Dear UGSDW Leadership,
I write in response to your September 8, 2025 notice of dining grievance (the 鈥淕rievance鈥). In light of our discussion during the September 5 UMC meeting and the Grievance filed by the Union, the College understands the Union has taken the position that requiring student workers to use meal swipes while eating during assigned shifts violates Article 3, Section 10 of the contract. That section of the contract reads, in relevant part:
Subject to the limitations provided in this section, the College shall provide the Union with notice of at least twenty (20) days and an opportunity to bargain over the effects of the following changes: (1) changes to the Student Worker Handbook or Workplace Rules that materially alter the essential functions of any Student Worker position, (2) categorical elimination of a student worker position, and (3) reductions in force.
It is the College鈥檚 position that the College was not required to provide the Union with notice and an opportunity to bargain over the effects of the decision to require student workers to use meals swipes while eating during assigned shifts, as that decision does not 鈥渕aterially alter the essential functions鈥 of the affected student workers. Therefore, the College does not believe a contract violation has occurred. However, in an effort to resolve this matter efficiently, and as a gesture of good faith to the Union, the College is willing to meet with the Union to bargain over the effects of the decision. The College asks that the Union withdraw the Grievance prior to bargaining so that both parties may avoid duplicative parallel proceedings.
As a reminder, Article 3, Section 10 of the contract only contemplates providing the Union an opportunity to bargain over the 鈥渆ffects鈥 of the applicable workplace changes鈥攏ot the changes themselves. We draw your attention to this language so that both parties may have clear expectations regarding the subjects of bargaining prior to meeting.
Please provide several suggested dates and times during which UGSDW leadership is available to bargain so that the College may arrange for the parties to meet. We would suggest a format similar to the sessions held when the parties bargained for the 2024鈥2027 contract, which would include the bargaining session being recorded and livestreamed for transparency鈥檚 sake.
We look forward to bargaining with you.
Sincerely,
Jana Grimes
Vice President for Human Resources