Why I Have Decided to Support the Union

Interestingly, when talk of a union started months ago, I decided early on that I would not vote in favor of a union. Obviously I changed my mind and the reason is simple: I began to take the anti-union rhetoric personally, whether from "Veritas," "The College," or from equivocating statements from Dr. Wallace.

At last fall's College Wide Convocation, I understood Dr. Wallace to say that he could not commit to a raise for faculty and a reduction to 30 points because the faculty was divided And, until faculty made up our collective mind about what we wanted, no decisions regarding those above mentioned issues (and some others) could or would be made. I thought at that time and still do think that faculty was not divided on the issues of point reduction and a raise.

I felt that Dr. Wallace was using the unfortunate problems regarding the Faculty Senate presidential election as an excuse to delay what by all accounts he had already promised to support and what he now states publicly that he supports: a reduction in points and a pay raise.

Personally, I felt betrayed that Dr. Wallace would renege on his promise and then try to divide faculty by playing one side against the other.

I did not come to my decision to vote for the union based purely on emotion. It seems to me that peace and contentment within the College could/would have prevailed and the "truths," half-truths, and misunderstandings would never have occurred if the specific terms of any communications and decisions between administration and faculty had been written in a binding contract, which is what would happen with a union-negotiated agreement.

In addition, I feel another plus for a union is the fact that faculty issues would be discussed and negotiated on an equal, open and fair playing field rather than having arbitrary decisions being made without faculty input behind closed doors.

Furthermore, I do not believe the administration will refuse to negotiate with union representatives for reasonable and fair faculty issues such as a salary increase and point reductions. After all, faculty and administration want the same things: a real sense of collegiality and what is best for the College.

And if this is not the case, I will change my mind again and be out there with Thomasina Paine crusading for decertification of the union.

-–Debbie Reynolds, Communications, KC