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Volume XI |
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Number Nine |
In This Issue:
Coolidge Receives Butler Award
The Tenth Annual Jon Butler Memorial Award for outstanding chapter president will be awarded to Christina Coolidge at the MCCC Delegate Assembly on April 23, 1994. The MCCC established this award in the fall of 1984 to honor the memory of Jon Butler, a former chapter president from No. Shore Community College and the former MCCC Research Coordinator. He was a vocal and an active proponent of unit members' rights.
While working as a librarian at the State Library in the State House, Chris and her husband decided to move to Central Massachusetts. She responded to an ad in the Boston Globe and in February, 1986 began working at Mt. Wachusett Community College as a librarian. She made her way to Massachusetts after receiving a B.A. from the University of California Berkeley and an M.L.S. from the University of Arizona. Once back, she received a Law Certificate from the University of Massachusetts in Boston.
After working at Mount Wachusett for a year, Chris became active in the chapter union. She served on the Executive Committee for five years, was vice president for one year, and in 1992 she was elected chapter president.
"I wanted to become involved in the union because I saw the value of working collectively for our professional rights and working conditions. I also felt that the professional staff should get involved to have a stronger voice. The union serves as a bit of a counterweight against the ongoing attacks directed at all levels of public education. We must work together to prevent these forces from turning the clock back 20 years when we had no right to bargain."
Chris began to attend the MCCC Delegate Assemblies and the MTA Annual Meetings. "I saw the importance of the union's continuing need to educate the members not just about their contractual rights and what the union has gained for them, but about the importance of political activity and involvement in local and state elections." Chris, her husband John, and at times her three children, have been actively involved in several political activities on a local and state level. She and MCCC Director Jack Hughes coordinated candidate forums on the campus and activated the membership toward more political involvement. Besides working on the CPR campaign to get our contract funded and the ACUP campaign for the unfunded promotions, she worked tirelessly to get the sex equity settlement funded. She prepared the unit papers for the pay equity grievance, and she continues to work on the early retirement legislation.
Access To Legislators Helped
At the state level, Chris has worked for candidates who she believes would represent the college and public higher education. Because of her political activity, she has helped the MCCC with her access to legislators whom she has supported. This access was very important in the contract and sex equity funding campaigns. Also, she is the only higher education person on the MTA Governmental Relations Council, and she has given workshops on political organizing and human rights.
Jack Hughes describes Chris's impact as chapter president as "extremely successful. She brought us together through a very difficult period, and she has activated the campus in a way that it has not been for many years. Simultaneously, she also handled many delicate issues within the college very diplomatically. She will be extremely missed in this leadership, but we all know she will serve us well at the statewide level."
Thinking about her new role within the union, Chris states, "The MCCC and the 15 chapters have managed some very good campaigns often in very hostile environments. MTA is becoming more responsive to higher education, and this will help us to become stronger. There is no question in my mind that we are better served under the umbrella of a large organization. Nevertheless, it is up to each of us to make sure that our needs are addressed at the statewide level.
"I have been very lucky being able to work within the union and to have strong support from my family. My husband John believes as strongly as I that to have a say about our lives, we must be involved. Even my children come and hold signs with us. I believe this award is as much my husband's and my children's as it is mine because they encourage my involvement and share my commitment."
Further Order from Judge on Furloughs
On March 23, 1994, Judge Hiller Zobel, Associate Justice of the Superior Court, issued a revised Memorandum and Order concerning his furlough decision in Massachusetts Community College Council, Et Al., Plaintiffs v. William Weld, Et. Al., Defendants.
"Because I determined that furlough program to have been unconstitutional ad initio, the reasonableness of the original executive decision becomes irrelevant to the resolution of the issues before this Court. Put another way, it makes no difference for present purposes whether the revenue estimates were right or wrong, justified or unjustified."
Judge Zobel, therefore, ordered that because the basis of his original ruling was the existence of valid collective bargaining contracts, the question of compensation adjustment needs to be resolved. He ordered that the furlough program violated our contract, the Massachusetts Constitution, and the U.S. Constitution.
