Montana Kaimin, 1898-Present (ASUM)

University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Associated Students of the University of Montana Montana Kaimin, 1898-present (ASUM) 4-23-1991 Montana Kaimin, April 23, 1991 Associated Students of the University of Montana Let us know how access to this document benefits ouy . Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/studentnewspaper Recommended Citation Associated Students of the University of Montana, "Montana Kaimin, April 23, 1991" (1991). Montana Kaimin, 1898-present. 8354. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/studentnewspaper/8354 This Newspaper is brought to you for free and open access by the Associated Students of the University of Montana (ASUM) at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Montana Kaimin, 1898-present by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Montana Kaimin University of Montana Tuesday, April 23,1991 Vol. 93, Issue 85 Stephens revises pay plan, union says it’s not enough By Dave Zelio Kaimin Reporter Negotiations between Gov. Stan Stephens Regent’s and state labor unions on a state pay plan have gone nowhere, a member of the nego won’t act tiating team said Monday. “I think there is some appreciation for our proposal, but there is certainly no agree on short ment,” Steve Johnson said. Johnson, who represents Stephens, is chief negotiator of term strike the Labor Relations and Employee Benefits By Kathy McLaughlin Bureau for the Montana Department of Kaimin Reporter Administration. The two sides began “informal talks” this The Board of Regents has not de weekend to try and come to an agreement cided whether to ask for an injunction over a pay plan that currently stands at a 60- against a possible strike by state em cents-per-hour raise for all state workers. ployees, the board’s legal representa The raise, included in Anaconda Democrat tive said Monday. William “Red” Menahan’s House Bill 514, Leroy Schramm said the regents is awaiting a decision from Stephens. The would not take legal action against governor issued an amendatory veto last workers if there were only a short-term week, substituting the 60-cent flat raise with walkout Schramm said in an earlier a “market-based” plan that provides an aver interview that the university system age 4.5 percent increase. But the Legislature would consider any strike illegal before voted to override that proposal and now the staff contract expires June 30, be Stephens has until Wednesday to issue an cause the agreement contains a “no outright veto or sign the bill, or it will auto strike” clause. matically become law. Montana Public Employees Asso As a result of the negotiations, Stephens ciation official Jim Adams said Mon is offering lower-grade workers “enhance day that only a court of law, not the ments” not included in the governor’s origi commissioner’s office, has the power nal proposal, press secretary Victor Bjomberg to decide if the strike is legal. Adams said. Bjomberg did not elaborate. maintained that the regents do not ne “We’re real firm on a market-based plan gotiate directly with staff workers, and and HB 514 doesn’t have that,” Bjomberg therefore have no right to question the said. legality of a strike. But Anne Gehr, acting president of the “I’ve been doing this contract since Montana Public Employees Association’s 1976, and there’s never been a cent UM local, said Stephens is still not offering negotiated with the Board of Regents," state workers anything substantial. MPEA Adams said. He said the university Dcidre Eilel/Kaimin has not bargained with the Department of system has bargained with the union ASIAN RELIGION and philosophy professor Alan Spoonberg practices a Administration over a pay plan since De over non-economic issues, but the form of Buddhist meditation. As part of Monday’s Earth Day celebration cember. Department of Administration handles Spoonberg showed others how to use meditation to promote positive See "Strike," page 8 all staff salary negotiations. feelings toward one’s self, others and the environment. Judge blocks walkout until Thursday HELENA (AP)—A threatened union president, said all members Honzel’s decision will not affect “I understand the strike notice as “to force him (the governor) into walkout by state employees over working for the state — not just MPEA’s ability to strike. a way of forcing the other side’s making a decision today” on legis their pay was blocked Monday by those at the institutions — would “In no way does this hamper our hand,” the judge said. “The gover lation giving state workers a 60- state District Judge Thomas C. abide by the order. ability to walkout,” said Anne Gehr, nor should be given the amount of cent-per-hour pay raise. Honzel. The judge’s order is effective acting