Union Meeting April 1st, 2007

In attendance: Lisa Horton, Keith Russo, Erdal Terkivatan, F. Michael Ciletti, Katie Brambrink, Elise Boneau, Dan Kueh, Marcie Noble, Meghan Cook, Brendan Weaver, Tim Duby, Julie Houck, Josh Muia, Amanda Bellino, David Hecker, Jason Trowbridge, Chris Pomeroy, and Jamie McCandless.

1. Minutes and Agenda: Approved.

2. Updates

a. Bargaining: Lisa Horton reported that the articles were in the hands of the administrations team. The Bargaining Team gave tentative agreements to five articles and we are confident of wrapping up the non economic articles soon. Jason Trowbridge raised the issue of the economic articles with the administration, and stressed again the need to finish in the next three weeks. Jason suggested that the Bargaining Team would also be requesting additional times within which to bargain, due to time restraints.

b. General Membership Meeting: Jason Trowbridge reported that around 70 people, no including stewards, attended the General Membership Meeting. They voted to endorse the tentative agreements to date, and voted for work actions to support bargaining. Lauds were expressed for the executive committee for its efforts, and to F. "Mike" Ciletti and Amanda Bellino for thier active roles.

3. Action

a. The Informational PIckett: Jason opened up the discussion about what the informational pciket should look like. Jason expressed his concern about turnout, which could be resolved by another phone banking session, to ensure that everyone who signed up for the work actions would be reminded. Thursday was chosen as the day, with Chris Pomeroy suggesting that stewards send him the names of those people who have comitted to the action. Jason said that the tone of the picket should be positive, highlighting the positive aspects of the union contract. Keith Russo asked whether the pickett should walk to the Bernhard Center during the lunch break, though Brendan Waever cautioned against anything that might look like a "march." Brendan further cautioned against actually going inside Siebert, because it was not a "free speach zone." There was much laughter over the idea that there were zones within which the U.S. Constitution was valid, and other zones where it was not. There was some discussion about where the picketers should begin, and there consensus on Katie Brambrink's idea that it should begin right where it was to be held, in front of Siebert.

It was agreed that the pickett would be held on Thursday , 11am-3pm, in front of Siebert. Sign making would be held on Wednesday, 12-4 in the union offices. Jamie McCandless was charged with contacting media and there was some disucssion from David Hecker about a media release, which Jamie agreed to write. Keith Russo, Marcie Noble, Amanda Bellino and F. "Mike" Ciletti agreed to be captains of the strike, and to serve as p.r. reps to any media that did arrive. There was some discussion about whethere we wanted flyers, and the union agreed that there should be. Jason noted that we should stress the agreementsmade so far, and as much as possible keep a positive note.

The union then spent some few minutes discussion possible placard statements.

Meeting was adjourned at 4:15pm.

The next union meeting will be Saturday, April 7th, 12:30pm.

Submitted by Jamie McCandless.