January 2003
Q & A #5
ERB's Election Process
and Timeline
On December 24, 2002, ERB made its rulings, finding of
fact, conclusions of law and order concerning those employees eligible
to vote in an election for or against the establishment of another Union
at EOU. ERB has ordered that an appropriate bargaining unit or employees
eligible to vote are:
"All regular full-time and part-time employees of
Eastern Oregon University working as librarians and teaching faculty holding
ranks including Professor, Associate Professor, Assistant Professor, and
Instructor, excluding those employees represented in another bargaining
unit, those who teach exclusively noncredit courses, those employed exclusively
by the Department of Distance Education or Summer Session and supervisors
as defined by the PECBA and casual employees."
ERB further has scheduled a secret mail ballot election
for eligible employees to express their desires for and against a Union.
Am I Eligible to Vote?
If you're defined in the order quoted above, you are eligible
to vote. There have been identified approximately 130 employees eligible.
If you have any question as to your eligibility, please contact Carol
Kroll at 541-962-3516.
Election Posting Process
There have been yellow ERB "Notice of Election"
notices in numerous buildings in which teaching of academic courses occur.
The notice includes a purpose of the election and procedures for voting
along with a sample ballot.
How and When Will I Receive a
Secret Ballot?
ERB will manage the election and will mail eligible voters
a ballot on January 27, 2003 to their home mailing address with instructions
to return the completed ballot to ERB offices by no later than 5:00 p.m.
on February 10, 2003.
Does It Matter If I Vote?
Yes, if you are eligible, it is very important that you
exercise this right and take advantage of the opportunity to determine
the outcome of the election. The choice made by the majority of valid
votes cast shall determine the winner.
In other words, the majority of those voting will determine
the results.
An example:
There are approximately 130 eligible voters, and if
only ninety (90) vote, with forty-six (46) voting for a Union, just
over one-third (1/3) would determine the outcome for all 130 eligible
voters.
When Will We Know the Outcome
of the Election?
On February 11, 2003 at 10:00 at ERB in Salem, ERB will
tally the votes. ERB will certify the results of the election within ten
days.
What Happens After the Election?
· If the majority of the eligible voters vote for
a Union, the Union can then demand to begin negotiations with the University.
· If the majority of the eligible voters vote against a Union,
the Union is barred from filing a new position for representation with
ERB and the University for one year.
What Are the Desires of the University
Leadership?
The University leadership believes and is strong committed
to the collegial work environment currently in place and as recently discussed
with the campus employees and believe the current collegial relationship
to be the most solid choice for the eligible voters. EOU has enjoyed a
long and successful collegial environment through many budget crises and
challenges like those facing the University today and believes and endorses
that collegial environment to pursue, shape, and improve the quality of
education for the students at EOU.
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