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"What about accountability to them," asked Donni Xides, a liberal arts student at Mass. Bay Community College and president of the honor society, Phi Theta Kappa. Xides joined over 50 faculty and staff at the Higher Education Coordinating Council (HECC) meeting in Boston on Tuesday, October 17 who for the second month in a row came to appeal to HECC to prevent Governor Weld's Office of Administration and Finance (A&F) from dictating the distribution of the financial package.

Though she was not on the agenda, Xides stood up and asked to be recognized saying she "had something to say." Though her remarks were to HECC, she responded directly to comments by Peter Nessen (former Secretary of Administration and Finance) concerning the gathering of information on accountability and productivity at the colleges. Xides stated, "What you have to do is honor a fair contract and then see how productive the colleges are. The community colleges take students and they are turned into winners by these wonderful professors."

Susan Dole, MCCC Vice President and a counselor from Bunker Hill Community College said, "We, the members of MCCC, are here today to ask that you not relinquish to A&F your authority as our employer.

...We ask that you say 'No' to A&F's efforts to micro-manage higher education. ...We are all committed to providing superior educational opportunities for the citizens of the commonwealth. An important lesson we teach our students is how to empower themselves to take control of their lives. How can we maintain credibility with them if we do not incorporate that lesson into our own lives? I believe that we are all committed to providing superior educational opportunities for the citizens of' the commonwealth. In line with that commitment should come fair and equitable compensation--no less than what we teach our students to strive for."

Ziyada Shakir, academic advisor from Middlesex Community College, said, "I worked in education in Ohio for 15 years where we had a system of advancement which recognized and rewarded longevity of good service. I knew that if I worked hard I could eventually achieve salary equity with those who were hired before me I was astonished to learn that the salary package had absolutely no method for me to move up the career ladder. I ask you to consider me and my colleagues--like you we work hard. Like you, we want to b rewarded when we do. And like you, w want to be treated as individuals and not be treated as an anonymous column in a ledger that's kept on Beacon Hill."

Phil Mahler, a professor of mathematics and computer science and chapter president from Middlesex Community College, said "I'm the oldest of 8 children, and the only one with even a bachelor's degree. I spent 4 years in the U.S. Navy, have written 5 books, and have served as an officer in several mathematics professional organizations. I say all this to let you know that I am used to working for what I have. I don't sit here looking for a handout--just the dignity that Americans believe should reward hard work. I am in my 18th year of teaching at the community colleges. I have had every promotion that it was possible for me to get. In spite of this, I remain at Step 11 on a 28 step scale. I feel my career is being stifled, and the value of my work ignored. I am here respectfully requesting that you reconsider your opposition to performance based salary increments in the community colleges....We are a system that the commonwealth can be proud of. The economic proposal brought to us from A&F through you does not take this into account. It micro-manages a system which by any standard works very well. So I say, please let those who know how best to run the system, run the system. We deliver-- won't you please do the same?"

Ed Sullivan, Executive Director of MTA, reminded HECC members that "Raytheon was given a massive tax break after a three-minute telephone conversation. So, why are these [community college contract] negotiations over the distribution of the money dragging on so long? The size of Raytheon's tax break should have been the result of serious negotiations; yet, the community college negotiations have been going on for two and one-half years and they are not about the amount of money--just the distribution."

Debby Rosenthal, a professor of English at Massasoit Community College, said, "I have been teaching at Massasoit Community College since 1988, and if it were not for an equity settlement that moved me to step 3, I would still be on step 1 of the salary schedule. I have been promoted to professor but have not moved on the salary schedule. Across the board percent increases do not help those of us fettered to the bottom of the salary schedule. My salary is virtually the same as newly hired professors and lower than some hired after me. This scale is unconscionable. I have seven years experience teaching in Brockton and eight years at Massasoit and excellent credentials. I learned yesterday that I could earn more in the capacity of counter help and cook at Papa Gino's than I presently earn as professor in the community college system. This is a travesty."

On the third Tuesday of each month HECC holds its meetings, and the MCCC plans to attend and speak at each one until the contract is settled. Members should try to make arrangements to attend at least one meeting and to lend their support to this effort.

Coverage Across the State

In order to give everyone a perspective on the amount of coverage colleges are getting concerning our contracts, articles which have appeared over the past five weeks are listed below. The amount of coverage varies from area to area as well as how interested the local newspapers are in the issues at the college.

Newspapers:

Sept. 21	Boston Globe
Sept. 26	Brockton Enterprise
Sept. 26	Cape Cod Times
Oct. 3	The Daily News, Newburyport
Oct. 10	Berkshire Eagle
Oct. 12	The Daily News, Newburyport
Oct. 12	Berkshire Eagle Editorial
Oct. 15	Lowell Sun
Oct. 17	Union News, Springfield
Oct. 17	The Daily News, Newburyport
Oct. 19	Boston Globe
Oct. 19	The Wellesley Townsman
Oct. 24	The Eagle-Tribune, Haverhill
Oct. 24	The Daily News, Newburyport
Oct. 25	Standard Times, New Bedford
Oct. 26	Fall River Herald News, front page
Oct. 26	Cape Cod Times
Oct. 26	Union News, Springfield

In addition to all 15 chapters being on work to rule, other activities are being held across the state and are receiving excellent print and TV coverage.

Bristol Community College had a demonstration between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. outside the Hudnall Administration Building on October 25. Media coverage was excellent with the Herald News running a front-page story with a huge color photo.

Cape Cod had a demonstration on October 25 from 10 a.m. to noon at the entrance to the college. They not only received good newspaper coverage, but the local cable station and at least five radio stations carried the story. The chapter has also erected a sign near the college's entrance with the number of days faculty and professional staff have gone without a contract.

