Email Feedback from LTE Article
As a new hire I feel fortunate to be working at UW-Eau Claire. On the other hand, I took a significant cut in salary and
lost 4 weeks of vacation time to do so. LTE status was definitely the downside of taking this position but I didn’t fully
understand the nature or history of this classification.
Thanks so much for sharing this information and the work all of you do on this front. I will follow this issue closely, and
as someone who hopes to stay with the university long term, I am definitely an interested party.
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I feel the article covers the problem with LTE status very well. I was reminded this week how little consideration LTE’s
get when I saw that classified staff, faculty and administration were all awarded pay for the snow day on the 9th but
lowly LTE’s, many who like me as a single mom really needed the pay, were told no pay for you.
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Thanks for the link to this article. I’m not sure I like the process of an LTE position becoming a permanent position as it
would probably mean I would lose my job. I think if they wanted to be fair to the LTE’s who have held those positions,
they should offer them first to the LTE and then open it up to the other options. I’m not sure I can favor a system that
makes my position permanent but offers it to a host of other people before me. It seems like I would exchange one type
of discrimination for another. Thanks again and Merry Christmas!
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I just finished reading your article on LTE positions. I am currently an LTE in the xx Bldg. Many years ago I was an LTE
working for the State xx Division. I worked in various positions. When one of the positions became permanent – I
applied and was beaten out by a younger person, whom I had actually trained for the job. I had more experience and
had been there longer but because I was an LTE I didn’t have a leg to stand on.
I’m not complaining about the position I have now – I’m happy just to get the few hours to help out my retirement. I
just wanted to relate my story – and congratulate you on recognizing there is problem.
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Thank you Julia for writing such a great article about such an important topic. I know for me, filling out your survey was a
great chance to ‘vent’ about a system I have always known was unfair.
When I started, LTE’s weren’t in the printed telephone directory for campus, no matter how long they had been here.
And an LTE is often the first contact in many offices. I actually think some of our staff asking that question prompted the
change.
Since I was able to get a .x FTE position last year, of course my benefits etc. changed, but because I had been here, I
never had a formal orientation with HR, etc. I think that is a great example of how we fall through the cracks as well.
And of course I can’t just sign up for Income Continuation Insurance like an normal new employee, I have to accrue sick
leave first. However, I have no seniority.
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Of course, you know all this, but it is so surprising all the cracks in the system. I walked to my car one day with a former
Asst. Dean, excellent person, who is since retired. But until that day, after 20+ of working here, this person had no idea
what an LTE even meant, or the discrepancies and unfair treatment. That’s why your article and work is so important.
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Thank you Julia for all your efforts, it’s encouraging.
Being LTE this time of year isn’t easy – I’m always working, and pray I don’t get sick, so far I’ve have 5 years of luck that
way.
I’m so glad you have such wonderful co-workers to have done what they did for you to allow you to be with your mom –
warms my heart – there are good people out there. Count yourself as one of those good people!
Thank you!
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Thank you for an excellent article you sent about LTE’s! It was very well written and accurate! I remember responding
to a survey, but over time, forgot about it, because I thought nobody wanted to hear from us, let alone attempted to
change the system! I was very much interested because I have been here over 18 years in 16 different positions, and
for the last 15 years stayed in xx with two positions to be full-time. All along I have been taking the civil service tests,
and all the hiring for the vacant positions were transfers, and the one in registration was lost because it wasn’t acted
upon. It really is neat that you are still fighting for LTE’s, and if there would be any changes in the system, I would
probably lose all those years and have to start as a new state employee, which would also be beneficial for us to be
grandfathered in, and have all those years of service have some meaning. It was fortunate that you could work for an
understanding supervisor.
Thanks again for speaking on our behalf and I wish you all the best!
Merry Christmas!
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Right on. This is a nicely written article. The classism on campus has always dumbfounded me.
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EXCELLENT article. Great job!
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Thank you for your support of LTE’s that work full time permanent positions!
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Pretty nice article. It appeared well researched and thoughtful. You impressed me.
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Congratulations on your article about the inequities of LTE positions and women. It was very interesting to read, and I
definitely learned a lot and "widened my spectrum" of understanding of that crazy thing called the professional world.
All of the statistics and relation to UW-Eau Claire were especially interesting. Thank you very much!
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Great article on LTEs! I forwarded to my husband at UW-xx as his office has had LTEs for years and something needs to
be done about it.
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Congratulations on having your article published!
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Curious, do you have the job titles for the 144-200 LTE positions at UWEC?
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I read your article, and it’s very effective and well-written. The many-tiered structure here at UWEC has unconscionable
consequences for so many ppl—and yes, esp. women.
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F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S ARTICLE!
Congratulations!
THANK YOU!
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I am in the unsavory position of having to argue for a raise! My last raise was in August, 2007, At this point, I am .04
above the starting wage of an LTE office support person (I started here in November 2005, switched to xx in August
2006). My husband thinks I’d be better off quitting and getting rehired! I think he is right. I am wondering if you have
any information from your research on the wage scale and when they have gone up in that period?
I was told I am off-cycle for a raise? Was I on a cycle for a raise!? And, what are the very wide parameters of that
cycle!!!?
If you don’t have that information, I will contact HR. I always hesitate to talk to HR about anything as I feel like they may
stick a note in my file!!
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As you probably saw from my e-mail, I did actually leave the University recently. I did it to ______, but I have to admit
that I had also had enough of being an LTE and just thought it was time to go. I had planned to write something to
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Barbara Lawton on this issue, but was recently disappointed to see she has changed her mind about running for
governor and hasn't even said anything about her current position, so there might be no point in that.
Thanks for standing up for LTEs. I'll enjoy reading the article, and thanks again for thinking of me.
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You wrote a very nice article. I hope it makes a difference.
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I liked your article. LTE's are really taken advantage of all over the UW System. At a minimum they should be getting
some sort of sick leave/vacation benefits.
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I had to go through the same process as you from LTE to FTE, and your article was spot on. Mostly because of Carol’s
work, I was able to get a full entitled position
Very well written article.
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