News Briefs

NLRB approves carpenter’s eligiblity

The National Labor Relations Board in Albany has ruled that Stephen Parrella, one of seven carpenters who are currently unrepresented by labor unions, is eligible to vote in the upcoming election. In this election, they would decide whether to join the second-largest union on campus, the Communications Workers of America, according to Director of Human Resources Sarah Hoger and CWA Business Agent Carl Bertsche.

To join CWA, the carpenters vote in a closed-vote election under the direction of the National Labor Relations Board; a simple majority is required.

As many as 50 CWA union employees picketed at Main Gate during the first week of school. The dispute over Parrella’s eligibility to join CWA stemmed from his position as a “working foreman.” There is no precedent for a person with managerial powers to join CWA, and the ruling allows Parrella to be in the “bargaining unit” of the carpenters.

After leaving their former union in May, the carpenters have been unrepresented, but have received health care benefits. Approximately 230 Vassar employees are members of CWA, and CWA’s membership totals 700,000 around the country.

—John Palmer, Senior Editor

Student smoking cigarette in Mug

A security officer in the Mug at 2:45 a.m. on Sept. 18 discovered a student smoking a cigarette on the dance floor. The student was asked to stop, but she was uncooperative. Then, she was asked to leave the Mug. Students are reminded that smoking is not allowed in the Mug.

—Ariel Schwartz, Assistant News Editor

$500 of damage from urn falling

Security received a report on Sept. 19 at 8:39 a.m. that someone had tipped over a large urn on top of the New England building steps that weighed an excess of 200 pounds. The urn was part of a pair, and contained a large Chinese fan palm. As the urn fell, damage was done to the pot, palm, and plants under the ground. The estimated cost of damage is $500.

—A.S.