AAUP pickets candidate forum

Unionized faculty covered the steps of the Dimond Library yesterday in what was called an "informative picket" to attract the attention of university presidential candidate, Dr. John Cavanaugh. The issue at hand was the ongoing negotiation impasse that union leaders and UNH administration have run into regarding faculty pay and benefits.

"We want to make sure the presidential candidates are aware of this problem because the president is considered the most important person on campus," commented Chris Balling, physics professor and chairman of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) here at UNH. "We disagree with the pay we are receiving and how it has been cut from last year."

Close to 40 professors picketed, a number that Balling considers to be significant because of how busy the over 400 members of the UNH AAUP are teaching classes.

Picketers proudly held their blue and white signs as Cavanaugh entered the building for an open forum on his views as the possible future president of UNH. Dale Barkey, president of the UNH chapter of the AAUP, greeted Cavanaugh in person.

The picketing did not obstruct entrance to the library, and wasn't hostile in nature. According to UNH English professor and AAUP member, Sean Moore, an "informative picket" was created simply to inform and present the problem and its importance.

"It is important to impress this upon a candidate earlier rather than later so that they can take action when they get into office," commented Moore.

After Cavanaugh entered the library, the crowd put away their signs and got out of the cold. Plans are set to picket again during presidential candidate Jack Burns' upcoming visit next Monday, Dec. 11.

"This issue cannot be forgotten," said animal and nutritional science professor and AAUP union member, Tom Foxall. "We want a fair contract and if it doesn't happen before a new president comes, then the candidates should know about this situation."

The AAUP faculty union and the administration have been at an impasse for negotiation of contracts since Oct. 2. Negotiations began last spring, and while the faculty's old contracts did expire June 30, they will hold true until a new contract is created and agreed upon. An impasse means that the two parties have stopped all negotiations, and a third party mediator must then intervene. They will enter back into mediation today.

According to Balling, the odds are "looking low" to achieve a solid agreement during today's meeting.

This is the first time that the UNH chapter of AAUP has picketed for this cause. As another form of protest, they declared a work to rule status. This means that union faculty will not participate in any voluntary administrative work but will still teach, research, and maintain their professional status to contract.

Cavanaugh spoke of his experience with faculty negotiations during his open forum. In Delaware, where he held an administrative position, he served with the AAUP. Also, during his time as the fourth president of the University of West Florida, where he currently resides, he has gone through two sets of faculty negotiations.

Student Senate President Sean Kelly is part of the search committee for UNH's new president and was at Cavanaugh's open forum. "It's unfortunate that picketing has to be happening," he commented. "But I'm glad that it was done how it was. There was no obstruction to the building and it was done in a solely informative manner."