Staff might consider joining MNEA.

To the MU Community,

The University can be a marvelous place to work. We have benefits to rival
most corporations; a readily available teaching hospital with superb
resources in many areas of medicine, and some departments allow flexibility
in work schedules. There are upward mobility opportunities for those willing
to learn and work within the political structure.

Notwithstanding the above positive elements, there are also many reasons to
join a union. The first is, of course, the solidarity it brings to the
workforce, and the strength in numbers mentality. Another reason is the
relative Œvoiceless¹ nature of staff in an academic environment. Although we
have the Staff Advisory Committee, with all due respect, they are powerless
against an administration that clearly define their goals with little
consideration for the staff in their decision-making processes. We have seen
medical insurance premiums and incidental expenses rise while staff continue
to be paid at increasingly sub-standard hourly salaries. Our already
monumental job descriptions increase with ³other duties as assigned² each
year. We are rarely given input to accepting, nor monetary reward for these
³other duties². As faculty increase in various departments, staff numbers
oftentimes remain the same, thus further increasing responsibilities and
workload.

Furthermore, although it is an anecdotal observation, it seems increasingly
more difficult for staff to be ³reclassified². I believe this a Human
Resource attempt to curtail ³administrative² titles. However, the staff of
the University are truly ³skilled, professional workers² and increasingly do
not fit into the ³clerical² category. Please consider joining as well. We
would welcome your input, and applaud your courage in changing the climate
of MU to a more equitable and even better place to work.

Phebe Lauffer