BGSU faculty file unfair labor charge

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File photo. BGSU faculty
members make their feelings known over their lack of a contract during a BGSU board of trustees meeting
on September 28th, 2012. (Photo: J.D. Pooley/Sentinel-Tribune)

The Bowling Green State University Faculty Association Monday filed an unfair labor practice charge
against the BGSU Board of Trustees and the university administration.
“The reason for this filing is straightforward: the administration has violated state law by unreasonably
delaying and refusing to give the Faculty Association basic information, including information about
benefit plans,” Chief Negotiator Candace Archer wrote in an email sent to members late Monday afternoon.

Archer said law requires this information be provided so that the union can make proposals on benefits.

“Finalizing a mutually beneficial contract with the BGSU-FA is a top priority for Bowling Green State
University, BGSU spokesperson David Kielmeyer said this morning. “The university has been negotiating in
good faith and will continue to do so. In keeping with our agreement with the BGSU-FA to negotiate at
the bargaining table and not through the media, we cannot comment further on the negotiations,” he said.

Archer said “We would prefer to settle this issue without resorting to a ULP charge because these
hearings can be lengthy and divert our attention away from finishing this contract, but the information
is required to make accurate proposals and write fact-finding briefs. We have received assurances for
months that the information is ‘in process’ or ‘we’ll have it next week’ and we have waited patiently.”

Archer also informed membership that the BGSU-FA will make the administration’s proposals available to
members. Until now the union had agreed to keep the proposals private. For legal reasons only members
can receive the proposals.
“I have been receiving messages from faculty who have been told by administrators that the FA’s
communications are lies, and that we are misrepresenting the Mazey Administration’s proposals on
post-tenure review, promotion, tenure and reappointment, salary and benefits, and many other issues. To
put to rest these accusations, I have consulted with our attorney on the issue of releasing the
administration’s proposals to our members,” Archer wrote.
Archer also said BGSU-FA has openly shared its proposals, which are available at
http://bgsu-fa.org/wp/bargaining/.

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