Following is the text of SIU Professional Staff Association Chair Judi Rossiter's statement at a February 10 press conference at which the filing of the petition was announced.
"We are here to announce that today we have filed a petition with the Illinois Labor Relations Board to conduct an election to determine whether the Professional Staff Association (IEA/NEA) will be the exclusive representative for all nonadministrative, nonmanagerial professional staff at SIU-Carbondale.
"The professional staff at SIUC remain the largest unrepresented group of employees on campus. We began our organizing effort last year with a few individuals interested in learning more about forming an association for bargaining purposes. Since that time, we have successfully contacted virtually every administrative/professional staff employee on this campus who may be eligible to vote in such an election. As a result of this canvass, we have many active professional staff members-from across campus, in a wide variety of staff positions-agreeing with us that it's time for professional staff to have a place at the bargaining table. The issues in this campaign revolve around having "A Place at the Table" and are covered by three primary areas: professionalism, protection, and pay.
"As professionals, we perform a wide variety of functions that serve students and faculty at this university. The PSA will bring often-isolated professional staff into an effective network that will better fulfill the mission of the university. In addition, PSA recognizes the importance of recruiting and retaining quality professional staff. A place at the bargaining table determines the policies we are expected to work under and gives us a voice in all university policies we are duty-bound to implement.
"As at-will SIUC employees, our positions have no strong protection under the law. Our employment status is an area of concern to many of us. With a place at the table, we will have a role in determining our conditions of employment. With IEA/NEA as our affiliate, we will have resource people to whom we can turn to assist us with employment issues. With improved due process and a grievance procedure ending in binding arbitration, we can have confidence that mutually written policies shall fully serve employer and employee alike. "Salary inequities exist when you compare SIUC positions to similar ones performed at peer institutions, or even from unit to unit on the SIUC campus. It is difficult to hire and retain high quality, well educated professional staff members if salaries are not equitable internally and externally. With a place at the table, we will have a legally defined role in determining how salaries and salary increases are set.
"In conclusion, we are committed to Southern Illinois University and feel this is a wonderful place to work. And we are committed to make it better. Our students, our faculty, and the community deserve no less. We are excited about the opportunities for communication and dialogue that this election campaign can provide for the professional staff. After a majority vote on election day, our place at the table will be assured. With a place at the table, the Professional Staff Association (IEA/NEA) looks forward to enhancing the work climate for the professional staff at SIUC.
"We are here to stay."