He further ordered that within 30 days (around April 23) the employer must provide the MTA with information regarding each employee furloughed and each employee repaid (This is an enormous task). If there is no agreement between the parties concerning resolution within 45 days (approximately May 8), all issues pertaining to a monetary remedy will be referred to arbitration with the Superior Court retaining jurisdiction.
The employer has 60 days to file an appeal. If the governor appeals, the Commonwealth will probably stay the order to provide information. To date, no appeal has been filed, but it is "rumored that the governor is putting pressure on the Attorney General's office to do so.
Congratulations to the MTA attorneys who went back to court with several "submissions" which resulted in this further order.
MCCC Membership Can Donate To VOTE
Voice of Teachers for Education is the political action arm of the MTA. The VOTE Board, of which there are now four higher education members, oversees the fundraising activities for this PAC and the candidate endorsement process.
With the agreement of the presidents through the Joint Study Committee, the MCCC membership now can donate to VOTE through payroll deductions. At its last meeting, the MCCC Board voted to allocate $400 per campus to conduct an offsite meeting. MTA staff will attend to talk about the political endorsement process and how VOTE works. Though there are philosophical differences concerning PAC's and this kind of activity, the fact remains that they exist, are legal, and impact who is elected to the legislature. If we hope to have any impact on the legislature, we must become involved in the political campaigns of those individuals who support public education. The result of last year's political action activities changed the makeup of the Senate, and higher education members were directly responsible for those victories. What do candidates most need and most remember? Contributions and workers. Come to your chapter meeting to find out how you can help. The legislature is our school committee, and we must work actively with it in order for us to get their support.
Equity Checks
As of the week of April 18, 13 campuses should have received their final equity checks. Quinsigamond and Roxbury should receive theirs by the end of the month if they have sent the necessary information to the Comptroller's Office. If anyone has any questions, please contact your chapter president or MCCC President Tom Parsons 617-235-3606.
Early Retirement There is no word about when an early retirement bid will be coming out. In anticipation of a bill being released soon, the higher education locals will be putting together a political action campaign to focus on getting an early retirement bill passed. Each campus will be receiving the information within the next three weeks. Just like we had each campus working on the unfunded promotions, we need everyone to work together to get an early retirement bill through the legislature.
MCCC Delegate Assembly Sat., April 23
The MCCC will hold its annual meeting of delegates at Mt. Wachusett Community College Saturday, April 23, 1994. Registration is from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and the meeting begins at 10 a.m.
The focus on this year's meeting, in addition to the officers and coordinators reports and the budget, will be the public relations and political action activities for the upcoming year. These activities will center on getting a contract settled and funded and getting members involved in the political process.
Edward Sullivan, MTA Executive Director will be the luncheon speaker.
DCE Team Files Bad Faith Bargaining Charges
The MCCC DCE Bargaining Team filed charges against the Council of Presidents for failure to bargain in good faith. The employer's team is refusing to meet with DCE representatives during nonteaching hours.
While initially responsive to the DCE Team's request to schedule classes on every evening except Tuesday. The employer has now refused to meet on that one available evening.
In addition, the employer representatives lack the authority to schedule future sessions without consulting with the Council of President's' subcommittee for negotiations. Consequently, the MCCC filed a charge with the Massachusetts Labor Relations Commission.
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.
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The list is down to seven women who have unclaimed monies from the equity settlement. If you know of any one of these women' s whereabouts, please contact MCCC President Tom Parsons immediately. Berkshire Cape Cod North Shore Roxbury |
Account Summary and Dues Recommendation
Major Account Increase
01 Stipend adjustments were recommended by the Personnel Committee and each officer and coordinator was integrated into that schedule. Once integrated, a cost of living increase of approximately 2.8% was recommended for officers and coordinators. Research and legislative activities will be paid for on an "as assigned" basis. The vice president has assumed the political action activities.
02 Secretarial services increase due to membership.
03 This increase is due to additional sections of released time for the chapters.
27 The increased communications with membership and the printing of the interdisciplinary journal account for this increase.
71 The MCCC will remit $17 per unit member to each chapter. Each chapter must spend at least $8.50 for stipends for officers and/or coordinators.
