Several employees have sought resignation from the Oberlin College Office and Professional Employees union as the College contract negotiations heat up. They have expressed frustration at the union leadership’s rejection of a contract that they feel is reasonable.

“I don’t think they’re using good negotiation skills,” said one union employee.

She also felt that all avenues of negotiation had not yet been exhausted.

“Sometimes I think they dig their heels in too deep and are not very creative,” she said. “There is a lot more room for negotiations in contract.”

According to the employee, at least five others had already sent in letters of resignation.

The union confirmed three requests for resignation.

The employee said she has not received a response to her letter.

She said lack of communication between the union leadership and members is her primary concern.

“There’s a problem getting information from the union to its members,” she said. “Sometimes we hear things from the administration that we should have heard from OCOPE. I think they might pick and choose what info they want to give to us.”

Another employee disputed this assessment, saying that union members get at least one weekly e-mail and hold around two rallies a month.

“It’s been good,” she said. “ It’s a tricky, sticky situation. They’re negotiating,”

She said that she was highly satisfied with the performance of the OCOPE leadership.

“I’ve been really impressed and proud of the job they’re doing,” she said. “They’re holding their ground well. They’ve shown a lot of strength”

She also felt that the College “underestimated OCOPE negotiators.”

Another employee estimated that as many as 30 to 40 percent of OCOPE members were dissatisfied with the way the negotiations are proceeding.

“While we’re holding out, waiting for the contract, we’ve given up the extra percent that was negotiated,” she said. “If we keep going with this we will have lost even more money.”

She believed that the College had been reasonable in its offers to the union.

“I think that in this economic climate the contract is fair,” she said.
“Everybody has to pay more for healthcare. Yes, it’s a hit but if people are dissatisfied they should ratify their contract, put their interview suit on and try to find another job.”

She felt that the antipathy, which was generated by this dispute would not soon fade.

“It hurts the institution,” the employee said. “It seems short sighted that my fellow OCOPE members would choose to hurt the College. Without the College they would not have jobs.”

She referred to the Memorandum of Understanding, Dignity and Respect, which was ratified by the union and College.

“We ask the College to treat us with respect, courtesy and fairness,” she said. “That should work both ways. It’s making people on campus less likely to trust one another. It’s breeding a lot of bad feelings.”

“Respect has never been something that the College was big on,” said an OCOPE supporter.

This employee said she felt that the union was “more unified than it has ever been before.”

In response to the estimates of 30 to 40 percent dissension she commented, “it’s really easy to make up numbers when you don’t have to prove them.”

She said that she was not satisfied with the College’s offer to the unions and felt that OCOPE was not being treated equally with other employees.

“I think it’s because this union is primarily female,” she said.

She went on to voice her displeasure at those who say that the union just needs to pay its fair share for healthcare and other benefits.

“ Does it seem reasonable that employees who make significantly less money should have to pay the same rate for health benefits?” she asked. “Does that seem reasonable?”