MCCC Home | Year Index | 1993 Index

In This Issue:

• Aronson Receives Lemieux Award
• Early Retirement Bill
• Equity Study
• More Administrative Raises

Jack Aronson Receives Lemieux Award

In the summer of 1987, the MCCC lost one of its most dedicated and respected leaders when MCCC Treasurer Raymond C. Lemieux from Springfield Technical Community College died from a heart attack. Ray Lemieux had a strong commitment to teaching and to the union. He had the rare ability of dealing within the microcosm and the macrocosm, never losing sight of the total picture. He understood reform, progress, and change. He was active and readily available to respond to colleagues' concerns be they from STCC or the MCCC, MTA, or NEA. He was able to express differences without anger. He was patient, compassionate, and kind. His knowledge of accounting systems at the community colleges and at the state level made him indispensable to the union, college administrators, and the state.

In 1991 the MCCC established an award in memory of Ray Lemieux to be given to a unit member who personifies the qualities and characteristics . . . "of an individual whose service, leadership, and dedication have contributed significantly to the Massachusetts Community College Council. Criteria for the award are service to higher education and to the labor movement in the quest for improved working conditions, and the maintenance of` high standards of professional excellence as well as demonstrated leadership in the MCCC and higher education. "

This year the MCCC awarded the second Raymond C. Lemieux award to Jack Aronson a professor at Northern Essex Community College.

Jack Aronson, since the age of 18 when he was a Red Cross swimming instructor, wanted to make teaching his career. He earned a B.A. and M.A. in Romance Languages (and subsequently an Ed.D. in Language Education) from Boston University, an M.A.T. in Teaching from Harvard, and a Bachelors of Jewish Education (BJED) from Hebrew College in Brookline. In September, 1964 he was hired as an Assistant Professor of Spanish at the newly established Northern Essex Community College.

Aronson, reflecting on his early teaching years, says "I thoroughly enjoyed teaching at the college level. Despite that, however, I, along with others, was becoming more concerned about the attitude of the administration. We felt that we had very little control over our professional lives, and we began to plan for a union even before the law was passed." After collective bargaining passed for public higher education, Aronson became more actively involved in the newly constituted Massachusetts Community College Council (MCCC) at the chapter level. He served on the chapter's first board and was the first chapter vice president. He met Ray Lemieux while serving as chapter president at No. Essex when Ray was a member of the negotiating team for the first contract.

Before the contract was funded, however, difficulties arose, and the college's president John Dimitry threatened to throw Aronson in jail for planning a strike. "I had set up the strike headquarters and made all the necessary arrangements for a full-blown strike. Management and the union reached an agreement, however, and the strike was averted."

Throughout the years, Aronson has remained involved in the chapter and local union. Remaining on the chapter's board, he was also chapter grievance officer, and in 1981 was elected to the MCCC Board of Directors. He served on the MCCC Executive Committee and was a member of the 1983-1986 Negotiating Team.

"One of the most stressful times during my involvement in the union over the years was the decertification movement in the early 80's. We formed a group and we worked very hard to defeat the decertification."

Joe Rizzo, former chapter president and presently the MCCC Grievance Coordinator for DCE remembers Jack, "going from office to off ice to speak with the members on a one-to-one basis to convince them that the MCCC needed to remain with the strongest union, the MTA. Because of his style of convincing people with logic and fairness, our chapter voted 134 to 10 to stay with the MTA. He was chapter president again during the DCE strike, and he demonstrated great leadership on behalf of these employees. He was not intimidated when the college president John Dimitry approached picketers to discuss the strike. Jack would confront the president on the validity of the strike and the necessity of a decent wage for DCE faculty to recognize their professional worth. Our chapter stayed on the picket line until the strike was ended. In my opinion, not only is Jack one of the kindest people I ever met, but he is interesting because he has the ability to combine quiet integrity with a passionate commitment to the union and the rights of the membership."

Looking back over his involvement in the MCCC since its inception, Aronson observes, "The MCCC has evolved slowly. I firmly believe it made the right decision to affiliate with the MTA as we were able to avail ourselves of its resources, both human and financial, in order to become more knowledgeable in how a union functions. Like any organization which is new, defining itself is the most difficult task. In our case, however, the presidents helped define the MCCC through their dictatorial rule by making personal fiefdoms. They would dig in their heels on issues insignificant to them but meaningful to us--like working conditions and salary-- neither one of which came out of their pockets. Though things have improved a little over the years, it seems that only a few presidents in the system are really interested in having good labor/management relations. Other presidents, under the guise of better relations, would rather have MCCC look the other way while they violate our contractual rights."

