Sweet backs most recommendations

Disagreement with two major recommendations has drawn criticism.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Despite disagreements over two key issues, Youngstown State University President Dr. David C. Sweet has agreed to implement all or parts of 20 of the 24 recommendations to improve campus labor relations made by a Labor-Management Review Panel.
Sweet created the panel after August strikes by both the faculty and classified employee unions in an effort to find out how similar situations can be avoided in the future. The panel and both unions have called for implementation of the entire panel report.
Sweet has no control over two of the recommendations, which can be implemented only by YSU unions.
It's the final two that have drawn the most attention and criticism for his administration.
Firings advised
One suggested that the vice president for administration and finance and the executive director of human resources and labor relations both be fired for allowing labor relations to disintegrate. Sweet refused to fire either administrator, though one of them will be transferred to another position.
The final recommendation calls for the rehiring of Christine Domhoff, president of the 400-member classified employee union. Domhoff's position with YSU's Metro College was eliminated last year just before the start of contract negotiations, a move the union believed was an attempt at intimidation. Domhoff filed a grievance to get her job back, and the issue is now in arbitration.
Sweet said that process should be allowed to proceed.
The others
Here are the other 20 recommendations and how Sweet responded:
Change negotiating participants on all sides: Members of the administrative bargaining teams have resigned those positions.
Exclude lawyers from negotiating teams: There is a need for legal review of contract language and counsel during negotiations, but efforts will be made to use current or retired university employees on future teams.
Open economic circumstances to scrutiny before talks begin: YSU is an open-records institution and has always adhered to that principle, but it will redouble its efforts to provide information about budget and finances.
Negotiate health care issues as an item separate from the contract: Sweet said he welcomes the cooperation of campus unions to implement that idea.
Impose a news blackout in future negotiations: Sweet agrees with the concept but said it should be decided on a case-by-case basis.
Resolve work-related issues without resorting to the grievance procedure: The university has been committed to that practice and "Meet and Confer" language should be added to the classified employee contracts. Also, the losing side should pay all arbitration costs, a proposal campus unions have refused to accept.
A new director of faculty relations should be appointed and should report to the provost, not the president, and should no longer participate in negotiations: A new director will be appointed effective March 1 and will report to the provost but not be involved in negotiations.
Appoint a similar ombudsman for nonfaculty employees: People will be appointed to work with the other campus bargaining units and not be involved in negotiations.
Create a standing Labor-Management Council: Such a council will convene in March.
The Labor-Management Council should make regular reports to the Board of Trustees: The council will make quarterly reports to the Internal Affairs Committee and annual reports to the board.
The president should take the lead in re-establishing a relationship with the unions: Sweet said he accepts that responsibility.
Health, safety and environmental concerns should get greater priority: The university strives to maintain the highest level of responsibility toward that purpose. The topic will be taken up by the Labor-Management Council.
The provost should be involved in faculty negotiations on noneconomic issues: The provost will be asked to participate in noneconomic item talks.
All parties should agree on a mechanism for rumor control: Sweet said he welcomes suggestions toward that end.
The president and union representatives should have regular contact: The Labor-Management Council, which will include union presidents, can address that issue.
Negotiations should be limited to a handful of key issues: The administration has consistently adhered to that principle.
Parties should negotiate fully at the table: Sweet agrees.
The job of vice president for administration should be divided and separate executive directors for university services and human resources should be appointed: The executive director of human resources will be reassigned and the office of human resources will now report to the president. An interim executive director of that office will be appointed effective March 1.
Good minutes should be kept of every negotiating session and provided to all parties: Sweet agrees.
Trustees should make improvement of labor relations a long-term goal: Sweet agrees.
gwin@vindy.com