be as clear as possible. We know that tensions can rise when people receive information from one party that may not align with another. Making a decision about union representation is very important. But it is important for us all to recognize that we are first and foremost colleagues in a public flagship university. It would seem to be in everyone’s interest — and everyone includes the entire University community — to engage with each other respectfully and collegially. On this topic, as on most others, reasonable minds can disagree without being disagreeable. A respectful tone is the best way to allow every employee’s point of view to be heard, and permit each employee to make the best decision for themselves.
What can employees who are opposed to the union’s organizing effort do to express their point of view and join with like-minded colleagues? The rules here are different for administration than they are for the union. The law permits the union to orchestrate its campaign. The union can enlist your colleagues to spread its message, providing them with all necessary assistance and financing. The law does not permit the UNH administration to do the same. We cannot assist employees who oppose the union other than to inform them of their legal rights. Those rights are simple and clear: employees who oppose the union have all of the same legal rights as pro-union employees to express their point of view. For example, employees who oppose union representation may, on their personal time:
- Send emails to co-workers
- Hold a rally on campus
- Reserve a room and hold a meeting
- Hand out flyers
- Make phone calls to co-workers
- Join conversations led by union supporters to express your opinion
- Submit a testimonial to Your Voice Matters
- Meet with similarly-minded employees and plan activities
- Explain to co-workers all the benefits employees enjoy now without the need to pay union dues or an agency service fee
- List other things employees could buy for $375 every year rather than union dues or agency service fees
If you have questions about what you can and cannot do please reach out to your HR Partner. Every employee has an important decision to make and we encourage you to get the facts because your voice matters.
—Kathy Neils
Chief Human Resources Officer
Read more in Your Voice Matters, a series of communications from university leadership to provide clarity about efforts to unionize UNH staff, where you can also submit questions and feedback.
