August 30, 2007

Dear President Bruininks:

We, the undersigned Chairs of Departments in CLA, write to urge you
to reach an agreement with the AFSCME clerical, technical and health
workers that reflects the high value of these workers to our
institution. This means taking seriously the needs and demands of our
employees.

Our Departments' clerical and technical workers not only "make
things go"; they actively contribute to the excellence of what we
offer. They are vital participants in the artistic and intellectual
life of our community, the first level of interface between students
and the institution, and integral to our planning and decision-making
processes. Many of us already feel that they are under-paid for the
level of expertise and experience they offer, and that they have
disproportionately borne the brunt of past austerity measures. If the
University cannot recruit and retain these valuable personnel with fair
compensation packages, it also risks compromising its strategic mission
to become a public research institution of the highest calibre and
reputation.

As faculty members and as department chairs, we strongly urge you to
consider an equitable solution to this impasse that demonstrates that
the University is prepared to recognize and compensate its clerical,
technical and health workers at a level commensurate with their
extraordinary and indispensable contribution to this great institution.

Very Sincerely,

Paula Rabinowitz, Professor and Chair of English and
Samuel Russell Chair in the Humanities

On behalf of the following co-signers:

Chris Uggen, Distinguished McKnight Professor and Chair, Department of Sociology
Steven F. Ostrow, Professor and Chair, Department of Art History
Ana Paula Ferreira, Professor and Chair, Department of Spanish and Portuguese
Edward Schiappa, Professor and Chair, Communications Studies and Paul W. Frenzel Chair of Liberal Arts
Riv-ellen Pressl Professor and Chair, American Studies and Fessler-Lampert Chair in Public Humanities
Michal Kobialka, Professor and Chair, Theatre Arts and Dance and Scholar of the College
Ray M. Wakefield, Professor and Interim Director, ILES
Geoffrey Hellman, Professor and Chair, Department of Philosophy
Walter R. Jacobs, Associate Professor and Chair, Department of African American and African Studies
William O. Beeman, Professor and Chair, Department of Anthropology
Eric D. Weitz, distinguished McKnight University Professor and Chair of
History and Arsham and Charlotte Ohanessian Chair in the College of
Liberal Arts
Jean Obrien, Associate Professor and Interim Chair, American Indian Studies
John Archer, Professor and Chair, Department of Cultural Studies and Comparative Literature and Scholar of the College
Albert R. Tims, Professor and Director, School of Journalism and Mass Communications
George A. Sheets, Professor and Chair, Department of Classics and Near Eastern Studies
Charlotte Melin, Associate Professor and Chair, Department of German, Scandinavian and Dutch
Edén E. Torres, Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Chicano Studies