EDITORIAL: A push for new A-3 elections

The A-3 Assembly should throw out the results of its October elections and hold new elections. We hope the arbitrator will throw out the results of the October elections and tell the Assembly to hold new elections as soon as possible. In the elections, four candidates ran for eight open positions and only 22 of the thousands of University hourly-wage employees voted. Even without going to arbitration, we strongly urge the A-3 Assembly to hold new elections and to publicize them widely. There should be no miscommunication of the deadline to apply for candidacy, and the Assembly's Executive Board should encourage employees to run. The board should also try to get as many people as possible to vote in the elections. The legitimacy of the Assembly is at stake with the complications that have occurred with these elections. With only 22 voters, we assume that either A-3 employees did not know about the elections, or many did not feel the Assembly adequately represents them to administrators. Now more then ever, A-3 employees should have a strong voice advocating their opinions as administrators restructure the University. The new benefits package -- which cuts health care and tuition benefits -- directly affect A-3 employees. They need a representative to the administration to ensure their views of the package are heard. And right now, the A-3 Assembly is not effectively filling that role. It is ridiculous that half-a-year later the results of an election are still not known. And at a time when A-3 employees need an organization to champion their rights, the A-3 Assembly should get its act together and hold new elections.