MCCC Dues Rates and Benefit Information for DCE Unit Members July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009

• Any person teaching credit bearing courses for a community college Division of Continuing Education is a member of the MCCC/DCE bargaining unit (union), as recognized in 1990 by the state Labor Relations Commission. This bargaining unit is affiliated with the Massachusetts Teachers Association, and the National Education Association.
• By mutal agreement between the colleges and the union, all such persons must pay a fee to the union, if they do not wish to join the union. This fee pays for the shared costs associated with bargaining and contract maintenance, including processing of grievances.
• Persons who elect to join the union pay union dues instead of the fee. This is more expensive but you get more benefits with membership.
• Both dues and fees depend upon your earnings in an academic year. The magic number is $6,000.
• The rest of this page defines certain terms and presents the dues and fees rates, and the benefits of being a unit member, and of joining the union.

• DEFINITIONS
• DUES RATES
• BENEFITS OF UNIT MEMBER STATUS
• BENEFITS OF UNION MEMBER STATUS

DEFINITIONS

Bargaining Unit: A legal entity established by the Massachusetts Labor Relations Commission based upon a vote of the employees, and the type of work they do. The Massachusetts Community College Council (MCCC) is the legal representative of two Bargaining Units: the Day Unit, and the Division of Continuing Education (DCE) Unit. You can be a member of both if you are employed in positions covered by these units.

Unit member: An employee who is part of a Bargaining Unit. You are a unit member by virtue of the professional position you hold. Unit members pay unit member fees.

Union member: A unit member who chooses to join the MCCC. Union members pay union dues.

Membership Year: July 1 - June 30 (same as academic year)

 

DUES RATES

• Unit Members pay a unit member (agency) fee to the NEA, MTA, and MCCC. Unit Members who join the MCCC (union) pay member dues instead of fees.
• The membership year is the academic year, July 1 through June 30.
• Dues and fee policies are set by NEA, MTA and MCCC Bylaws. Dues rates based on these policies are set by each organization at their annual meetings.
  
  • DCE unit members pay at the rates shown below, roughly 30% of the full-time amount, per semester. However, once paid, you do not pay in succeeding semesters in the same academic year unless your earnings increase.
  • DCE members who teach less than 3 credits in the membership year pay a lower dues rate, about 15% of the full time rate.

BENEFITS

What are the Benefits of Being a Unit Member?

As a unit member you are entitled to certain rights, which are specified in the union contract. You can obtain a copy of the contract from your campus Chapter President or Treasurer, or the MCCC Office, or on line (details elsewhere - for now this page is to supplement paying dues and fees).

Unit Member Benefits

• You have all rights under collective bargaining, which are related primarily to salary and reappointment, as shown in the contract language.
• You are eligible to vote on new contracts.
• You will receive the MCCC Newsletter.

Some history: In terms of pay, when part-time professionals became part of the union in 1997, the minimum hourly rate was established at $15 per hour, which for most individuals increased their salary from $3 to $5 per hour. Since then these professionals have received regular salary increases through union contract negotiations and the current minimum is $20.33 per hour.
 

What are the Benefits of Being a Union Member?

If you choose to join us in the union (almost 100% of your full-time colleagues are union members) you get these benefits:

• You have all rights under collective bargaining, which are related primarily to salary and reappointment, as shown in the contract language.
• You are eligible to vote on new contracts.
• You will receive the MCCC Newsletter.
  

• You are eligible to vote in union elections.
• You are eligible to hold union office.
• You are eligible to attend chapter and statewide union meetings.
• You are eligible to represent your chapter at the MCCC Delegate Assembly, the MTA Annual Meeting, and the NEA Annual Meeting.
• You are covered by NEA Professional Liability Insurance up to $1,000,000.
• You are eligible to receive Legal Assistance if needed in relationship to your employment, including legal representation at Unemployment Benefit hearings.
• MTA Discount/Benefits Program (see www.MTABenefits.com or call 800 392 6175) provides discounts in insurance, and benefits related to finances, income protection, wellness, travel and entertainment. Many members save more than their dues cost by using MTA Benefits services.
• Your MTA Membership Card gets significant reductions at dozens of museums, theater, sports venues and other recreation opportunities through out Massachusetts (see www.MTABenefits.com or call 800 392 6175).
  
  
• You are a member of a professional organization dedicated to high quality education in our two-year colleges and to dignity in the workplace - you have taken a stand!

 FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I teach in DCE and I started in the spring semester. Why do I have to pay the full annual dues?

A: Yes. The same situation applies to someone who teaches in the fall semester, but not in the spring semester. DCE dues are best viewed as being on a semester basis. A unit member pays the semester rate in the first semester they teach in a membership year. However, once paid, employment for a second semester in that membership year does not require paying again.

DCE dues are already greatly reduced compared to full-time dues. The NEA, MTA and MCCC set dues collection policies in their Bylaws. These policies dictate the amount of dues collected. The MCCC MUST send in full dues to the MTA and the NEA (which make up most of your dues) per their bylaws.

The MCCC Office

Philip Mahler, Treasurer, Professor of Mathematics, Middlesex CC

Philip Kennedy, Operations Manager

Edy Stoddard, Member Services

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