Mediation is scheduled to begin soon between the Linn-Benton Community College and its part-time faculty. There have been protests from the association and the employees would prefer not to participate in mediation.

The two side have been in negotiations since November 2015 concerning the first contract for the 300 part-time faculty members. The Part Time Faculty Association represents the employees. After months of failed independent negotiations, the college recently requested mediation during a bargaining session in August.

Chairman for the Part Time Faculty Association and past president of the association Tak Suyama claims his members had no choice if the college requires mediation, but the group would much prefer standard bargaining. They believe there is still a chance an agreement could be reached without third-party interference. According to Suyama, “We are strongly against moving toward mediation at this time… [and] we have been making progress at the table.”

He also stated seven articles have not yet been discussed during the independent bargaining sessions, including student complaints, academic freedom, proportional pay, evening and weekend assignments, third party pay, member rights, and transition to full time.

The association wrote a letter to the college accusing it of not engaging in discussion at the table concerning these articles and calling the request for mediation inappropriate and premature. It also pointed out that given the fact the school did not keep its word about discussing these issues, the association believes it is inappropriate to be forced into mediation.

Mediation requests are an option per the official bargaining guidelines after 150 days of unsettled negotiations.