1. Where does the union issue stand now?
The union has filed three election petitions: one for some OS employees, one for some PAT employees and one for some OS and PAT employees who work in Health Services and the Counseling Center. The university has asked the NH Public Employee Labor Relations Board (PELRB) to replace the three petitions with two: one for nearly all OS employees and another for nearly all PAT employees.
2. Why did the university do this?
There are three reasons. First, the three proposed units could result in functional/operational areas where employees are very divided, some not in a union and others in one of three different unions. Second, expanding the bargaining units means more employees would have the opportunity to vote. Third, the union is committed to ongoing campaigning to expand the number of employees they represent and this will create a distraction from our academic mission and our work around student success.
3. How many OS and PAT employees are there at UNH?
There are approximately 2,000 OS and PAT employees. The union’s three petitions apply to only about 500 OS and PAT employees.
4. Does the university’s position include staff in Manchester and Concord? What about Cooperative Extension?
Yes, all OS and PAT employees on all three campuses, including OS and PAT Cooperative Extension employees, should have the opportunity to vote.
5. Are supervisors and managers affected?
Most managers and supervisors are excluded based on legal restrictions.
6. Who decides which employees are eligible to vote?
The NH PELRB will make that decision in the coming weeks after reviewing evidence from the university and the union.
7. When would an election be held?
There may be more than one election depending on the PELRB’s decision. Elections are scheduled by the PELRB and could be held in early spring, perhaps sooner.
8. If there is an election(s) how many votes does the union need to win?
The union needs a majority of the votes actually cast to win the election. For example, if 100 employees vote, the union needs 51 votes to win. It is important that every eligible employee vote: the more employees who vote, the greater the number of votes the union needs to win. Not voting is essentially a vote for the union.
9. If I am eligible to vote do I have to vote?
No. But if you do not vote you let others make a decision that will affect you. We think it is important all eligible employees cast a vote.
10. Why is the university forcing me to be part of the vote if my job title isn’t one of those identified by the union? Will I be forced to sign a card?
You will not be forced to sign a card. The union has filed three petitions that cover just 25 percent of employees. If there is going to be an election, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to vote. In addition, the NEA has said that it will continue its campaign to organize more UNH employees and we believe this ongoing distraction will prevent us from our primary focus: our students and academic mission.
11. What if I don’t want a union?
If you do not want a union, share your views with your colleagues and if you are eligible to vote, make sure that you do and that you encourage your colleagues to as well.
Read more in Your Voice Matters, a series of communications from university leadership to provide clarity about efforts to unionize UNH staff, where you can also submit questions and feedback.
