Excerpt from the Dayton Daily News
Wright State University president Cheryl Schrader does not think a faculty union strike is imminent, but in the week since a strike notice was filed with the state, little evidence has emerged to suggest one isn’t inevitable.
Students return to Wright State today for the start of spring semester as tensions surrounding the labor dispute have heated up in the last week or so. There has been little to no communication between the administration and union since the board of trustees voted to implement its last, best offer Jan. 4, both sides have said.
“There is every opportunity to have discussions but it’s my understanding that the union has not reached out to the chief negotiator for the university,” Schrader said.
The Wright State chapter of the American Association of University Professors filed a notice one week ago today with the State Employment Relations Board conveying plans to strike at 8 a.m., Jan. 22. AAUP-WSU president Martin Kich said the union will also file an unfair labor practice complaint with the state.
At this point, the decision as to whether or not the union and administration will reconvene negotiations is up to Schrader, said Noeleen McIlvenna, a WSU history professor and contract administration officer for the union. Union leaders were caught off-guard, McIlvenna said, when the board voted to implement its last, best offer 10 days ago.
“There is no dialogue but we have made it absolutely clear in every communication that we are ready to negotiate,” McIlvenna said.
