Representatives from the Department of Public Safety will begin negotiations with the university on May 5 about forming a new labor union.

DPS officer Jonathan LeBaron, president of the union, said the date had been set but that there were no other updates to report.

A team from DPS will be involved in the negotiations, said Drew Buske, deputy director and deputy chief of DPS. He would not reveal the makeup of the team. There have been no problems setting up talks with the university as far as he knows, he said.

It was first reported that plans to schedule negotiations were in the works in February. Kevin Quinn, senior vice president for public affairs at the university, said in an email the university looks forward to productive negotiations. Beyond the negotiation process, the union will be independent from the university.

The Buffalo chapter of the National Labor Relations Board certified the union Jan. 16, but the university and DPS must finalize the agreement. No complaints have been filed against the union.

DPS was part of a national organization, Security, Police and Fire Professionals of America, for about four years, but found the organization to be lacking in some services, such as providing representation should an officer need it.

For the new union, DPS will have to talk to Syracuse University about matters concerning terms and services of employment, such as wages, benefits and work hours. Officers said they also hope to see a pay increase and a better retirement plan.

dkmcbrid@syr.edu

Published on April 18, 2011 at 12:00 pm

Contact Dara: dkmcbrid@syr.edu | @daramcbride