MCCC Home | Year Index | 1992 Index

In This Issue:

• Fact Finder Recommends 24%
• Legislature passes 13.7%
• Negotiating Team Vacancies
• Higher Education Conference

Contract Funding Passes Legislature

As this newsletter goes to print, the legislature has just passed our contract funding bill and it sits on the governor's desk awaiting his amendments or veto. The bill provides for an increase of six percent on December 21, 1992, and the balance of the 13.7 percent to be paid June 28, 1993. There remains the outstanding issue of the retroactive monies, health and welfare funding, unfunded promotions, and part-time day faculty increases.

Between the election and this vote, the increased activism of the faculty and staff clearly impacted the results. Also it is necessary to monitor the state's revenues so that in the spring we can move to fund fully the entire agreement.

This does not mean, however, that the political activity ends now because of some success. Once the voting results on the contract funding are received and distributed, all unit members should write a note of thank you to their legislator(s) who supported us.

In anticipation that congratulations are not premature, chapter presidents and unit members deserve a hearty thank you. Phil Mahler from Middlesex Community College, however, deserves special recognition. The MCCC leadership made the contract funding its number one agenda and appointed Mahler the Statewide Contract Funding Chair. He did an extraordinary job of keeping chapter presidents informed by phone and mail and urging chapters to keep up the pressure. The MTA committed its legal, governmental, and higher education staff to this issue and was key to the coalition's success. Though this process remains incomplete, we have crossed at least one big hurdle.

Fact Finder Recommends 24%

After months of negotiations throughout 1989 and 1990, the employer was standing firm on its position that there should be no wage increases for the 1990-1993 contract. Negotiations reached impasse, and the MCCC filed a petition for mediation. In March 1990 impasse was certified, but after a number of unsuccessful mediation sessions, the MCCC asked the Board of Mediation and Conciliation to declare an impasse and appoint a fact finder.

While the fact finding request was pending, the community colleges and other state employee unions reached a Christmas Eve agreement with Governor Dukakis' administration. Though Governor Dukakis approved the funding request for fiscal 1991, he failed to submit the request to the legislature before his term expired. Governor Weld took over and refused to submit the funding request, and in the spring, the unions executed a contract dealing only with the non- economic issues.

When the economic part of the contract was not funded, the MCCC returned to the table with fact finder Tim Bornstein. The MCCC presented arguments for increases in four areas: salaries for full and part-time employees, Health and Welfare Trust Fund contributions, unfunded promotions, and travel and meal allowances.

The MCCC's principal witness was David Danning, Assistant Director of Research for the MTA. He testified that two types of salary adjustments were warranted: I) an adjustment for past and projected inflation; and 2) an equity adjustment. These adjustments would narrow the gap between the community colleges and the other public higher education institutions. This need was recognized by our two previous fact finding reports from James Healey.

The MCCC argued for a 16.2% salary adjustment based on inflation; the fact finder recommended 15%. The MCCC argued for an equity adjustment of 22.4%; the fact finder recommended 9%. His recommendation for a salary increase is 8% per year or 24% retroactive to July 1, 1989,

The MCCC argued that the employer must honor its original agreement for part-time day faculty which paralleled the DCE salary increase. These faculty have received only a 10-15% raise since 1975.

"The Union's claim for an increase in part-time, day faculty increases is also patently appropriate, especially in view of the contract signed with DCE faculty." Bornstein recommended a 35% increase (to $500 per credit) retroactive to 1/13/1992; a 10% increase (to $545 per credit) retroactive to 6/30/91 and a 20% increase (to $645 per credit) retroactive to 6/28/92. For professional staff, Bornstein recommends an hourly increase of $5 retroactive to 1/13/91; $2 retroactive to 6/30/91 and $4 retroactive to 6/28/92.

The MCCC proposed a per-unit- member weekly increase in the state's contributions of $1.02 for dental benefits; $.84 for vision, and $.48 to $.82 for a Trust stabilization fund. Presently the state contributes $6 per employee per week.

Bornstein recommended that the state contribute $.48 per employee per week retroactively to July I, 1989, to be used for a stabilization fund. He also recommended that the state's contribution be increased to $9 per employee per week.

In 1988-1989 445 promotions were awarded but not funded. The cost of funding these promotions is $444,110, and no promotions have been granted since 1989.

