Union files two grievances against UI in baby monitor incident

IOWA CITY - A union that represents thousands of University of Iowa employees has filed two grievances with the university stemming from an incident where a baby monitor was used to eavesdrop on employees.

John Stellmach, president of AFSCME Local 12, a union representing about 5,000 UI employees, said Wednesday union officials have filed two grievances with the central office of UI human resources on behalf of the employees. One grievance says the workers faced reprisal and discrimination for union affiliation and the other says UI officials denied Stellmach the right to leave his job to investigate and represent the workers, which he says is allowed by union contract.

There is a formal grievance process that includes hearings and timelines, and it could eventually lead to arbitration, which Stellmach said he expects.

“We're definitely not going to let this one die,” he said.

UI officials conducted an internal investigation and disciplined two UI Hospitals and Clinics employees in the incident. Three clerks and two secretaries in the urology department complained March 14 after they found a baby monitor in their work area.