In their appeal, the SEIU asked for "sufficient time for the collective bargaining process to work."
In the wake of upcoming budget cuts, the union and College remain at odds regarding the extent to which workers should be able to participate in the negotiations.
A letter from the SEIU to College President Jim Yong Kim obtained by The Dartmouth said that the College's Director of Human Resources Deborah Grant had informed the SEIU that Dartmouth may dismiss employees as early as next month.
Leaders of the local chapter of the union asked Kim in the letter for a delay in the process, but have so far received no direct reply, SEIU Local 560 President Earl Sweet said in an interview with The Dartmouth.
Sweet was unaware of the dismissal until reading about the decision in the Valley News, he said.
"I was a little surprised to read in the Valley News what [the College] had to say about it," Sweet said. "We've gotten no response from the [College] president or any of his people."
Although Adams acknowledged that College administrators have denied the SEIU's request, he said he did not know when the actual decision was made.
"We are concerned that a Valley News story on this subject has left the impression that the College has rebuffed union efforts to discuss how budget reactions can be achieved in a way that minimizes job losses," Adams said in a statement.
Adams added that he believes the College notified the union before the Valley News published its article, although he could not confirm as of press time whether they had been notified.
Sweet said he believes the College has not sufficiently involved the SEIU in the budget cut discussions over the past year.
"I find that troubling, to say the least," Sweet said.
Adams disagreed, saying "there has been a lot of opportunity before now to raise a suggestion like this."
Union members met Thursday to outline the negotiations that will begin today regarding a new collective bargaining agreement, according to Sweet.
The current contract is set to expire on June 30. "We've been very open and clear about the timetables [concerning] the budget process," Adams said.
The SEIU believes that the College's attempts to reduce spending by implementing layoffs will negatively affect the Dartmouth community, according to the letter submitted by the union.
College officials have said they plan to cut $100 million over the next two years. Administrators are working to complete the deficit-reduction proposal in time to make a presentation to the Board of Trustees at its meeting, to be held Feb. 4-5.
Adams maintained that the College's administration, including Kim, have sought meetings with SEIU leaders.
"We're at the point in the process now where we need to move forward with it in order to meet the College's financial challenges, which is very important to the long-term health of the College," Adams said.
Adams stressed the College's need for expediency in addressing this issue.
"We're in a situation where we have a very serious budget challenge to deal with, and the College is trying to work with the entire community," Adams said.
