Five months after the Staff Union at the University staged a protest voicing their objections to hospital job realignment -- and the lack of an active dialogue between the University and themselves -- they are again vying for the administration's attention.
The union was formed last February with only eight members and since has grown to a membership of 150.
Despite several attempts to attract University attention, including a protest on the Corner last June, the University administration has yet to recognize or meet with the union.
Union President Jan Cornell said her organization is planning a rally, set for noon on Friday, to voice their demands to the administration. The rally will take place in front of the University Hospital Primary Care Center.
The union is demanding official recognition as an employee organization, the arrangement to meet and discuss issues with University officials and pay raises for classified staff employees.
Cornell said a similar group at the College of William & Mary recently received recognition as an employee organization, giving the union a stronger case for their demands.
Anna Martin, vice president of administration at William & Mary, explained that the union was not recognized sooner because state law forbids state employees from participating in collective bargaining.
"We were waiting for approval from the state attorney general, who then said we could recognize the union as an employee association, but not a union," Martin said.
As an employee organization, the group now can meet on campus and have access to e-mail and other privileges.
But Martin said William & Mary is not obligated to hear their arguments.
"The administration does not have to meet with employee associations and they cannot by law bargain with them," she said.
Cornell said that although state law prohibits state employees from participating in collective bargaining, that is not the union's intention.
"To simply meet with us and discuss issues is not collective bargaining," Cornell added.
Other employee groups, such as the Medical Center Employee Council, already are recognized by the University and allow employees to address concerns and grievances.
Adrienne Garo-White, vice chair of the Medical Center Employee Council, said the council provides an open forum for employees to bring forth concerns.
"Given our economic times, I feel the administration is responsive to us even if we don't always like what they have to say," Garo-White said.
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