73 This increase is designated to provide a stipend to each chapter for political action coordination and chapter newsletter publication.
Revenue Projections
It is estimated that full-time membership will total 2020. DCE membership is estimated at 3800. which translates to the full-time equivalent of 1267 (3800 x .3) members.
Revenue
$ 120 x 2020 (full-time)
= $242,400
3800 x $36
= 136,800
$379,200
MTA Local Support
$1,800
MTA Research Grant
12,500
MTA Extraordinary Expense Grant
20,000
Interest Income
60,000
Miscellaneous Income
2,000
Total Revenue
$525,500
The MCCC Budget Committee and Board of Directors are recommending a dues decrease for full-time and DCE unit members in the Fiscal, 1995 budget. Increased interest income, MTA support, membership, and a strong stabilization account will provide the MCCC with the ability to absorb increased expenses, stipend adjustments, and inflationary adjustments. The recommended dues for next year are $120 for full-time unit members and B6 for DCE members who teach three credits or more (Last year's dues were $123 for full-time and $36 for DCE.).
Account
FY '94 Adopted
Pers. Comm. Rec.*
FY '95 Board Rec.
Increase (Decrease)
01
Stipends*
75,790
$17,600
83,200
$7,410
President
17,600
9,680
18,100
500
Vice President
9,100
13,200
9,950
850
Treasurer
11,800
7,040
13,500
1,750
Secretary
7,040
14,080
7,250
210
Grievance Coordinator**
14,290
9,680
14,500
210
Communications Coordinator**
8,480
9,680
9,950
1,470
DCE Coordinator**
7,480
9,950
2,470
02
Secretarial Service
55,150
68,300
13,150
03
Released Time
44,400
102,400
58,000
11
Executive Committee
9,525
11,400
1,875
12
Board of Director
9,000
9,000
-0-
13
Committee Travel
2,000
2,270
270
14
Conferences and Convention
50,364
52,100
1,736
15
Coordinator Travel
1,500
8,600
7,100
18
Professional Development
2,000
4,000
2,000
22
Telephone
24,450
27,600
3,150
24
Postage
17,325
22,420
5,095
25
Equipment
9,000
7,800
(1,200)
26
Office Supplies
8,225
16,600
8,375
27
Printing
35,610
54,700
19,090
28
Paper
450
1,000
550
29
Bank Service Charge
600
600
-0-
31
Membership
1,300
1,600
300
44
Payroll Taxes
8,300
9,320
1,020
45
Insurance
870
850
(20)
51
Professional Fees
10,000
10,000
-0-
53
Donations
1,000
1,000
-0-
54
Negotiations
31,000
30,000
(1,000)
55
Arbitrations
25,550
21,000
(4,550)
56
DCE Arbitrations
11,150
7,350
(3,800)
57
Penalties and Fees
100
100
-0-
59
Miscellaneous Expenses
500
500
-0-
71
Payments to Chapters
35,500
51,000
15,500
73
Chapter Local Support
13,400
45,000
31,600
*The Personnel Committee has recommended and the Board has voted to recommend to the Delegate Assembly a stipend structure for officers and coordinators based on a percentage of the president's stipend. The ratio is: president 100%, vice president 55%, treasurer 75%, secretary 40%, day grievance 80%, DCE grievance 55%, and communications 55%. In addition delegates will also vote on a proposed longevity adjustment for coordinators: 0-2 years, no adjustment; 3-4, $400; 5-6 $80Q 7-8, $1200 9-10, $160Q and more than 10, $2000.
* * Does not include $1 ,000 longevity adjustment for FY '94 for grievance and communications coordinators or the proposed longevity adjustment for FY P5 of B,000, $2,000, or $400 for day grievance, communications, and DCE grievance coordinators, respectively. €
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Apr. 30 |
Fall tentative schedule and courses to faculty |
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Apr. 30 |
Full-time fall (1994) schedules to chapter |
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May 1 |
Tenure recommendations from president |
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May 13 |
Faculty submit college service and student advisement forms |
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May 20 |
Tenure decisions due |
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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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