Renewing Our Commitments Our union needs to recapture the energy, the spirit, and the commitment that enabled the labor movement to play a key role in shaping our country; in giving dignity and respect to workers through advancing working conditions, wages, and benefits; and bringing a better quality of life to families. Our work is education. Most of us entered community college teaching and academic support because we are passionate about the mission of improving lives through … [Read more...]
President’s Column May 2017
Without Due Process… At the MCCC delegate assembly this past weekend, delegates – based on false, unsubstantiated allegations and without any prior notice or due process – voted ‘no confidence’ in me and vice president Jeff Seideman. While this may come as a shock to the rank and file member, it was, unfortunately, not surprising to me. Given how little opportunity members have had to hear from me and how distorted the reports of my words and actions have been, it’s no great surprise that the … [Read more...]
President’s Column April 2017
MCCC DELEGATE ASSEMBLY The MCCC Delegate Assembly is the most democratic body in the MCCC, and it’s also the most powerful. It’s easy to be elected, and it makes a difference The statewide elected officers, Board of Directors, and Chapter Presidents matter in carrying out the day-to-day work of the Union, but the decisions of the Delegate Assembly are the highest authority. As our Bylaws say “All legislative responsibilities of the Council shall be vested in the Delegate Assembly, and its … [Read more...]
President’s Column March 2017
Why MTA Matters For many MCCC members, “the union” means the local MCCC chapter (15 community colleges) and maybe even the statewide MCCC Board of Directors (21 voting members). The MCCC has over 7,000 members that include full-time, part-time, and adjunct faculty and professional staff. But “the union” is also the state organization, the 116,000 member Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA) and the 50-state National Education Association (NEA). “The union” is us, the members. The members … [Read more...]
President’s Column Feb 2017
It has been almost seven months since I began my two-year term as your elected statewide MCCC President. During these seven months, I have learned a great deal about our statewide union that I didn’t know or appreciate as a member. YOU are the union. If the Union is to work for YOU, you must know how the union works so you can be a knowledgeable voter and participant. Directors are the most important positions in our Union. The management of the MCCC union is the responsibility of the … [Read more...]