The following response was shared with the SWC Bargaining Committee regarding posts falsely alleging the University canceled a bargaining session scheduled for October 6.
The University is surprised to hear of your assertion that it has canceled bargaining for tomorrow. That is not the case. The University has secured the only space that was available tomorrow at Interchurch, the agreed-upon neutral location, and it can be configured to accommodate more than the members of the parties’ bargaining teams. The University’s representatives plan to be there at 11 am and are prepared for bargaining and additional discussions concerning the logistics of bargaining. We hope to see you there.
As to your statements concerning the lawyers' discussions surrounding the resumption of bargaining, the University has consistently stated that a reasonable number of in-person observers would be allowed at bargaining. A reasonable number of bargaining observers is not unlimited, nor is it the large numbers you contend must be accommodated. As was seen at the first session, the attendance of hundreds of observers is not conducive to bargaining.
Regarding the location of future bargaining sessions, the University is open to considering larger spaces available at Interchurch as well as spaces at Studebaker and other campus locations, provided they are appropriate for contract discussions.
The University’s goal is to have a productive bargaining session. We believe we can do that at Interchurch tomorrow. We urge you to attend so we can get to work bargaining a contract that is fair for all parties.
