MCCC Home | Year Index | 1992 Index

MCCC Elections by Mail Ballot

During the month of March, all unit members, full time, part time, and DCE, will be receiving two ballots in the mail for two separate elections. One ballot will be for the election of MCCC officers and delegates to the MTA and NEA Annual Meetings. The second ballot will come from the MTA and will be for the statewide election of delegates by all higher education unit members-- university to community college--to the NEA Representative Assembly.

Previously all voting was done on the respective campuses; however, the Board of Directors recommended that a mail ballot be tried this year. After this year's elections, the Elections Committee will make a recommendation as to the feasibility of continuing this new process.

Once ballots have been received by the unit members, they should pay particular attention to the deadline for the ballot return. There will be a stamped, self-addressed envelope enclosed with the ballot. If you have any questions, contact your chapter president or director.

The MCCC ballot should be received by all MCCC unit members in good standing (dues are paid) sometime during the second or third week of March. This is the first time the MCCC will be using a mail ballot.

Who's Writing the Future's Commission Report?

Does Secretary of Education Piedad Robertson feel that no one on the Future's Commission or her staff has the qualifications to write the Commission's report? Apparently, Secretary Robertson has hired Arthur Levine, the former president of Bradford College, and presently in the Department of Education at Harvard, to write the Commission's report. And who knew? Was this a decision made by the Commission or with the Commission's knowledge, or did the Secretary just do it?

Early Retirement Sits Precariously On the Edge of Passage

In the last issue of the Newsletter, it appeared that an early retirement was close to passage, and it would be just a matter of days. This whole issue, however, has become one of the most political and exacerbating issues in recent memory.

When the Conference Committee finally released its report on February 11, 1992, the early retirement proposal had been broken into three separate bills: #1 early retirement for state employees including higher education and trust fund employees with only a 15 percent backfill for all agencies; #2 early retirement proposal for K-12 and municipal employees; and #3 a COLA for retirees. The House voted to accept bill #1 and #2 by a very close margin of 76-65. Rep. Timothy O'Leary, in an unexpected move, took the floor and made what is likely to be his last speech on the House floor. He made an impassioned plea and implored the House members to reject the Conference Committee Report because of the change in the backfill language for higher education. He argued that the Commonwealth has a contract with students and to deny them access to an education with full-time faculty and enough courses was to violate the state's commitment to them. O'Leary also argued that the Conference Committee had exceeded its limit since the House version had 100 percent backfill for higher education and the Senate had 80 percent backfill up to the amount of savings. No doubt his plea contributed to the closeness of the House vote. Unfortunately, the issue of backfill along with the disagreement concerning no age requirement for those employees with 15 years service has become two Of the major factors in this early retirement proposal. Certain legislators maintain that these two issues (along with a few other minor issues) will cost the commonwealth money, not save it money.

When the Conference Report came to the Senate for approval on February 13, a vote to suspend the rules to take up the report did not pass by a two-thirds margin. Bulger then called the Senate back into session on Friday morning, February 14 and the Senate voted to accept only bill #1 of the Conference report.

Friday, February 14, however, saw a number of senators and representatives gone for the school vacation week. As a result, all action on the early retirement bill has been postponed until February 24 at the earliest. At the present time, when the bills come to the House for enactment, it is rumored that there will be amendments on bill #1 -- exclusion of legislators from the proposal and an age limit on the 15 year employees. There will also be an attempt to change the current proposed backfill language of 15 percent to something more palatable for higher education.

MTA lobbyist Jack Flanagan has doggedly pursued this early retirement bill on our behalf. It is his belief, along with other legislators, that if this bill does not get through in some version, then the chances of an early retirement incentive at a future date is almost impossible.

The best each unit member can do is to continue insisting that his or her legislator support an early retirement bill with appropriate backfill language for higher education. The calls from higher education have been timely and plentiful and have helped the lobbyists keep higher education alive in this bill.

James Rice

During the past four years I have traveled across the state talking and listening to hundreds and hundreds of faculty and professional staff both individually and in groups.

There is general agreement that the past ten years have been a cavalcade of successes. The recent vigorous legal action concerning furloughs and health care cuts and our bargaining position in fact-finding is responsive to our needs. Our past responses and pro-active stances on the issues have made us a strong union. We must now build on those strengths to set the 90's MCCC agenda by:

• Protecting and advancing the full time community college.