"It is unconscionable that the authorized and promised promotions have not been funded since 1989," Bornstein wrote. He recommended that they all be funded.

The current allowance for unit members travelling on college and professional business has not changed for years and "is patently inadequate." Presently mileage is $.22; breakfast $2.50; lunch $k and dinner $7.

Bornstein recommended increases in mileage to $.39 per mile; breakfast $6.25; lunch $9.50; and dinner $20.

A Question of Value

Fact finder Bornstein, in his recommendation, wrote, "...the question of Massachusetts's ability to pay higher salaries for community colleges' faculty is inextricably tied to the State's willingness to pay higher salaries. How much the citizenry is willing to pay for a governmental service--whether that service is the operation of community colleges or courts or parks or highways or hospitals or prisons--is a function of the value it assigns to that service in relationship to other community needs. And that leads to the ultimate political question: 'Does Massachusetts sufficiently value its community college system to keep it healthy, accessible, innovative and successful in meeting its objectives?'

"The mission of community colleges it to provided [sic] locally based education in a variety of liberal arts, pre-professional and technical fields. Probably no segment of higher education in America has grown so rapidly and serves such a large and diverse population. Community colleges are teaching institutions pure and simple. Their resources are devoted almost entirely to classroom needs. Community college teachers are not obliged to engage in research, to conduct seminars for a handful of graduate students, or to serve on doctoral committees; their obligation is to teach and advise large numbers of students at the freshman and sophomore level. . .

"What value should the state place on its community colleges? While that is a political question, it is self-evident that community colleges serve more citizens, in more communities and in more ways than any other component of public higher education. Their long-term importance to the State is incalculable, 'for they open the doors of economic and social opportunity for poor, disadvantaged, immigrant and older citizens. They enrich the cultural lives of the communities they serve. And, as the evidence shows, community college graduates are more likely to remain in the state--to contribute to its economy and social life--than are graduates of other public institutions.

"If the State values its community college system, it must pay community college teachers fairly, for they are crucial. They are the operational core of the system. They are in the classroom daily to teach, stimulate and inspire students. If their salary and other needs are neglected, they will leave the system, or, for those who remain, be demoralized.

"The record shows that Massachusetts community college teachers have suffered significant, real wage losses through the corrosive effects of inflation since their last wage increase in September, 1988 ... Based on the Union's uncontested data that community college teachers by 1993 will have lost approximately 16.2% in purchasing power since their last wage increase--real wage losses as measured by the BLS figures--I conclude that the ...community college teachers are entitled to an equity wage increase... and a cost of living increase adjustment."

Election Success To all the unit members who volunteered in any capacity in this year's election, the leadership of the MCCC extends its thanks. The results exceeded the expectation with Governor Weld losing five senate seats, four of which benefit education (MTA endorsed Christopher Lane, a republican senator who lost.). Marc Pacheco beat Erving Wall, Bryan MacDonald beat Robert Hedlund, Cheryl Jacques beat Minority Leader David Locke, and Theresa Murray beat Edward Kirby. The MTA endorsed candidates prevailed in close to 90 percent of the elections.

Presidents Reject Fact Finder's Report

When the fact finder's report was received, the negotiating teams returned to the table on Thursday, November 12. The MCCC was told that the presidents reject the fact finder's report and have nothing to propose. At a presidents meeting on Monday, November 16, the presidents voted to reject the report and voted not to fund the outstanding promotions. (State college presidents funded the outstanding promotions and department chair stipends.) The acceptance of the fact finder's report in light of our contract funding bill would have been a symbolic show of support and the funding of the outstanding promotions easily affordable by each college.

NEA Higher Education Conference in New Orleans

The 1993 NEA Higher Education Conference will be held at the Fairmont Hotel near the French Quarter in New Orleans. Though the conference runs from Friday, February 26 to Sunday, February 28, 1993, the National Council for Higher Education will hold its annual meeting on Thursday evening, February 25 and Friday morning.

The theme of this year's conference is Restructuring Higher Education to Meet the Challenges of a Global Economy and will emphasize three areas of change--economic, technology and multiculturalism-- from an international perspective.

Everyone should have received a registration form at home. The registration fee covers the reception and banquet on Friday, lunch on Saturday, brunch on Sunday, and all materials. If you register prior to December 18 the fee is $110; after December 18, the fee is $135. Deadline for registration is January 15, 1993. The hotel rate is $103 per night. If you are interested and need additional information, call Irma Johnson at NEA.