After seventeen years in the MCCC, Aronson says, "We have a fine blend of experienced veterans and newcomers willing to work in the system. But, we can never say to ourselves that we have reached our ultimate goal. We have to be proactive and reactive--proactive when we feel we are creative enough and reactive when we confront surprise moves. Each time the MCCC has tried to make some concessions to gain something from management in return, management accepts the concessions as if they were entitled to them and feels it owes the union nothing in return. The presidents have to realize that the colleges' priorities are the students first, faculty and professional staff second. The administration is superfluous."

As Jack moves into his 30th year of teaching, his one frustration is that he is still not at the top of the salary schedule. "I have no quarrel with the people who make more, but the system that allows these inequities must be addressed. In the next round of negotiations, I believe a priority must be a compressed salary schedule."

Jim Bradley, the chapter president, says, "I have worked closely with Jack for over 15 years. He has not only been active in the union, but has been active on all college committees and within the Jewish community. He is a dignified man with immense integrity. Like Ray Lemieux, Jack always worked hard on behalf of the members with the belief that talking to people directly was the most effective tool in educating the membership. He has always had an excellent relationship with his students because of this quality, and the membership at No. Essex have benefited enormously over the years because of his commitment to the college and our union. His basic philosophy has always been-negotiate a compromise when necessary, but never surrender. I believe that this is what has made Jack so effective. On behalf of the NECCFA, we are very proud that Jack was given this award."

Summer Leadership Grants Available From MCCC

The MCCC has available at least 30 grants for full funding for MTA's Summer Leadership Conference at Williams College, Williamstown, Mass. from August 9-13, 1993. If unit members decide to attend only the higher education mini-track which runs Wednesday through Friday morning rather than the whole week, more grants will be available since it is nearly half the cost. The conference fee is $275 per person ($142 for the two and one- half day higher education track). This includes room, meals, and conference materials.

The higher education track begins at the higher education luncheon on Wednesday, August II. In addition to the higher education tract, MCCC Grievance Coordinator Dennis Fitzgerald will conduct a contract maintenance workshop on Tuesday; MCCC Secretary John Jacobs and MCCC Treasurer Roger Dufresne will conduct a workshop on The Automated Treasurer: and Joe Rizzo, MCCC Grievance Coordinator for DCE, will conduct a DCE grievance workshop. For those who plan on attending for the entire week, Senator Edward Kennedy will be the keynote speaker at the opening sessions on Monday, August 9. If you have any questions, contact your director or MCCC President Tom Parsons.

Bunker Hill:

Increased Responsibilities and Equity Adjustments Bring More Administrative Raises

On June 14, 1993, Bunker Hill President Stykes recommended, and the college trustees approved, another round of administrative raises based on additional responsibilities and equity adjustments with four division chairs (Asst. Deans at Bunker Hill) becoming Deans. The salaries begin with September, 1992 as a base. The six percent which everyone received is added in along with the new increase and the 7.2596 due in July. The July increase is added as it is assumed that these administrators will also receive an average of a 7.25 percent increase.

The following administrators will receive increases for "additional focused responsibilities."

• R. Michael McSweeney, Asst. Dean Academic Division I to Dean of Technology. Salary 9/1/92 $45,000; salary 7/31/93 $57,593, a 28% increase.
• James Ware, Asst. Dean, Academic Division II to Dean of Business and Public Service. Salary 9/1/92 $51,116 to $63,474, a 24% increase.
• Gwendolyn Spencer-Shelton, Asst. Dean, Academic Division III to Dean of Communications. Since she was a faculty member in September, the base salary used was her teaching salary base. When she left the unit, her salary was $25,945. With the additional raises, her salary will be $54,698, a 1119/0 increase.
• Kathryn C. Cauble, Asst. Dean, Academic Division IV to Dean of Health Care Professions. Salary 9/1/92 $48,724; salary 7/31/93 $61,826, a 2796 increase.
• Malinda M. Smutek, Spec. Asst. to President, Gen. Ed to Dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Salary 9/1/92 $42,50Q salary 7/31/93 $54,751, a 299/0 increase.
• Richard G. Wahlgren, Dir. of Physical Plant to Asst. Dean Facilities Management. Salary 9/1/92 $50,596; salary 7/31/93 $62,883, a 249/0 increase.
• Carl Nelson, Dean of Academic Affairs to Dean of Continuing Education and Business Outreach. Salary 9/1/92 $59,500; salary 7/31/93 $67,643, a 13.7% increase.
• Richard O'Connor, Dir. of Security to Dir. of Public Safety. Salary 9/1/92 $36,400; salary 7/31/93 $46,744, a 28% increase.

Four administrators received equity adjustments as a result of a non-unit professional equity study.