Holyoke Community College had a Higher Education Rally on October 25 concerning federal budget cuts. Phyllis Barrett, chapter president spoke about what work to rule means and why the faculty and staff were doing it. The rally received TV and newspaper coverage. The student newspaper will run the full text of Barrett's speech along with an interview.

Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) kicked off "work to rule" on October 16 with a special meeting. The chapter adopted a black and white theme to represent the "mixed messages" given to faculty and staff by the college presidents concerning the day and DCE contracts and the faculty and professional staffs worth to the college communities. The black and white theme was carried through the balloons, the coffin, and the table cloths. The kick-off received both TV and print media coverage.

The students have begun a campaign and a student outreach committee has been formed. The Student Business Club originated an idea for black and white ribbons and are in the process of making and distributing these ribbons to students, faculty, and staff.

In addition, unit members were requested to turn their mid-term grades into representatives of the STCC Professional Association on Friday, October 27, rather than to the Registrar's Office. It was a highly successful demonstration of the faculty and staffs' anger and disappoint over the lack of contracts for the day and DCE unit members.

Excerpts from Barrett's speech. "...So...like the students who are facing escalating tuition and fees and dwindling financial aid, we educators find ourselves in a very rickety boat, battling our way upstream against a hostile political tide. :...It's not going to be enough to get our hands wet bailing. And it's not going to be enough to sit on our hands - as the governor and some of the college presidents expect us to do. We're going to have to get our hands dirty; we are going to have to engage in political action. Educators don't tend to like to get involved in the 'dirty' business of politics. When union leaders ask their members to make phone calls to legislators, to write to the governor, to carry a sign on an informational picket line, there are few volunteers. I guess it's because educators think of themselves as professionals, people who stay above the ugly fray of politics. The irony is that Governor Weld does not think of educators as professionals. He thinks of them, with contempt, just as some of those guys in Washington, D.C. think of college students with contempt. And, because we've all been pretty polite in recent years, the governor and those other guys are counting on us to sit still and let our boat sink. Let's surprise them. Let's not go down together. Let's rise together. Let's sign the petitions, fill out the postcards, write the letters, and make the calls. And fellow faculty and professional staff members, let's really work to rule. In fact, let's all make some waves! Let's let the folks in Boston and the folks in Washington D.C. know that we're not going to go down with the ship this time!"

DCE Mediation

The latest offer to come from the presidents, and to everyone's surprise, during mediation, proposes a six-year contract. A mediation session was scheduled for November 2, so these proposals may be out of date. The present offer from each side is as follows:

The presidents' proposal, with no additional language changes, comes to 15% over six years. Unacceptable! A detailed update in being mailed to all members.

Early Retirement Bill
Two Votes Away

That is all it will take for higher education to have an early retirement bill--TWO VOTES--one in the House and one in the Senate.

But if the bill does not get to the House floor, then no votes can be taken.

This is a short-term activity we must participate in over the next 10 days. The formal session of the legislature ends on November 15. If this bill is not on the floor for an override before the 15th, then we have to start all over again.

Each unit member has received a card asking that they call their legislators. Each campus is being asked to designate one person responsible for coordinating this campaign over the next two weeks. The single focus is to get calls to representatives and committee chairs asking them to get the early retirement on the House floor for a vote. Once the members have a response, they are to call the information in to the MTA Hot Line and leave the legislators name and their response. The MTA lobbyists will then know who to target for support. The MTA is also running phone banks to generate calls to legislators. MTA Hotline 1-800-277-8170.

MCCC Largest Higher Education Local

For the third year, the MCCC was the largest higher education delegation to attend the NEA Representative Assembly (RA) in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The twenty-nine delegates approved a new business item that allows the NEA and the AFT to resume merger discussions and removes certain restrictions which had bogged down previous discussions. This year the NEA wanted to focus on collaborative education, and as a result, a record low number of new business items (59) were brought to the floor. The NEA will spend this year on a singular focus--preservation of public education.

Left to Right, first row. Joe Murphy, BRCC; Mary Bouchard; BRCC; Charles Chisholm, BHCC; Pam Donahue, NECC; Millie Wigon, BHCC; Gerri Curley, BHCC; Carol Giaquinto, STCC; Michael Tenerowicz, STCC; Second row: Dan Fitzgerald, HCC; John Jacobs, MBCC; Roberta Passenant; BKCC, Tom Parsons, MBCC; Roberta Albano, STCC; Barbara Spence, QCC; Sandra King, STCC; Sharon Lamoureux, QCC; Third row: Susan Dole, BHCC; Jan Nettler, HCC; Alan Peck, STCC; Bill Ianelli, BHCC; Cindy Parentella, HCC; Bob Gillies, QCC; Greg Gillis, BHCC; Fourth row. Cathy Boudreau, MACC; Jim Rice, QCC; Abe Sherf; NSCC; Dennis Fitzgerald, MACC; Ruth Westwater, BHCC; Missing Ernest Therrien, STCC.

NEA's Strategic Focus NEA will focus the energy and resources of its 2.2 million members toward the restoration of public confidence in public schools.

Oct. 22	Leave of absence decisions for Spring
Oct. 22	Spring sabbaticals awarded
Oct. 30	Preferred schedules and courses submitted
Oct. 31	Sick leave bank period closed
Nov. 21	Unit Personnel Practices Committee elected

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.

MCCC Newsletter Editor: Catherine A. Boudreau MCCC/MTA Newsletter 20 Ashburton Place Boston, MA 02108

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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