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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (May 8, 1981)
Dismissal of charges helps union By MARIAN GREEN Of the Emerald Higher education public em ployees are pleased with the recent dismissal of an unfair labor practice charge filed by the state against their union, according to a labor represen tative. “Our position has been bol stered by the board’s dismis sal,” says Jeff Schrader, Oregon Public Employees Union higher education coali tion representative. “It also shows the allegations were without foundation.” The charge was filed through the state Employees Relations Board. The OPEU higher education coalition, which is composed of public employees from Oregon's eight public colleges and universities, believes the decision strengthens its nego tiating power, Schrader said. The state and the OPEU are negotiating for the 1981-83 biennium contract but little pro gress has been made in the several months of negotiations, according to OPEU newsletter editor Doug Crooks. The union’s current contract expires June 30. Recently, the state charged the OPEU with four kinds of unfair labor practice. The ERB determined the charges to be unfounded. Citing one or more Oregon statutes, the ERB found the first three allegations — charges that the union prematurely called for mediation — baseless. “Even if all the facts alleged in this allegation were found to be true, the Board could not find OPEU guilty of bad-faith bargaining,” the ERB said in answer to such charges. “Even taken in combination, the nine charges do not consti tute conduct sufficient to frus trate the collective bargaining process or to evidence a refusal to bargain in good faith." According to Schrader, the state made the charges “to grab the headlines and nothing else.” Schrader says the dismissal sends a message to the bar gaining units to “use the facili ties of the state mediation ser vice — that’s what it’s there for.” The coalition plans to do just that, Schrader says. It will hold mediations with the state on May 11-12. The state and coalition have been meeting since late February, but no progress has been made after nine bargain ing meetings, Schrader says. “We hope for a change in management’s position. We certainly entered in with a spirit of compromise, knowing full well that we both have to give and take,” Schrader says. The coalition and the state are considering issues that in clude safety and health, union rights and personnel records. Safety and health has emerged as an important issue The higher education coalition wants the state to supply un iforms and protective gear for its employees, who range from secretaries and clerks to elec tricians and plumbers. A central OPEU team bar gains with the state on econ omic issues, such as salary, vacations and benefits, for all state public employees. The Student University Relations Council Presents DUCK WEEK and Parents'Weekend May 11-17 MONDAY Mystery Duck Clues continue weeklong contest to identify a campus personality. Simply ask, “Are you the Mystery Duck?” Many prizes. 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Art Exhibit, Rm. 167 EMU. Noon Raising Duck Week flag, EMU. Signals the beginning of Duck Week. Activities begin around the EMU. All Day Street Faire Noon Lunchtime Entertainment, EMU Breezeway. 3:45 p.m. Slow Bike Race, 13th and Kincaid. TUESDAY All Day Street Faire. 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Art Exhibit, Rm. 167 EMU. Noon Lunchtime Entertainment, EMU Breezeway. 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. Frisbee Golf, Campus. Call 686-5555 for more info. WEDNESDAY All Day Street Faire 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Art Exhibit, Rm. 167 EMU Noon Lunchtime Entertainment, EMU Breezeway. 2:30 p.m. Eating Contest, EMU East Lawn. THURSDAY 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Art Exhibit, Rm. 167 EMU. Noon Lunchtime Entertainment, EMU Breezeway. FRIDAY 8:30 a.m. Parents attend classes with students. 11 a.m. 7 p.m. Art Exhibit, Rm. 167 EMU Noon Lunchtime Entertainment, EMU Breezeway. 3:30 p.m. Parents’ Registration, EMU. 4 p.m. Beer Garden, EMU. FRIDAY (continued) 6 p.m. Canoe Fete, Mill Race. Living organiza tions compete under the theme “Cartoons.” (Winner of Mystery Duck Contest announced.) 8 p.m. Jazz Ensemble, Beall Hall. Bill Cosby Concert, McArthur Court. SATURDAY 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Hacky Sack Tournament, Howe Field. 8 a.m. - Noon Late Registration, EMU. 8- 9 a.m. Parents’ Association Board Meeting, EMU. 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Special Olympics, Hayward Field. 9- 10 a.m. Parents’ Association general meet ing, EMU. 9:30 a.m. All Campus Tours, Open House — Fraternities/Sororities/Dormitories, EMU. 10:30 -11:15 a.m. EMU, Prof. Sharon Sherman “Oregon Folklore” Prof. Robert Smith “The Economic Outlook for the Future.” 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Residence Hall Carnival for parents, 15th and Agate. Art Exhibit, Rm. 167 EMU. 11:30 a.m. -12:15 p.m. Prof. Gordon G. Goles “A Look at Mt. St. Helens.” Dr. Richard Hill “Crisis of Higher Education.” 12:30 p.m. Luncheon, EMU. 5 p.m. Northwest Relays, Hayward Field. 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. Movie: “Apocolypse Now,” EMU Ballroom. 7 p.m. Parents’ Association Wine and Cheese Reception, Gerlinger Alumni Lounge. 8 p.m. Jing-Chih Chang, Piano Doctoral Recital, Beall Hall. SUNDAY A.M. Local religious centers have services. Noon - Dusk First Annual Music Festival, 18th and Agate St. Soccer Field. 4 p.m. Saxophone Recital, Beall Hall. 8 p.m. “Rites (Rights) of Spring,’’ humorous musical sketches by UO graduate students, Beall Hall.
