Update on union organizing
April 13, 2011
April 11, 2011
Dear University Employee:
This letter (downloadable as a PDF at www.alaska.edu/labor/union-organizing/) provides you with information regarding several troubling issues surrounding union
activities at the university.
Upset employees recently contacted my office regarding workplace disruption by ASEA's
organizers. It is important for you to know that Alaska law does not allow workplace
disruption for organizing. In addition, union organizers are not permitted in work
areas, such as cubicles and offices, only public ones, such as commons areas, conference
rooms, halls and other venues regularly available to the public. Organizing can only
occur before or after work or during breaks. Unions are also required to notify the
university 24 hours before being on campus.
During the last unionizing effort, employees asked if they could be placed on a "do
not contact" list. We've provided that service, and have provided ASEA with a list
of employees who do not want to be contacted. Nevertheless, we understand from some
employees who asked not to be contacted that they have been. We'll continue to provide
ASEA with the list, but ultimately, it is up to ASEA to honor these requests. If you
experience this problem, please notify my office immediately.
I understand ASEA's failure to comply with the law is causing frustration among some
employees, and I want to assure you that my office has been working diligently to
ensure your rights are protected. Recently I sent a letter to ASEA's business manager,
Jim Duncan, regarding workplace disruptions and reminding him of his duty to comply
with Alaska law.
Some of you have expressed concern regarding the recent theft arrest of ASEA's former
organizing representative, Skye McRoberts, along with Labor and State Affairs Assistant
Attorney General Erin Pohland. The union has assured the university that Ms. McRoberts
no longer works for them, and our general counsel's office has contacted the Alaska
Labor Relations Agency to make sure Ms. Pohland is no longer involved in labor issues
involving the university.
The university continues to update its organizing webpage. The webpage includes informational resources regarding union organizing, including
an "FAQ regarding union and employee organizing activities on and off campus" (PDF). This document is a good starting point if you have concerns about organizing
activities during your work time.
Should you be disrupted by union organizing activities in the workplace or if you
have additional questions about organizing in general, please feel free to contact
my office at 450-8230 or syhrrelations@email.alaska.edu
More information is located on the Labor and Employee Relations organizing webpage.
Sincerely,
Beth E. Behner
Chief Human Resources Officer