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Wisconsin Union student employees vocalized their concerns about the state of employee relations at the final of four forums Tuesday night.

Mark Guthier, director of the Wisconsin Union, said to a group of eight students and around 20 full-time employees the meeting was held as a “chance to say whatever is on your mind.”

After a silence, one student employee said her time at the union has been “a great experience.” She also thanked the director and her fellow employees for all they have done for students at the university. Many of the students in attendance agreed.

Guthier said the goal of the forum was to flesh out specific themes from the previous three forums and relate them to the employment of the staff and students in attendance.

Communication among the management staff and the student employees was put forth as a major issue. Guthier admitted some departments were better than others in communication, as layers exist in some divisions that may make it more difficult for students to connect with their superiors.

UW senior Shannon Fugina suggested the idea of a “family tree” for the union, with branches representing each of the departments and the titles of their members for better communication so “students know how the parts fit together.”

Both students and full-time employees alike said a “disconnect” exists between year-round employees, staffed union employees and members of the Wisconsin Union Directorate.

Staff said in multiple cases they were aware of the students’ names but not their faces. Communication is “something we can always be better at,” Guthier said. “But this is not a unique problem for us. Unions across the country face similar problems.”

The forum also brought up the idea of a student employee advisory committee that could meet on a periodic basis to discuss issues students find with union employment.

Tipping policy issues were also addressed, as well as the suggestion that more students be scheduled late to make for a safer late-night environment at the unions.

As a final point, Guthier urged students to go to someone in the union if there is ever a problem during their shifts or with their supervisors.

“The organization is here to help you,” he said.

He added he hopes students will take advantage of this opportunity to prevent future misunderstandings between students and their full-time superiors.

The Tuesday forum was the last in a series planned after a petition signed by 33 union student employees was filed with the Offices of the Dean of Students Feb. 27. The petition said the Wisconsin Union had lost its “student voice,” while creating a “hostile, stressful work environment” for its employees.