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Volume XI |
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Number Eight |
In This Issue:
Early Retirement Still a Possibility
On Wednesday, March 8, 1994, the Public Service Committee held its first hearing, and the first bill heard was an early retirement bill for higher education employees. There were many who testified in favor and no one spoke against. MTA lobbyist Jack Flanagan testified first and requested that the writers of the bill put realistic retirement dates in the bill when it comes out. The two bills which made it to the governor's desk, albeit to die, had dates which had already passed. If the governor had signed or the legislature had overridden his veto, corrective legislation would have to have been passed to amend dates resulting in a further delay.
At the end of the hearing on this bill, Byron Rushing (D-Boston), the new Public Service Chair, urged the audience to call the governor and the university president, not the representatives who have passed an early retirement bill repeatedly. "Your problem is not with the representatives." Subsequently, the MTA learned U.Mass. President Michael Hooker has sent a letter supporting an early retirement bill.
Though no bill was voted out of the Committee on Wednesday, we were informed that within the next few weeks, a bill will be crafted. The house and senate leadership, along with the governor (Administration and Finance), college and university presidents, and the unions will work to come up with an early retirement bill which will be acceptable to all parties. No easy task!
Though it is not necessary to begin making phone calls as yet, it would be helpful to ask the college presidents to write letters to the legislative leadership and the governor supporting an early retirement bill. The MTA is working with the legislative leadership, the Secretary of Education, the Higher Education Coordinating Council (HECC), and DCE unit member Representative Phil Travis (D-Rehoboth) to get an early retirement bill this year. All colleges have forwarded their campus estimates of the number of retirees and the cost to the college to HECC.
The MCCC will be monitoring this very closely, as usual, and will be notifying the chapters as to any action which will be required in order to move this item.
DCE Team Begins Negotiations
The MCCC/DCE Bargaining Team reached agreement with the employer's team to exchange complete bargaining proposals on February 1, 1994. While the Union did provide the employer with a complete demand package, the employer has not, to date, provided the Union with a salary proposal.
Unlike the day division, the DCE unit does not depend upon legislative action for its budgeting appropriations. Mass. General Laws Chapter 15A requires that Division of Continuing Education programs be self-supporting. Therefore. approval of all negotiated economic items is within the authority of the college presidents.
Since the exchange of proposals, the parties have met once. The DCE team is requesting future bargaining sessions be conducted at a time when our members are able to meet. The DCE team of six has two members who are employed full time by outside employers. As a result, bargaining sessions must be conducted on non teaching evenings or on weekends. The employer's bargaining team, while initially unresponsive to the needs of DCE faculty, are, at the time of this writing, indicating a possible willingness to accommodate the normal working hours of DCE bargaining team members.
Once the DCE team is able to secure a complete proposal (including salary) and a reasonable bargaining session schedule, the MCCC fully expects negotiations to progress quickly.
Hold Those Ballots
All full-time, part-time, and DCE unit members will be receiving two separate ballots in the mail within the next two weeks. Do Not Throw Away.
Ballot from MCCC. This ballot will be for election of MCCC officers and delegates to MTA and NEA Annual meetings. The MCCC is allocated over 80 seats to the MTA Annual Meeting. Because we do not have our full complement running on the ballot, anyone interested in attending the meeting (May 6 & 7) should contact MCCC President Tom Parsons immediately (617-235- 3606) so that his or her name can be added. MCCC funds mileage, meals and hotel room (for those who live more than 25 miles from Boston).
Ballot from MTA. On this ballot, all unit members will be voting for Region H (Higher Education) delegates to the NEA Representative Assembly and an NEA Director. There are a number of community college unit members running state- wide on this ballot. For each community college member who wins on this ballot, an additional person from the MCCC can attend. Also, there are three candidates for NEA Director, and you will be voting for one. Candidates are: Josephine Bernard, Kerry Costello, and Patricia Siddall.
Last Sex Equity Check On the Way
When the first mailing of checks were received, it was discovered that some colleges had listed people as retired when in fact they were employed in nonunit jobs and people who were retired were listed as still employed. Since this had to be clarified before the final checks were cut and released, Attorney Bette Gittes's office had to review all the recipients' status. That list is not complete, and it has been sent to the Comptroller's Office for processing. Checks should be received during the first two weeks of April.
