SUUVA/CWA and GLU-CWA Update

SUUVA/CWA AMD GLU/CWA MEET WITH VIRGINIA GOVERNOR MARK WARNER

In March of 2003, the Staff Union at UVA (SUUVA), the Graduate Labor Union (GLU), and CWA officials met with Virginia governor Mark Warner.

The issue on the table with Governor Warner was how to persuade the administration at the University of Virginia to meet with both unions to discuss workplace issues of concern to staff and graduate students in this right-to-work-for-less state of Virginia.

The meeting was successful. The governor supported the union's position, however even with pressure from the Governor's office, UVA still refuses to meet, talk, e-mail, write or recognize officials from either union. At this point it was decided to take it to the legislative level; CWA attorneys prepared an "excutive order" which was delivered to Governor Warner for his signature. This is essentially a "meet and confer" order. the Executive Order is expected to be signed in early 2004 and will allow the organizing of public sector and higher education workers statewide in Virginia.