NEARI has circulated a letter regarding RWU’s planned furloughs, arguing that the administration has taken an action prohibited by federal labor law. Stating that the university has an undeniable “obligation to bargain with the Union(s) before implementation” of the furlough. Furthermore, the letter states that each unit will be filing a grievance report due to the furlough being in violation to the collective bargaining agreement. They’ve advised members to not agree to any furlough dates at this time. President Miaouli’s seventy percent increase in salary is also spotlighted, and that the “bargaining units will not be his lottery ticket to close the fiscal mess he and his staff have created,” seemingly in response to the lottery winnings the President received in the past.
The University has responded, attributed to Jill Pais, stating that the plan is “intended to preserve jobs and address” the “budget shortfall.” They also fight back against the claim that the furlough was announced without prior notice stating that it was in direct communication with NEARI before the furloughs were announced.