MCCC Elections
Tom Parsons
Candidate for PresidentAs I seek your support for a second, two-year term as MCCC President, there are two questions that must be addressed.
1. How did the initiatives of the last two years compare with the promises made in the last election campaign?
You were promised a proactive union program based on communication, political action, and training.
Chapters received the latest information on all issues. This communication was re-enforce by chapter visits and statewide chapter leadership meetings. Well defined political action campaigns were implemented relative to the unfunded salary increase (CPR), the unfunded promotions (ACUP), the health coverage contribution, the general legislative elections, the early retirement incentive, and the sex equity settiement monies. Training workshops are now available for contract maintenance and sexual harassment.
2. What initiatives should the MCCC pursue over the next two years?
The MCCC must continue our metamorphosis towards a more effective representative of the membership. While maintaining the new level of communications, we must continue the progression of political action supported by a further expansion of training. Our objectives must include pressure on the college presidents to bring contract negotiations to a fair and rapid conclusion.
Political action will be needed to pass an early retirement incentive, protect benefits, and obtain a fair salary increase which is fully funded.
As MCCC President, I will continue my tradition of hard work, integrity, and dedicated service to the membership. I would appreciate your vote of support on the March mail ballot.
Susan Dole
Candidate for Vice PresidentTwo years ago, you elected four officers to serve the MCCC giving them a mandate for CHANGE, and translated it operationally. We provided the leadership, fundamental to achieving the goals Tom articulated during the campaign. We made things happen: funding of the contract; funding the sex equity settlement; increasing membership participation.
Thank YOU for accomplishing what at times seemed to be mission impossible. The key was that we, the Executive Committee and the Board, developed a multi-faceted strategy; relied on Chapter Leaders who clearly understood the objectives; and trusted that you would provide the energy and support essential to the fulfillment of the plan.
Currently, the MCCC faces many challenges and opportunities that will have ramifications into the TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY.
Whether we are members of the Day or DCE unit, as we engage in the pursuit of excellence in our professional lives, we have the right to fair and equitable wages, safe working conditions and secure terms of employment. These influences are the basic tenets of union philosophy and remain firm. We will continue to advance our agenda while assisting the Community College Presidents in positioning the system to shape and fulfill the educational requirements of the 'new era. I am proud that you have allowed me to represent YOU as VICE PRESIDENT of this dynamic organization for another term.
I appreciate your continued support.
Roger Dufresne
Candidate for TreasurerI am seeking election to another term as your Treasurer and I would appreciate your vote in the upcoming election. This year I have the benefit of seeking election without opposition. Nevertheless, I do not want to take the election or your vote for granted. The fact that I am running unopposed is a indication that you believe I am doing a good job for you and for the Association.
For the past two years, I have been involved in the definition and enaction of policy that has affected our membership, higher education and education in general. Not only have I been involved with policy, but, under my guidance the MCCC has by far the most sophisticated and automated accounting system in Massachusetts education.
In the past two years, the DCE has steadily grown and now our database accounts for over 7,300 names. Control over dues assessment and collection rests within the offices of the Secretary and the Treasurer.
In addition, during my tenure as Treasurer, services to the membership have risen with no increase in dues at the MCCC level. In fact, this year the Finance Committee and I have proposed a modest decrease in dues coupled with more increases in service to the membership. With these facts in mind, please consider a vote for me as your Treasurer when you complete your ballot.
Christina L. Coolidge
Candidate for SecretaryI am eager to serve the entire membership, both faculty and professional staff, as the secretary for the statewide organization. In the future MCCC and the community colleges will face enormous challenges. I hope to use my experience as a chapter president and my professional training and experience as a Librarian to meet these challenges.
During my eight years at Mount Wachusett Community College I have accomplished the following: I have been an active member of the Mount Wachusett Community College Faculty and Professional Staff Association for the past eight years and have served as President for the last two.
I organized and spearheaded the Mount's participation in the 13.7% pay raise and unfunded promotions campaigns.
I am currently the only representative from all of higher education on the MTA Governmental Relations Council. I worked constantly on the sex equity campaign and am a named plaintiff in the underlying lawsuit. I have worked and will continue to work on early retirement opportunities. I have worked on the statewide and legislative political campaigns of pro-education candidates. I have been an active participant in the MTA Summer Leadership Conference.