PROFESSORIATE AND PROFESSIONAL STAFF

• Positioning the MCCC to take advantage of any economic recovery.
• Securing 1990-1993 Contract funding.
• Protecting health care benefits.
• Promoting a higher education reorganization plan that ensures community college growth and integrity.
• Investing MCCC dues in organizing and training of MCCC membership.

We must embark on a comprehensive program that is campus or region based, that will provide MCCC members with leadership development, organizational and collective bargaining skills, as well as intellectual stimulation.

Our goals must:

• Provide services to empower faculty and professional staff.
• Promote the MCCC as learner friendly.
• Promote a more participatory MCCC.
• Influence public policy that affects the community colleges.

With our collective voices and collective actions we will determine our future.

I have a demonstrated record of experience and achievement based upon your support. I ask for your continued support.

Thomas Parsons

Higher education in Massachusetts is under attack, and our union must defend our interests and the ideals of higher education. The MCCC must undergo a metamorphosis to represent more effectively the interests of full time, part time, and continuing education members.

I believe that a pro-active, not reactive, program based on training, communications, and political action will meet the current challenge.

First, I propose an aggressive training program for chapter leaders, who deal directly with members' concerns. Better leadership training means better response to members' priorities, including contract funding and the "one college concept."

Second, a quantum leap in communications among members, chapter leaders, and statewide leaders must occur. The "trickle down" of the past must be replaced. Frequent campus visits and regional meetings will facilitate dialogue and develop a more democratic, decentralized, governance structure.

Third, a political action strategy must be developed, defining both clear objectives and plans to counter the governor's and legislators' continued attempts to weaken collective bargaining.

• Short term objectives must include protecting health care benefits and funding overdue salary increases.
• Intermediate goals include forging alliances with all higher education and K-12 unions. Together we'll create effective political action.
• In the long term, the MCCC must commit itself to improving the public's perception of the worth of community colleges and to preserving and advancing the welfare of its members.

As MCCC President, I will continue my tradition of hard work, integrity, and dedicated service. I appreciate your support and your vote in March.

Susan Dole

With your help and support, I pledge to continue as a strong unionist to help guide the MCCC through these difficult times. I look forward to working in concert with the Executive Committee and Board of Directors to assure that policies and procedures of the MCCC meet the changing needs of the Chapters and the DCE unit. I promise to listen to your ideas and concerns; assist with shaping them into cohesive frameworks within which these concepts can be transformed into focused action plans.

Through years of varied experiences, I have refined my human relations skills and developed clearer insights into the delicate balance of labor/management relationships.

Highlights of my pertinent qualifications for the position of Vice President include:

• President of the BHCC/PA (1988- present)
• The first professional staff member in MCCC history to serve as Chapter President
• Political Action Coordinator BHCC/PA (1985-1988)
• MCCC Negotiating Team member for the 1990-1993 contract
• MCCC Joint Study Committee
• Counselor BHCC for 13 years
• Adjunct faculty members, Behavioral Science BHCC/DCE
• Community activist with over 20 years of grass-roots organizing and training experience in Charlestown

I have a combination of personal qualities and technical know-how that will prove to be valuable assets in accomplishing the goals of the office.

The MCCC currently faces many complex problems that will require creative and flexible solutions. I possess the proven leadership skills necessary to be a productive member of our leadership team. I would appreciate your vote. Thank you.

David Ram

I teach at Holyoke Community College and am a member of the MCCC Board of Directors. I believe in the goodness and power of our union. We are the largest and one of the best educated and most articulate MTA locals. We can change the public's opinion of state workers and get money from the legislature.

As Chapter President last spring, I coordinated a two-day lobbying effort in Boston, day-long rallies on campus, and a sticker demonstration at graduation. I have published letters on taxes and furloughs in newspapers in Holyoke, Springfield, Greenfield, and Boston. I will continue to publicly plead our case, working with all chapters to sway the legislature in our favor.