• Theresa M. Egan, Dir. of Payroll Operations. Salary 9/1/92 $33,399; salary 7/31/93 $43,333, a 30% increase.
• Miguel Linares, Bursar. Salary 9/1/92 $33,000; salary 7/31/93 $39,661, a 20% increase.
• Holly Abbey, Staff Assoc. Salary 9/1/92 $32,240; salary 7/31/93 $39,869, a 24% increase.
• Nancy Montgomery, Staff Assoc. Salary 9/1/92 $34,190; salary 7/31/93 $41,013, a 20% increase.

Early Retirement Might Pass Yet

The early retirement bill which has passed the House contains the following provisions. According to MTA lobbyists, this early retirement bill has a very good chance of passing the Senate and the Conference Committee. The following is an overview of the bill:

• Add five year of service or five years of age or a combination not to exceed five years.
• Application dates--July 1, to July 31, 1993. These dates may change depending upon when the budget is completed. It would be best to plan to file an application during the period, however, in case of no change. Don't worry about being first in the mail. Names will be chosen in order of credible service.
• Retirement dates are December 31, 1993, for all 12-month employees and administrators; December 31, 1993, or June 30, 1994, for faculty and professional employees. Regardless of actual date of retirement from service, all employees will be deemed to be retired as of December 31, 1993, for retirement benefit purposes.
• It is necessary to make a few changes in this bill, and the MTA and other public employee lobbyists will submit amendments. Everyone interested in early retirement, however, must help by calling their senator to request:
• The cap of 1500 be allowed by removing the restriction that the total cost of the retirements cannot exceed $20 million. If this restriction stays, about 400 employees would be allowed to retire.
• For those employees who retire June 30, 1994, credit for the additional six months and credit for the salary should be applied to retirement benefits. Because the bill makes all retirements effective December 31, 1993, no credit is given either in salary or time for the additional six months. The purpose of the language was to give the colleges (especially the university) enough time to do a national search for the vacant positions.

Equity Settlement Request in Ways And Means

On Friday, June 11, 1993, the Comptrollers Office in Administration and Finance submitted to House and Senate Ways and Means a request for a supplemental appropriation to fund the equity settlement.

After the settlement in December, 1992, an enormous amount of work had to be done prior to the submission to Ways and Means. Since there were approximately 1200 females involved in this settlement, a period of time had to be set aside to find those people who were no longer in the system. Each college then had to submit each person's social security number, each individual's social security had to be hand entered and each individual's settlement amount and address had to be verified. Once submission was made, there could be no changes so the information had to be perfect.

In order to get this funded now, the governor must submit a supplemental budget request to the fiscal 1993 budget. (Numerous requests have been submitted for a supplemental budget.) If the governor refuses to submit a request prior to June 30, 1993 (end of this fiscal year), then the request would be submitted after July 1, 1993, for the next fiscal year.

The MCCC will be meeting with the MTA lobbyists on how best to pursue this funding. Right now the best strategy to get this funding is to have members call their representatives and senators immediately and ask them to have the community college equity settlement monies put into the next supplemental budget.

Salary Increase Due In July Paycheck

All unit members should receive a 7.25% increase in their July paycheck. To make sure you received the correct amount, take the monthly amount of the June paycheck, divide by four (weeks) and multiply by 52. Then take July amount, divide by five (weeks), and multiply by 52. The difference between June and July should be 7.25%. The female professional staff will be unable to calculate this since their two steps from the equity settlement will be in the July check.

Calls Needed For Senate Budget

The Senate will be debating the budget soon. All unit members should have received a mailing from MTA outlining the issues which must be addressed through phone calls. In addition to the early retirement bill, members must convey to their senator:

• Do not increase the health insurance from 90/10 to 85/15. By increasing the insurance cost, our salary increase is immediately diminished;
• Do no put tuition retention in for the community colleges and state colleges;
• Support the higher education budget as proposed by the House with its four percent increase; and
• Increase the number of participants allowed for the early retirement incentive.

Looking for a Job The number of vacancies within the community colleges is expanding, and this information is easily accessible. If you do not have a Hayes compatible modem, someone on your campus will. Vacancies can be read directly from the screen, or they can be downloaded and printed at your terminal. To access 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 are needed. Once on, any questions about bulletin board go to Ron Miller (1-508-653-7244), the SYSop, either through the bulletin board or by calling him. Once on the main menu, select [B]. You can now access Community College Vacancies (HIEDVAC).

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Know Your Contract

June 24	Spring sabbatical proposals due to Dean
June 30	Part-time faculty summary evaluation for third year employees
July 1	Professional staff pre-evaluation conference
July 1	Professional staff work assignment received
July 5	Professional staff vacation days released
July 25	Leave of absence applications due for Spring, 1994
July 25	Spring UPPC sabbatical recommendations due
Aug. 11	Part-time teaching assignments due
Aug. 15	Part-time seniority lists distributed

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.