Information Update - December 19, 2005

The University of Minnesota and the University Education Association (UEA) were scheduled to meet on Friday, December 16th. As you are aware, a fierce winter storm swept into northern and central Minnesota on the 15th. The storm created hazardous driving conditions including icy roads and low visibility. Patti Dion, lead negotiator for the University, called on Thursday and indicated she was not able to leave Minneapolis due to dangerous road conditions. The morning weather report stated the storm had also created dangerous driving conditions on Highway #2 near Duluth. Due to the weather conditions, the meeting was postponed.

While it is important that all relevant parties be present at the negotiation sessions, the University did not want anyone to put his/her life at risk to attend the meeting. Patti Dion will contact Gary Westorff, lead negotiator for UEA to discuss a mutually agreeable time to reschedule the meeting. The University would very much like to continue bargaining with the UEA and reach agreement on a new contract for the Crookston faculty. We continue to believe that both parties have an obligation to negotiate in good faith as to the terms and conditions of employment of the Crookston faculty.

The University of Minnesota , Crookston (UMC) is one of four campuses in the University of Minnesota land grant system.  UMC is a coordinate campus that provides a unique approach through applied and polytechnic baccalaureate education, research, and service.

UMC is an equal opportunity educator and employer