Dear Quinn:
This is in response to your May 7 inquiry about “next steps.” The board through its Executive Committee and leadership has been in close communication with me about the various discussions with the union over the last year, and the spring meeting was the first opportunity since its winter meeting for the entire board to discuss in person a number of challenges that the college is facing. As you may know, the board has had a large number of new members over the past two years, and has worked to improve its approach to its governance responsibilities. As the entire board became more aware through its deliberations of the various perspectives regarding the implications of the proposed expansion, a consensus grew that the board had a responsibility to have more in-depth consideration of its approach to the relationship between the union and the college. As I stated on May 6, the Administration will be reporting to the Board of Trustees at its October 2019 meeting regarding the College’s voluntary discussions with the UGSDW on the subject of selective expansion of the existing bargaining unit. At that time or shortly thereafter, I expect that the Board will decide whether those discussions will continue and, if so, on what basis. There is nothing new to report on that subject at the moment. Be assured, however, that the College will be continuing negotiations with UGSDW over terms of a new collective bargaining agreement covering the dining service workers. I urge the UGSDW to be patient and thoughtful as it considers its next steps.
Sincerely,
Raynard S. Kington