Saturday, July 31, 2004
OBERLIN, Ohio (AP) -- About 70 members of an office workers union at Oberlin College protested during contract negotiations, demanding a better health care plan.
Members of the Oberlin College Office and Professional Employees union are prepared to strike if an agreement is not reached by Tuesday, said Julie Weir, international vice president of the union's parent organization.
Protesters picketed Thursday outside the Oberlin Inn, while union leaders and college officials negotiated inside.
Weir said the union has offered $300,000 in health care cost concessions, but the university is requesting more. She said the college is treating office workers unfairly while being generous to higher-paid administrators, such as President Nancy Dye, who recently received a $1 million bonus.
Oberlin spokesman Al Moran said he does not expect a strike, but the college would operate normally if one did occur.
Moran said bonuses like Dye's are "standard practice" and Dye was offered the money to ensure she would stay with the college for the next decade.