president of the MPEA UM time authorized by law.” They also said a strike would Honzel issued a temporary re until noon Thursday. Honzel also local, which represents about 580 Meanwhile, Gov. Stan Stephens jeopardize the lives of inmates and straining order against the Mon scheduled a Thursday morning UM staff. said he decided to offer unions more patients in state care at various in tana Federation of State Employ hearing on the state’s request for a The employee unions said they money than in his administration’s stitutions, because state nurses have ees and seven of its local affiliates. temporary injunction against a state wanted S1 per hour and would strike original proposal, but he would not pledged to honor picket lines. The order prohibited a threat strike. to back up their demands. be specific. He said his new offer “The contract allows the union ened Monday strike at the Montana An official of the Montana Pub But Honzel was told by Wein- can be paid for without raising taxes. to go out on strike,” union lawyer State Prison, the Montana Devel lic Employees Association, the larg gartner that if the bill now before Lawyers for the governor asked J.C. Weingartner argued. “We’re opmental Center and the Montana est state worker union representing the governor is signed there will be for the court order, arguing the strike just adhering to the collective bar State Hospital. Jim McGarvey, about 4,000 employees, said no strike. ultimatum was an obvious attempt gaining contract.” Students to rally in Helena for more funding By Kathy McLaughlin the gallery while the legislators vote on the Kaimin Reporter The surcharge would raise an estimated rented six buses for people interested in measure. If the Legislature fails to override $14.5 million for the state university system going to Helena, Eastern Montana College UM will send two bus loads of students to the veto in the morning, he said, the group over the next two years. Last year the tax has a fax line to the legislature, and Montana the Capitol in Helena Wednesday to pres will “go in and beat on the legislators’ doors,” collected an estimated $35 million for all Tech will also send representatives to He sure the Legislature into overriding Gov. and try to convince them to vote for it. factions of the state educational system, lena. Stan Stephens’ veto of a bill that would The bill, originally introduced by Rep. according to figures from Kadas’ office. ASUM senators plan to call as many provide additional funding for state educa Mike Kadas, D.- Whitefish, would give post Hollenbaugh said those who oppose the students as possible to inform them of the tion, the ASUM president said Monday. secondary schools the revenue from a 2 per- bill right now are primarily Republicans trip and encourage them to go. The buses Galen Hollenbaugh said students through centsurcharge on income tax. Alateramend- who side with Stephens on not creating any will leave from the UC at 8 a.m. Wednesday out the state organized bus trips to Helena ment also added a 3 percent tax for grades K- new taxes. and will return to Missoula later that eve after Stephens vetoed the bill that would 12. The total 5 percent surcharge is the same “We (students) vote, and we’re going to ning. have reinstated a 5 percent income tax sur amount as the surcharge on state income tax hold them responsible in the next election,” ASUM encourages all those unable to charge for education. last year. The Legislature passed the bill last Hollenbaugh said. take the trip to call their representatives Hollenbaugh said the students hope to fill week, but it was vetoed Friday by Stephens. He said Montana State University has Wednesday. Montana Kalmln Tuesday, April 23,1991 Communication needed to save Earth, speakers say By Kathy McLaughlin Visco, a junior in anthropology and Kaimin Reporter nursing. Freedom of speech is essential McCarthy Coyle, a Missoula to preserving the Earth, speakers at resident, said free speech is essen an Earth Day rally on the oval said tial in receiving timely information yesterday. that could help the Earth. The rally marked the twenty- Coyle said he is disappointed in first anniversary of Earth Day and the media coverage of environ is part of the Small World Festival. mental issues. Bob Rogers, a UM forestry stu Today*s workshops and lectures dent who read the Bill of Rights to will focus on recycling, eco-femi- a crowd of about 35, said people nism, the Milltown Superfund site who harm the environment infringe and organizing to win. on the rights of individuals to live Wednesday’s events feature a free lives. lecture “Do Trees have Buddha Rogers also said freedom of Nature?” by professor Alan Spond- speech is especially important be berg.

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