I would greatly appreciate you support for the office of MCCC Secretary.
Nota Bene
Higher Education Caucus. The caucus provides higher education members an opportunity to meet and review the agenda for the MTA Annual Meeting and to hear candidates running for MTA vice president or NEA director. The meeting is scheduled for Saturday, April 16, 1994, at Worcester State College at p.m. All unit members will be receiving a notice in the mail.
Looking for a Job
The vacancies within the community colleges are easily accessible on the MTA Bulletin Board System (BBS). You can read, download, and/or print these vacancies at your terminal. If you do not have access to a modem, a printout can be faxed to you. Fax your request to the Communications Coordinator at 617- 236-0448. You must include the name of the college(s) where you work.
to access the BBS from within Massachusetts dial 1-800-523- 8883. (enter your baud, 8 data bits; 1 stop; NONE parity). Enter your name and password. Sequence: Check for New File (N); LWBulletin-Q(uit) and enter. F(ile); 6 (Vacancies in community colleges); (F)files in this area; (V)iew and type in full number on last entry e.g. 11-01-94. Specific questions about the bulletin board go to the systems operator (SYSop) Ron Miller, preferably through the BBS. Questions about a particular aspect of a job go to the individual colleges.
DET and Review Board Rules for DCE
Represented by the MTA, a DCE faculty member from Bristol Community College has prevailed on obtaining unemployment benefits for the summer of 1993. Like many other similar cases, the unit member had a tentative assignment for the fall and was unemployed between semesters. She was denied benefits, but appealed the decision. She was, however, partially successful by winning compensation through the first half of the summer. The hearing officer, however, found that although reasonable assurance of future employment did not exist initially, reasonable assurance did exist once the course appeared to be adequately enrolled. Also the college issued what was labeled a contract toward the end of July which can be construed as reasonable assurance of employment.
On appeal the case went to the Board of Review in the Department of Employment and Training (DET). The decision for the claimant was based on the fact that the course in question was a day class where factors other than enrollment can affect this person's employment, e.g. cancellation of a full-time faculty's course. In addition, what was stated to be the contract was, in fact, a N.B. Dates vary depending on first day of classes. Also, most of these dates are "last date" tentative assignment. A contract is I standards. In many instances, the action can be accomplished before the date indicated. something that is more absolute in nature where the tentative assignment had intrinsic qualifiers that made it less than a contract at that time.
It is important to note that although this case is another in a line of successful appeals concerning unemployment benefits for DCE faculty, each case is reviewed on an individual basis. Unemployment regulations for teachers in general set forth different and somewhat blurred criteria as compared to rule for nonteaching claimants. The MCCC has published a brochure which outlines the criteria and the process for frling a claim. These brochures are available from the unit's members chapter leadership. In order to receive MCCC and MTA representative, however, the faculty members must be a union members, not an agency fee payer.
If you have any questions, contact MCCC DCE Grievance Officer Joe Rizzo.
Nota Bene
MCCC Annual Meeting is scheduled for Saturday, April 23, 1994, at Mount Wachusett Community College. Anyone who is attending and is interested in day care facilities must contact MCCC President Tom Parsons by April 1, 1994.
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Mar. 29 |
Part-time student evaluation packets distributed |
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Mar. 30 |
Department Chair evaluations |
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Mar. 30 |
Preferred schedule and courses submitted by faculty |
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Mar. 31 |
Department Chair vacancies announced |
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Apr. 6 |
Fall sabbatical recommendations from President |
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Apr. 7 |
Dean's Fall, 1994 leave of absence recommendations |
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Apr. 15 |
Dean's Tenure Recommendations |
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Apr. 15 |
Title Changes Announced |
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Catherine A. Boudreau MCCC/MTA Newsletter |
The MCCC Newsletter is a publication of the Massachusetts Community College Council. The Newsletter is intended to be an information source for the members of the MCCC and for other interested parties. The material in this publication may be reprinted with the acknowledgment of its source. For further information on issues discussed in this publication, contact Catherine Boudreau, Massasoit Community College, Brockton, MA 02402. |
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