President Sweet's Letter to President Kim

February 5, 2010

Dear President Kim:
 
Today you will meet with the Trustees to decide on a plan that will address the financial challenges faced by Dartmouth College.  We know that you are sincerely concerned about the future of Dartmouth and only wish to do what is right for the community.  So, we want to take this opportunity to once again express our willingness to sit down in good faith with you and your team and negotiate a way forward. 
 
As I'm sure you understand, lay-offs and the resulting loss of health benefits and income, are devastating problems for our membership as well as the wider Dartmouth community.  We are obligated to exhaust every possible idea before accepting your proposed options and we believe you would do no differently if you stood in our place. 
 
We fear we are on a long path to further confrontation and disunity which ultimately serves no one's interests.  A contest of wills will only divide us further and tarnish the school's reputation.  We need time to repair our relationship and build the trust that is necessary to achieve a solution that can be accepted by everyone.  The choice is in your hands, it is not too late to move forward together. 
 
Sincerely,
Earl F. Sweet
President SEIU Local 560
District 2 VP NH AFL-CIO