Session 28: The College cancels bargaining

Dear WOAW Members and Supporters,

As the Wellesley Organized Academic Workers-UAW Bargaining Committee (WOAW), we are compelled to respond to Provost’s Coile’s April 9 communication, which alleged that our union “has refused to make significant moves or even consider new proposals” and declared “deadlock on major issues.” On the heels of this public announcement, the College cancelled our only remaining bargaining session on April 10th. We are disappointed that the College has refused to bargain, and instead is choosing to prolong the strike five days before our first paycheck will be withheld. Refusing to bargain will not end the strike; the only thing that will end the strike is good faith negotiations.

We are not deadlocked in negotiations. The bargaining record makes clear that at every session, we have moved towards the College, including decreasing the overall cost of our economic articles with every counter. Since the strike began, both Parties have tentatively agreed to four more articles, including reaching an agreement on Prohibition Against Discrimination and Harassment on Monday evening, and essentially agreed on seven other articles, including Titles, Dependent Care, Retirement, Promotions and Union Security. We are in no way “deadlocked.”

We were prepared for a productive session on Thursday, ready to ask the College questions to better understand their positions and to clarify ours. In fact, we had requested information from the College about how they were costing their proposals, and we had prepared to share our costing information with them, aiming to better understand the discrepancies. At our last bargaining session on Monday, we asked the College why it was necessary to change our course load within the context of Wellesley, since their arguments thus far relied on market comparisons. Members have requested an explanation for the College’s proposed change to a course load which has been the standard at Wellesley for decades. The College failed to engage and answer these questions and concerns and instead said they would get back to us on Thursday. We were looking forward to their answer. Unfortunately, rather than explain their rationale for one of our most significant disagreements, the College cancelled bargaining. 

Our members do not have confidence that mediation will prove productive considering the College’s bargaining history. Mediators do not settle disputes; both sides need to explain their positions and be open to compromise. We have demonstrated our commitment to reaching an agreement through communicating our positions clearly, asking thoughtful questions, preparing data-based responses, making movement on proposals, and doing the hard work of negotiation.  Yesterday, we again communicated to the College that we remain ready and willing to negotiate, and we proposed meeting between 9am and 5pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and/or Friday of next week (April 14, 15, 16, 18). 

We are your teachers, your mentors, your colleagues, your neighbors, and your friends. When the College is ready, we remain available to negotiate a fair contract and get back into the classroom. 

Sincerely,
Erin Battat
Deb Bauer (‘03)
Katie Hall (‘84)
Mike Mavros
Christa Skow