During our last round of bargaining with MSU management, questions were raised by our team regarding promotional opportunities. Several meetings resulted from those discussions, leading to a series of articles in the CT News last year. Both Human Resources and the CTU have continued to monitor the situation.

On November 6 the CTU attended a meeting called by HR for further discussion. HR was represented by Assistant Director of Employee Relations Jim Nash, Director of Human Resource Services Kris Hynes, and Assistant Director of Employment Jan Underwood. The CTU brought President Barbara Reeves, Secretary Pat Talbot, Director Duferia White, UR Brenda Brown and several staff members.

Hynes reported on her office’s monitoring efforts for the period of June 2000 through July 2001.

During that time, 366 CT positions were filled. Of those, 155 were filled with CT applicants (about 42.3%). In 132 of the positions, no CT who met the minimum qualifications applied. In other words, about 78% of all vacant positions went to CTs when qualified CTs applied.

Hynes said that jobs offered to off-campus applicants were predominantly 5, 6 and 7 levels. Level 9’s, she said, usually went to current employees, except for some highly specialized and technical positions.

Underwood joined Hynes in explaining a practice that was implemented by HRS during this time to assist employees seeking promotion.

From June 2000 through July 2001, HRS identified 16 CTs who bid on two or more positions, met the minimum qualifications and were put on the interview list but who were not selected for a position. In each case, HRS contacted the employee and invited her or him to meet to discuss career goals and objectives, to review his or her resumé, and to brush up on interviewing skills. Nine of the 16 took the offer and came in for a consultation.

Of the 16, 12 have been offered new positions. Nine of the 12 were CTs who met with HRS representatives.

HRS will continue to offer consultation to employees they identify as being able to benefit from their services. However, employees don’t need to wait until HRS seeks them out.

Underwood said that the Employment office at MSU is happy to help employees with career and skills assessments, interviewing techniques, and resumé writing. Call Karna Brandt or Gene Rummel at 353-3720.

Underwood said she is concerned about whether CTs are keeping up with changing technology that affects their career opportunities.

"I have concern about how few CTs are applying for positions," said Underwood. "Many departments say they are looking for someone who has experience on campus, but the applicants from MSU aren’t there."

She said that she wonders if the problem is that employees do not have the skills required.

The CTU responded that we know of several specific instances in which CTs have been hindered from seeking training by their current departments. Although most cases can be successfully resolved through discussion or grievances, said Reeves, "the climate is that there is just too much work and fewer staff to do it."

Reeves acknowledged that training is frequently offered on-line, after work hours or on weekends and said that she encourages anyone who can do so to take advantage of it. However, she added, as an educational institution, MSU should promote training as part of the job, even during work hours.

Limited budgets have other negative effects on the ability of CTs to promote, Reeves added. She said that over the years the CTU has received numerous "off the record" comments from supervisors who say they had to "pass" on a long-term CT applicant in order to hire an individual who would cost the department less money.

Reeves also suggested that it is time to revisit the classification system. It is possible, she said, that some of the new skill requirements might bump people into higher classification levels.

The CTU thoroughly supports University policies that encourage the training and promotion of its employees, and we will continue to monitor the situation. Please notify your UR or the CTU office if you believe you were improperly denied training or promotional opportunities.