July 2006

 

PLRB Rules in Favor of TAUP

In "Resignation Letter" Unfair Labor Practice

TAUP received word during the last week of June that in the matter of the ULP we filed on October 31, 2005, the hearing examiner has ruled in our favor. This is the ULP that resulted from the "invitation to resign" letter and accompanying form that Temple sent to all dues-paying members last fall.

TAUP conducted a very successful membership drive last fall, signing up more than 90 new members, a record for so short a time. Just days before Temple sent its letter inviting members to resign, TAUP delivered to payroll the names of more than 50 new members.

TAUP maintained that Temple abused its management rights when it mailed the resignation form to a selected group of TAUP members.

The Labor Board hearing examiner agreed, ruling that "such an attempt to influence the union's ability to raise funds" violates Section 1201a (1) and (2) of the Pennsylvania Public Employee Relations Act. To see the full-text of the examiner's ruling, go to:

http://www.dli.state.pa.us/landi/lib/landi/plrb/2006_orders/other/june/pera-c-05-506-e.pdf

The university has chosen to file exceptions to the examiner's ruling. The full, three-member Labor Board will ultimately rule on the case.

TAUP never withholds information regarding rights or any other part of the contract from its bargaining unit members. The union promptly processes the resignation of any member who wishes to do so, although TAUP staff will try to determine why a member wants to resign.