Do You Know Where They Are?

All female faculty and professional staff who are part of the equity suit settlement should have received a correspondence from Attorney Betty A. Gittes. A number of letters, however, have been returned, address unknown. In the next couple of issues of the Newsletter, a list will be printed of women who need to be contacted, otherwise their monies will go to the colleges' account. If anyone knows anyone on this list, please contact her and ask her to call Attorney Gittes.

Berkshire:
Judith Aronow; Kristina Cimini; Marie Trifone

Bristol:
June F. Manelis; Anne Watson; Diana Yarchin, Estate of

Bunker Hill:
Patricia Brown; Cynthia A. Fong; Henriette Huybregts; Pamela Perkins-Johnson

Cane Cod:
Marie Canaves

Holyoke:
Leslie Butterworth, Estate of; Virginia F. Johnston; Mary-Jane O'Connor

Massasoit:
Janet Alien; Elizabeth Chisholm; Laureen Fregeau Mass, Bay: Ann Marie Clougherty; Sharon H. Dunn; Susan M. Santucci

Middlesex:
Ja'mel Cinto; Geraldine Dansky; Michelle Graczyk; Pauline Ladebauche; Lisa Lessard; Carol Luttrell; Kristine Perkins; Sherry Pimental; Judith Porter

Mt. Wachustt:
Jan E. Siskind

No. Shore:
Judith Gray; Marguerite Gerstell; Claire Jackson

Quinsigamond:
Ellyn Bulikowski; Diane Gary

Roxbury:
Josephine Apperwhite; Eleanor Burtman; Carol Camlin; Sharon Phillip; Lourdes Rodriquez

Springfield:
Marsha L. Eaten; Linda Harrington; Mancy McAuliffe

Day Negotiating Team Vacancies

Applications are now being accepted for the MCCC Negotiating Team for the 1993-1996 day (full-time and part-time day employees) contract. Anyone interested in applying for the team should include the following information in his or her resume and cover letter:

1. Union experience at chapter and/ or statewide level
2. Academic background
3. Bargaining experience
4. Chapter activities
5. Knowledge and understanding of labor relations

Applicants should bear in mind that attendance at the Negotiations Track at the MTA Summer Leadership Conference at Williams College, August 9-13, 1993, may be required of all team members.

Applications must be postmarked no later than February 1, 1993, and mailed to Tom Parsons, MCCC President.

DCE Team Vacancies

The MCCC is accepting applications from DCE unit members in good standing (dues are paid) who are interested in being a member of the 1993-1996 DCE Negotiating Team. Though negotiations will not begin until some time in the spring, the announcement will appear in the next three issues of the Newsletter.

If you are interested in serving on the team, send a resume and a cover letter to MCCC President Tom Parsons, ii Cottonwood Road, Wellesley, MA 02181. Deadline for application is March 1, 1993.

Northeast Regional Conference in Newport The NEA Northeast Regional Conference will be held at the Newport Islander Doubletree Hotel in Newport from Friday, January 22 to Sunday, January 24, 1993. Conference offerings will include Diversity, Health Care, Technology, Labor, and Professional issues. Registration deadline is November 23, 1992, and the fee is $75. If you need any information, contact the NEA Regional Office in Braintree at 617- 848-0820.

MCCC Vacancies On MTA Bulletin All you need is a computer and a Hayes compatible modem, and you can sign onto the MTA Bulletin Board and send and receive messages to and from other MTA members. Still in its fledgling stage, time is limited to only one-half hour, but with increased usage, that will change. The MCCC has now put all MCCC vacancies in the system on the Bulletin Board. If you would like to get onto the Bulletin Board system, dial 1-800- 523-8883 (1200 or 2400 baud, 8 data bits; 1 stop, NONE parity). Follow the prompts. When you first logon, you will be asked a few questions. After that, last and first name and password are all that is needed. Once on the main menu, select [B]. You can now access Community College Vacancies (HIEDVAC). Once on, any questions about the bulletin board go to Ron Miller or to the SYSop.

Know Your Contract

Oct. 21	Unit Personnel Practices Committee elected
Nov. 30	Notice of tentative courses and spring schedules to faculty
Nov. 30	Distribution of student evaluation materials
Dec. 18	Faculty submit College Service and Student Advisement forms

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.