Union Organizing Efforts at Tufts

April 8, 2009

Dear Colleagues:

In recent weeks, individuals identifying themselves as members of the Tufts Employee Association have been discussing unionization of staff positions with staff and faculty at Tufts.  I am writing because many of you have expressed concern about this group's activities, and because others have raised important questions about the organization's role at Tufts.

The "Tufts Employee Association" is not a university-sanctioned organization and has no affiliation with Tufts University.  Its website identifies it as an "employee association…organizing around the model of the Harvard Union of Clerical and Technical Workers." This union, also known as the HUCTW, organized employees at Harvard University some 20 years ago.  As we all know, Harvard is a very different institution from Tufts.  I cannot say whether electing the HUCTW was in the best interests of Harvard's clerical and technical workers at that time, but I don't think one should necessarily conclude that it is in the best interest of our community today.

My position does not reflect a personal bias against unions.  My doctoral research and first book focused on collective bargaining over health and safety issues.  During my research, I worked quite closely with the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters, the United Auto Workers, and the United Steelworkers.  I concluded then, and still believe, that in those industries where sharp distinctions are drawn between management and labor, unions can and do play a very helpful role in advancing the interests of workers.

At Tufts, two groups of employees are currently unionized – our police and our facilities staff – and we enjoy excellent relationships with both unions.  I have great personal respect for Kris Rondeau, the head of the HUCTW, and if the union succeeds in its organizing efforts, Tufts will do its part to foster a good working relationship with this union as well.  But to say that we could work with the union should not imply that I think unionization by the HUCTW is a good idea.  Far from it.  I believe that we are a stronger, more effective community when we all work together collaboratively and directly to address concerns in a cooperative manner.  I don't believe the formal process mandated by collective bargaining would help us address together the very real challenges Tufts faces in this economy.

We have long placed a high priority on the well being of all of our employees.  We offer competitive salaries and excellent benefits.  Last year, we instituted the Tufts Distinction Awards to recognize the wonderful contributions that members of our community make every single day.  This year, we are taking steps to preserve jobs in this very difficult economy.  For example, we have tried to minimize layoffs by freezing salaries for faculty and staff earning more than $50,000, while also providing increases for lower-paid employees.  We have consistently worked to respond openly and transparently to important issues affecting our community.  When mistakes have been made, we have acknowledged them and tried to remedy them.  I have pledged to you that we will communicate openly and transparently about our financial situation, and I have tried to live up to this pledge in my messages to the community and in the town meetings I have held on all three of our campuses.  Many of you have gone out of your way to tell me that Tufts is a great place to work, a sentiment that I share.

Understanding that you may have more detailed questions, I have asked Human Resources to prepare answers to frequently asked questions about union organizing in the university environment.  That FAQ can be found online at:  http://www.tufts.edu/hr/webcm/docs/QA_Union_Organizing_Tufts.pdf.  I have asked Patricia Campbell, our Executive Vice President, to speak for the university in communications about this issue going forward.

During these challenging times, it is essential that we all work together to preserve all that is special about Tufts.  I honestly believe we can best do so without the presence of an organization created to address different problems at a different time at a very different institution.  Thank you for reading this message, and for approaching this important issue in a thoughtful and informed way.

Sincerely,
Larry

---

Lawrence S. Bacow
President
Tufts University
Ballou Hall
Medford, MA 02155
617-627-3300