Some University of Akron staffers say they're not at all surprised that university president Luis Proenza is trying to discourage them from joining a union.

Ann Evans is an administrative assistant at the university, and part of a group of support staffers interested in voting for a union.

She says Proenza sent a similar letter to faculty members who moved to unionize in 2003. But she believes joining the Communications Workers of America (CWA) would be a good move.

"We do think by joining together with one voice, we would have a stronger voice on campus," Evans tells AkronNewsNow.com, "and get a seat at the table."

Proenza's letter says though employees have the right to decide whether they want to unionize, he doesn't think unionization in the best interest of employees and the university.

Evans says unionizing would be a positive net result for the workers and the university.

"Yes, we do," Evans tells AkronNewsNow.com, "We think it would be positive, make the university maybe even better.  We're looking for respect, opportunity and security in our jobs, and we think that having CWA representatives, that that would be accomplished."

The letter went out to support staff, like administrative assistants and secretaries.