I will continue to listen to MCCC members and to act accordingly, helping our MCCC Officers and general membership get what we want. I have heard we want one contract that represents the interests of all members. That is, professional staff will be remunerated fairly for working extra months; adjunct Day and DCE faculty will get salary and benefits proportionately equivalent to full-timers; junior faculty will have fewer salary steps to climb; senior faculty will have the promise of meaningful tenure and health retirements; our insurance will be restored; and our contract will be funded.

To speak in one voice, as the vanguard of higher education locals, we 4,200 need to resolve differences of bargaining units and job titles. Whether full time or adjunct, faculty or professional staff, we are all MCCC.

James Bradley

1992 will mark the beginning of another term for MCCC elected officials. Regardless of who the winners are there's a rough row to hoe before them.

The critical challenges facing the MCCC for the next two years are: economic justice, the one-college concept, increased power to local Boards of Trustees, privatization of Public Higher Education, weakening of Academic Freedom and, most importantly, the erosion of full-time teaching and professional staff unit positions.

I believe there must be more leadership training at all levels within the MCCC and the local chapters. We must provide funding for such training and insist on fair and equitable assistance from the MTA. Further, there is a need for better communication patterns among and between local, state, and MTA channels.

One very important point should not be forgotten. We must not let the hard-won rights of part-time and DCE unit members be abrogated by calculating administrations seeking to create a rift among and between the various segments of our union.

Our message is clear: WE ARE UNITED AND WE WILL PLAY A FULL ROLE IN SHAPING THE DIRECTION OF PUBLIC HIGHER EDUCATION FOR THE 90'S. I would appreciate your vote for treasurer of the MCCC. Thanks Very Much.

Roger Dufresne

I am running for Treasurer for the MCCC because this year will be a year of tremendous change. There will be at least two new officers who have not served at the MCCC level, a new Vice President and Treasurer.

With this kind of change, it is imperative that we look to experience more than ever. I have that needed MCCC experience.

In the past, it was easier to slowly "bring along" one new officer. This will not be the case this year.

In addition, there is a growing effort by state government and the administration of all campuses to continually challenge our bargained rights. Unit members should not be expected to carry an ever larger burden by a smaller full-time workforce. More part-time personnel deserve to be hired full-time and not be continually exploited. I too, was once part-time faculty. I understand part-time problems.

There are many critical issues to deal with. As your Treasurer, I will continually fight for your rights with a confidence that experience and education will bring. I will not be marginally effective while I "learn" the Treasurer's function. I have already served as Treasurer in both nonprofit and profit corporations and also serve on the MCCC Finance Committee.

You will receive strength, vision, dedication and a ferocity that only a combat veteran can bring. You will also receive sophistication that has also been recognized by Marquis' Who's Who among others.

Please Vote for Roger Dufresne for your Treasurer.

John Jacobs

The road becomes difficult when distaste for state workers starts with the governor and we must garner support for Public Higher Education from a legislature where almost everyone received their education from private schools. Just because the road is rocky, there is no reason to lessen the resolve to succeed.

We should receive a decent day's wage (with full benefits) for a decent day's work and the remunerations should keep pace with inflation. We must strive to secure full time employment opportunities for those working part time. All adjuncts should receive wages and benefits proportionate to their efforts. Our first DCE contract came a long way in raising salaries and creating criteria for reappointment.

We belong to the MTA and NEA. The way to mobilize them on our behalf is to be fully involved with them. If we make their problems our problems, they will respond and make our problems their problems.

I have been an active unionist since Dukakis said (in the early 70's) "If you want a raise, bargain for it." I worked on organizing and then 1 was a member of the first Board of Directors. I have been a campus Vice President and President. I received the Jon Butler award for outstanding chapter president in 1987. I have participated in MTA and NEA annual meetings and serve on MTA's Electorial Review Committee.

Please vote. Your participation counts. It demonstrates activism and involvement to the MTA and NEA and presents a strong unified front to management.

Know Your Contract

Mar. 7	Sabbatical Leave Committee recommendations and ranking for sabbatical proposals
Mar. 15	Unit Personnel Practices Committee recommendations due for tenure and one-year appointments
Mar. 15	Dean's recommendations for title changes due

N.B. Dates may vary depending on first day of classes. Also, most of these dates are "last date" standards. In many instances, the action can he accomplished before the date indicated.