To: The Wellesley Community
From: Carolyn Slaboden, Assistant Vice President and Director of Human Resources and Equal Opportunity
Re: Wellesley College Botanic Gardens Staffing
Date: November 30, 2017
I am writing to share information about the College’s staffing plans for the Wellesley College Botanic Gardens (WCBG).
WCBG will play a greater role in both teaching and scientific research, which will require a change in staffing. We deeply value and care about those members of our community who have contributed decades of service, supporting our historic greenhouses. We have carefully considered the impact of these changes on the WCBG staff and have been working toward a solution that respects the needs of all members of our community.
After actively listening to Union and community concerns, the Wellesley Administration submitted a revised proposal to the Independent Maintenance and Service Employees’ Union of America (Union) on November 16 that changed the configuration of the WCBG positions. While we wait for the Union’s response, the College has extended the deadline by which any of these changes will be made by one week to December 8.
We want to also assure you that the Union WCBG employees are entitled to all rights associated with the Union contract. Specifically, the College’s contract with the Union provides a Union employee whose position is eliminated with several options that offer significant protections for maintaining his or her seniority and rate of pay.
We continue to work in good faith toward a resolution with the Union, and we are optimistic that an agreement will be reached.
