Unions, Community
Protest UVM-Sponsored
Unionbusting Seminar
BURLINGTON, Vt.
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| Local 267 Pres. Tom Stout
(above, left) waits to address the rally as union and community members
protest a unionbusting seminar sponsored by the University of Vermont. |
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Never mind that 42 million Americans dont have health
insurance, or that overworked hospital staff are concerned about protecting
quality health care. Instead, health executives would rather "diagnose
trends towards unionization."
Almost 100 union and community members rallied outside of the
Sheraton Hotel in Burlington, Vt. on Nov. 6 against a University of Vermont (UVM)
sponsored course in unionbusting. The two-day seminar, "Developing
Critical Strategies for Positive Labor Relations," was organized in
collaboration with the American Organization of Nurse Executives and featured
such topics as "detecting early warning signs of union activity" and
"dissecting the union agenda."
Tom Stout, president of UE Local 267, which represents the
service and maintenance employees at UVM, explained, "Not only are they
teaching healthcare managers how to bust the union in this seminar, but they
are attempting to divide their own employees at UVM. We will continue to fight
for fair treatment. Were sticking together and staying united."
Ed Flanagan, the State Auditor of Accounts also spoke at
the rally. "When I went to law school, they taught us how to follow the
law. It seems to me that the intent of this seminar is to teach managers how
to break the law." Sponsored by the UE, the AFL-CIO, the Workers
Rights Center and the Progressive Party of Vermont, the rally included
speakers, chants ("Union-busting is Disgusting") and labor songs.
UE News - 11/99
