This time each year, Campus HR provides guidelines for responding to union and pending union-related activities at MU, slated for the week of May 21, 2012. The information from HR covers topics including ‘Union Activity on University Property,’ ‘Posting Materials on University Property,’ and do’s and don’ts for interacting with a labor union. For more information, see below.
TO: Employee Relation Committee Members
FROM: Karen Touzeau, Associate Vice Chancellor Human Resource Services
DATE: May 3, 2012
SUBJECT: Union Activity on Campus
From May 21-25, 2012 the Laborers’ International Union #773 of North America intends to organize potential union employees on the University of Missouri-Columbia campus. We recognize our labor unions as representatives of their respective employee groups. The following document should provide your supervisors and managers with appropriate information to clarify activities for union organizers on University property.
In our regular Meet and Confer meetings, International Union 773 and Human Resource Services have discussed our service maintenance employees. However, it is important to note that this organizing campaign will also focus on organizing office technical employees, including any support staff on campus. The same activities and restrictions for union activity contained within this letter will apply to circumstances involving organizing of staff technicians and other support employees.
Section I – Labor Union Recognition
The Board of Curators has officially recognized the Laborers’ International Union 773 of North America as the exclusive bargaining agent representing University service/maintenance employees in discussions of general working conditions, employee benefits, services and grievances with University administration. Therefore, we are in a recognized professional relationship with our labor union.
Union Activity on University Property
The University of Missouri generally prohibits solicitation. Therefore, any union activity designed to solicit membership or dues must be held in an officially approved University public area (Missouri Unions, Alumni Center, etc.) or any other area approved by MU Business Services office. Unions are allowed to use University meeting space based on the conditions outlined in the Business Policy and Procedure Manual section 6:050 entitled “Use of Facilities.”
The University generally does not allow union activity if it occurs during an employee’s scheduled work time. We have had situations where the union stewards appeared at the work site wanting to take an employee away from their work to engage in conversation. Such practices are not allowed as part of our union Collection of Policies. However, it would not be inappropriate for an employee to agree to talk to that union steward in a non-work area on non-work time.
Posting Materials on University Property
Unions are allowed to post information on University property in accord with the Business Policy and Procedure Regulations section 1:070. Unions may post information, posters, signs or other materials on bulletin boards in designated areas under the following conditions:
- Outdoor bulletin boards are considered free bulletin boards for appropriate use. However, priority of space will be given to University sponsored activities.
- Interior bulletin boards are for appropriate materials as designated by department management and should be used only after the material has been reviewed by the department or building coordinator in charge of the bulletin board.
- Bulletin boards in residential halls are for posting official notices and announcements. Materials should be approved by residence halls coordinators. Typically union related materials would not be suitable for posting in residence halls.
- No posters, signs or other articles shall be pasted, nailed, taped, stapled or otherwise attached to any part of the interior or exterior (including windows and doors) of University buildings or light posts.
In general the provisions of this policy allow unions to use external and internal bulletin boards in accord with the above regulations. Most departments have places already designated as places to post union materials.
If you have questions regarding union postings, please bring these to the attention of your Human Resource Services representative. Please note however that if you allow posting of materials in places other than official bulletin boards (e.g. bathrooms, coffee and break areas) you erode your opportunity to restrict the posting of union material.
Union Buttons, Badges and Insignia
The University may not stop employees from carrying union cards, wearing or displaying union buttons or wearing clothing with union insignia if those actions do not interfere with the actual work activity or safety of the employee or the work performed.
Distribution of Literature
Unions may distribute non-university publications in limited areas outside of building. The distribution of union literature should be in a non-work area on non-work time. Typically this occurs in parking lots or lunch rooms (if you allow outsiders in your break room).
TIPS
Here are some general tips in terms of interacting with a labor union.
Do’s
- Speak to your employees if they ask you questions about unionization.
- Respond to inquiries from employees about wages, policies and other conditions of employment.
- Consistently enforce the no solicitation and no distribution rules as they apply to your department.
- Try to create a positive working relationship with our unions.
Don’ts
- Do not discriminate against employees who actively support the union.
- Do not poll employees regarding their feelings about the union.
- Do not get involved in disputes involving an employee and the union.
If you have any questions regarding Union activity in your department please contact me at touzeauk@missouri.edu or at 573-882-4256.