Fifty University of Virginia employees have formed a union. The newly-formed Staff Union at the University of Virginia has allied itself with the Communications Workers of America. The SUUVa was created mostly by Labor Action Group members that wanted to pursue issues that pertained only to UVa staff. Eric Swensen has the story in today’s Progress.
News and meta-news about Charlottesville, VA, since 2001.
Sideblog
Police announced this afternoon that their investigation into what was initially believed to be a fatal fire on Rugby Avenue is now a homicide investigation. #
The Virginia Supreme Court has denied George Huguely’s appeal. His second-degree murder conviction will stand, WRIC reports. #
In a carefully worded story, and not citing specific sources, WTVR reports that forensic evidence belonging to Jesse Matthew Jr., the main suspect in the disappearance of Hannah Graham, matches forensic evidence collected during the investigation of Morgan Harrington’s 2009 murder. #
In the wake of Hannah Graham’s disappearance, and the evidence that came from private security footage, city officials are revisiting the question of installing security cameras on the downtown mall. #
Both Charlottesville Registrar Sheri Iachetta and former Electoral Board member Stephanie Commander have turned themselves in to the police on
foursix and four felony counts of embezzlement, respectively. #Ten years ago, the National Institutes of Health budget doubled and schools like the University of Virginia built massive new research facilities. A decade later, those buildings remain largely underutilized. NPR visits UVA in this story on the effect of federal binge and spurge spending in the sciences. #
In 2012, Council approved a new student housing complex on West Main—now some council members are questioning whether what they were shown matches what was built. #
The Architectural Review Board has approved a bike-themed mural on West Market, below the McGuffey Art Center, although at least one member expressed concerns that it might look like the bicyclists were riding away from Charlottesville’s downtown. #
City Police Chief Tim Longo is meeting with city leaders to work on protocols regarding the use of military surplus police weapons in Charlottesville. #
A 100-year-old Colonnades resident received military honors for her service in the WWII Women’s Army Corps #
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I have to say that I was surprised that they got 50 people there. I had told a friend of mine that they could probably hold that meeting in a phone booth. (Given Virginia’s hostility to unions in general and that the rules against state employees unions) So it was a happy surprise.
The question is, “Will a union be able to address the UVA issues?” Who knows? It might be better than the Virginia Governmental Association. I’m a state employee who has worked in both the state capitol and other places and no one from the VGA has ever contacted me or distributed any kind of information about why I should join.
I thought they had lots of rights already, certainly more than in private industry. I can’t imagine how this union has a chance based on Va law.
My understanding is they can’t collectively bargain, nor can they strike. I also understand they can’t compel union membership as a condition of employment. If they strike, I believe, they can and damn well should be fired (remember PATCO?). They can, however, make noise, and the University doesn’t like noise.
But, yeah, I agree – University employees have better benefits than most private industry. Doesn’t mean they don’t have the right to ask for more, however.
I just realized many might not remember PATCO – the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization. They went on stirke, and Reagan fired them. A lot of people complained loudly that planes would start falling out of the sky because of it, but air traffic safety didn’t suffer, and as far as I know that was the last time a union representing Federal employees went on strike.