This is a joint statement from the former President of CNMEU, Mark Love-Williamson, and the current Interim President, Stephen J. Andrews, on the March 2024 election/appointments and current state of CNMEU. The General Membership meeting held in March 2024 included both the election of the CNMEU President and the CNMEU Vice President for Full-time Faculty as well as a series of appointments to vacant offices under CNMEU Constitution Article 6.5. As it turns out, both members elected to the aforementioned offices had not been dues-paying members of CNMEU for at least one year making their candidacies invalid under CNMEU Constitution Article 4.2. One of the members involved resigned, but the other has not. Litigation is ongoing to rectify that situation.
These circumstances have led to a period of uncertainty, instability, confusion, and even discord. However, on September 20, the CNMEU Executive Council undertook a series of actions and appointments that have begun the process of restoring stability to the Executive Council, and by extension, CNMEU. The Executive Council has activated the Election Committee to implement an improved process in accordance with the CNMEU Constitution for the next election to be held at the Spring, 2025 General Membership meeting. Some of the improvements will address voting by remote attendees in light of the post-pandemic prevalence of Zoom components to most meetings.
Despite this difficult situation that has dominated the work of the CNMEU Executive Council since March, the important work of the Union has continued. The wage re-opener bargaining sessions for both the FT CBA and ISU CBA have been completed. The Negotiations Committee will initiate the full contract negotiations for the PT CBA shortly. All members of the PT bargaining unit are encouraged to provide input to the Negotiations Committee through the CNMEU Secretary, B. Gail Joralemon, at cnmeusecretary@gmail.com. Upon completion of PT negotiations, the Fall General Membership meeting will be scheduled and will include a report on the activities of the CNMEU Executive Council under CNMEU Constitution Article 8.6.
CNMEU, under the leadership of the Executive Council, continues to represent members of each bargaining unit in grievances and disciplinary proceedings, evaluate the pros and cons of affiliation with national unions, organize and improve communications, construct communication and archival infrastructure, expand dues-paying membership, and build a collaborative relationship with management. The CNMEU Executive Council encourages members to provide service and input to any or all of these matters.
In Solidarity,
Mark Love-Williamson & Stephen J. Andrews