TSTC System and TFA announce progress on state-of-the-art dispute resolution system
Waco, Texas—Texas State Technical College System and the Texas Faculty Association announced today that they are making significant strides on creating a new state-of-the-art dispute resolution system on TSTC campuses.
The joint venture between TSTC and TFA stems from the settlement of a lawsuit that TFA filed against TSTC a few years ago. TFA Executive Director Dr. Charles Zucker said, "TSTC and TFA decided then to leave our confrontational past behind and to work together to create a program that utilizes mediation as a way of resolving problems. Although it has taken a little longer than we expected to get the all the pieces in place, I am excited about recent developments in this path breaking project."
In this regard, TSTC Chancellor Bill Segura has designated Vice Chancellor Jonathan Hoekstra to invigorate and spearhead the project while working closely with TFA representatives to address their concerns. As TSTC and TFA envision the process now, any new dispute resolution system will entail the following major components:
- Non-binding mediation as early as possible between parties in disagreement or conflict. TSTC has agreed to send sufficient people to 40-hour mediation training to cover all of its campuses.
- The creation of a grievance committee to hear complaints should mediation or other measures fail. Currently, grievants have only their supervisory chain to which they can appeal.
- The creation of a procedure to check up on grievants after the process is complete to guard against retaliation.
TSTC Chancellor Bill Segura said, "At its most basic level, this is a radical change in our culture as we transform ourselves through this and other initiatives to empower our staff and faculty. Vice Chancellor Hoekstra will work with all the major stakeholders, including staff and faculty senates, to produce the best possible dispute resolution process for all."
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