Newly elected team ready to bargain

But state unprepared to discuss money

Updated 11:00 a.m., July 18
The Administrators of Information, Financial and Public Resources (Unit 1) bargaining team more than doubled in size with the addition of Classification Bargaining Unit Representatives (CBURs) yet they were fully prepared to bargain with the state. However, the state did nothing in preparation as both sides returned to the table yesterday.

After intense training for the newly elected CBURs, the Unit 1 team went to the table ready to do business.  “We were ready to go,” said Marie Harder, Unit 1 CBUR for Information Technology. “But it was disheartening that the state seemed only intent on checking for properly placed commas in order to delay the discussion of money.”

The state flat out refused to deal with any proposals dealing with economics but exchanged a proposal that would modify language on how union information can be distributed at worksites. They claimed the process now in place interrupts work productivity but they had no specific examples to give the team. The proposal would allow individual departments to determine what, where, how and if information could be distributed.

“It’s disturbing that they won’t discuss any money with us but instead they present proposals trying to take away our communication – it’s the very thing that makes us stronger together,” Harder said.

Both sides will be back at the table on July 21.