Statement to the Board
of Trustees
November 9, 2009
My name is Sandy Gabert and I am president of the OUPSA
MEA/NEA clerical technical support group on campus. We have just completed
a very long, difficult and contentious contract negotiation with the
university. The goal of my negotiating team was to bring back to our
members a fair and reasonable contract. We wish we could have been more
successful.
Our members have often been referred to as the first
face of Oakland University. As of June 30, 2009, our members employed at
the university represented a little over 3000 combined years of service at
the university and had an average of 12 years of seniority. We have been
continuously reminded how poor the economy is and how many applicants there
are for our posted positions. First, we get the economy. We live the
economy. The clerical/technical group is the lowest paid employee group on
campus. Many of my members used to have two income households and they are
now down to one. Many of us are helping to support our children and
grandchildren. So we get the economy. While there is not one person on
campus who cannot be replaced, there should be some value placed on
experience and loyalty. Many of my members started here when there were
higher paying jobs in the public sector, but we chose to work in academia.
We did not choose to work at Oakland because there were no other choices.
It is my hope and wish for Oakland University that the
attitude changes and that all employees, regardless of the hat they wear,
the position they hold or the daily tasks they perform, will be valued,
appreciated and respected for the role they play in the running and success
of the university. It takes all us to make this institution a success.
