The NEA recently sent a communication to staff urging Associate Vice President David May and the university to participate in an open forum with the NEA. May's personal response are included below.
Dear Mr. Sherwood,
I reviewed your letter to me and the campus. I was disappointed that you so openly misled our employees. You wrote that you would like a “free and fair exchange,” but as you are aware, under the law a “free and fair exchange” is not possible. We both know that the law permits a union to make promises about the future because the union is powerless to make any of them come true. On the other hand, the law prohibits an employer such as UNH from making any promise because it has the power to implement it.
The university will continue to follow the law and encourage employees to decide for themselves about this important matter. We want staff to make the best decision for themselves and their families. We will not participate in a forum where the union can make promises the university cannot counter due to the law. We respect our employees too much to agree to participate in a forum that won’t provide them with the facts and information they are seeking.
Sincerely,
David J. May
Associate Vice President, Office of Business Affairs
It is important you know that the union and an employer are held to different standards under the law that prohibit a “free and fair exchange.” UNH will continue to provide you with facts and information to help you make the best decision for you.
