DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - The Latest on Grinnell College in Iowa seeking to withdraw a union petition (all times local):
4:45 p.m.
A spokeswoman for an Iowa college says the school welcomes a student group’s request to withdraw a union petition filed with the National Labor Relations Board.
Grinnell College spokeswoman Debra Lukehart said in a statement Friday that the school’s “concern has always been about how the expansion of the student union could affect Grinnell’s distinctive culture and diminish education opportunities for our students.”
Lukehart says Grinnell wouldn’t oppose the student’s request, which will be decided by a regional official with the board.
Grinnell student Cory McCartan, who helped organize the Union of Grinnell Student Dining Workers and sought to expand it to more student workers, says the group asked to withdraw its petition Thursday in the face of opposition from college administrators. The students feared that board members would agree with administrators that an earlier decision approving the union was incorrect and a ruling would limit student unions at other colleges.
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2:30 p.m.
Students at an Iowa college are seeking to end their effort to expand a union representing student workers because of fear a federal board would reject their request and set back unions at colleges across the country.
Grinnell College student Cory McCartan helped organize the Union of Grinnell Student Dining Workers. He confirms Friday that the group has asked to withdraw its petition from the National Labor Relations Board in the face of opposition from college administrators.
A regional official with the board will decide whether to grant the request. A smaller union representing only food service workers will remain.
McCartan says his group believes a board appointed by President Donald Trump wouldn’t give them a fair hearing, and a rejection would hurt existing student unions at other colleges.
A college spokeswoman didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
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