Message Archive
August 11, 2009
Faculty Unionization
There have been recent communications sent to the faculty of
the School of Medicine and School of Dental Medicine that urge
you to consider unionization. As you know, this issue has come
up before, with elections occurring in 1999 and again in 2000.
On both occasions the faculty voted against unionization.
I hope you will take the time to be fully informed about the
significance of signing union authorization cards. The decision
whether or not to sign a union authorization card should not be
rushed. There is no deadline for you to sign and return cards
and I believe fact based decisions lead to better choices and
outcomes.
Like most academic medical centers, the UConn Health Center
is confronted with numerous challenges as we carry out our
unique mission of delivering outstanding patient care,
discovering new knowledge, and teaching the next generation of
physicians and dentists. Many of you have taken the time to
share with me your concerns. The Health Center’s financial
challenges, the state’s budget (or lack thereof), and the
proposed partnership with Hartford Healthcare all have a measure
of uncertainty attached to them. I fully acknowledge the
seriousness of the issues before us.
While the challenges are very real, let me be clear; as I see
it, faculty unionization is NOT a solution. To the contrary, in
my opinion it would compound the challenges we face and greatly
diminish the Health Center’s ability to succeed. In the
coming weeks the University will be providing you with more
information about unions and will articulate the reasons why we
do not believe unionization is the solution to the challenges
confronting the Health Center. I hope you will review this
information as you consider your decision as to whether not to
sign a union authorization card.
Let me be clear that:
1. Our challenges can be overcome.
For example The Dean’s Task force on the Clinical Practice led
by Dr. Lafreniere and Clinical Council faculty has already begun
work on reorganizing the practice plan. Our hospital financial
improvements have gone into effect and should be in full swing
this academic year. During our most recent site visit regarding
the hospital our progress in hospital quality was characterized
as a ‘palpable positive difference’ by the site review team.
2. Our vision can be achieved.
Our vision for the UConn Health Center is for overwhelming
success, for the Health Center to take its place as a top tier
leading center in the country. President Hogan and I believe
that the proposed partnership with Hartford Healthcare
represents an outstanding opportunity to advance us towards that
goal. Much more needs to be done and faculty continue to work in
providing input on the important agreements regarding the
Partnership. I (in many cases along with Dr. Hogan) will be
meeting with every school of medicine and school of dental
medicine department (in conjunction with Dean Monty MacNeil) in
the next few weeks to talk about the Partnership, to listen, to
hear your thoughts and ideas and answer questions.
Another pathway toward our vision is through philanthropy,
and with our new VP for Development at the UConn Health Center,
Ms. Dina Plapler, I believe we can do much to achieve our goals.
We are about to launch the University wide campaign “Our
University, Our Moment”, in many ways apropos for the Health
Center. I ask that all be involved.
3. We have the high ground.
We carry out noble work here, and no one does it better. While
we cannot discount the uncertainly, we must not fear the future.
We must embrace the greatness that is ‘us’. Together, we can
continue to work side-by-side in meeting the challenges for the
betterment of our students and patients.
Thanks and please continue to contact me through
email, and my
blog.
Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D.
Vice President for Health Affairs
Dean, School of Medicine |
