To the editor:

In the Oct. 11 edition of the Journal-World, a Mr. Bill Glover in Manhattan recounts his impressions formed after attending a town hall meeting at Kansas University sponsored by the committee proposing alternatives to the state civil service system. I don’t know what his affiliation is with the university or state civil service, but it appears he left with some erroneous impressions. As a classified employee and as a member of the committee who helped draft this proposal, I will attempt to correct some of Mr. Glover’s misconceptions.

First of all, a committee consisting of three representatives of the administration and five members of Classified Senate designed the proposal. The proposal, if adopted, will allow the university to compensate its employees more fairly, will allow the university to respond to regional labor markets and will maintain at least the current levels of benefits, job security and appeal mechanisms. In some cases, these would be improved. This is a win-win proposal.

Mr. Glover’s letter ends with references to Rep. Tom Sloan and gives the impression that Sloan has not done everything he could to aid the classified employees. Not true. The only progress Classified Senate has made with the state Legislature has been through the representation of Sloan. He is the only legislator in Douglas County who has consistently taken the initiative to try to improve the working conditions of state employees. KU, Douglas County and Kansas need more legislators like him.

Mike Auchard,

Lawrence