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Volume XIII |
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Number Ten |
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In This Issue: |
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In the summer of 1987, the MCCC lost one of its most respected leaders when MCCC Treasurer Raymond C. Lemieux from Springfield Technical Community College died suddenly of a heart attack. Ray Lemieux was a man who was committed to the teaching profession. He was equally committed to representing and defending the professional rights of his colleagues. Actively involved on his campus and in the MCCC, MTA, and NEA, he earned the respect of faculty, professional staff, and administrators alike. His command of the college and state accounting systems made him indispensable when the MCCC needed to set up new salary schedules. In 1991 the MCCC established an award in Ray's memory and for the past four years has awarded it to a unit member who personifies the qualities and characteristics . . . "of an individual whose service, leadership, and dedication have contributed significantly to the Massachusetts Community College Council. Criteria for the award are service to higher education and to the labor movement in the quest for improved working conditions, the maintenance of high standards of professional excellence, and a demonstrated leadership in higher education at the chapter, MCCC, MTA and NEA levels. At the MCCC Delegate Assembly on April 20, 1996, the fifth Raymond C. Lemieux Award was presented to Thomas Parsons, a professor at Mass. Bay Community College and president of the Massachusetts Community College Council. Cathy Boudreau, last year's recipient, was the presenter. Parsons is a professor of economics, accounting and personal finance at Mass. Bay. and a part-time graduate instructor at Framingham State College. In 1980 he decided to become involved in the statewide union and was elected director from Mass. Bay. to the MCCC Board. |
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In July of 1987, the unimaginable happened--one of the foundations of the union died. A number of MCCC members had just returned from the NEA Annual Meeting in California, and within a few weeks, MCCC Treasurer Ray Lemieux died.
For a moment, the organization was stunned and concerned about who could move into the treasurer's job and replace Lemieux. President Jim Rice immediately turned to Parsons who accepted the job.
As the new MCCC Treasurer, Parsons not only continued Lemieux's excellent relationship with MTA, but he expanded it and changed the way the treasurer's job was done. The membership was expanding. Parsons took what Lemieux had done, expanded it, perfected it, and created an open, membership-driven process. He wrote a treasurers' handbook for both the statewide office and for chapter treasurers, invested our money wisely so that today we enjoy a healthy stabilization account, instituted a budget committee, brought in an independent auditor, and produced detailed monthly reports.
And then the other side of Parsons surfaced--he began working on the organizing of part-time day faculty and professional staff and DCE faculty. For years the MCCC Board and chapter leaders had heard the frustration expressed by part-time employees about the lack of salary increases and lack of job security. The MCCC Board voted to organize the part-time employees, and Parsons embraced the task of collecting signatures. He persevered in contacting part-time employees and getting cards for the election. The Labor Relations Commission certified these groups, and the MCCC (state colleges were certified at the same time also) entered into bargaining. In 1990 one of the first contracts for DCE employees was ratified by MCCC providing for up to 80% salary increases over the next three years.
In 1992 Parsons was elected MCCC president. His campaign platform included expanded communications and organized political action. His tireless work ethic was again evident when the MCCC was working on the equity study settlement. When the search began for all the women slated to receive an adjustment, the list of "unknown addresses" numbered in the 800's. He was determined that everyone was going to receive her share. By sheer persistence; Parsons piece by piece, day by day, whittled the number down to only one person he was unable to find.
There is no question he expanded communications-in fact some chapter presidents have created a few nicknames for his numerous fares and communications over the years. Right after his presidency began, the MCCC and the rest of the state employees' organizations needed to form a coalition, mobilize their members, and move on the legislature to fund the 1990 contracts. With his usual energy and commitment, Parsons jumped into the fray. Phil Mahler from Middlesex Community College became the chair of the contract funding campaign, and Parsons and Mahler worked with the chapters and the MTA to maintain a strong, coordinated effort to get the contract funded.
During the past four years of his presidency, Parsons organized that office in the same way he organized the Treasurer's office. He produced a comprehensive president's handbook for chapter presidents, a handbook for future MCCC presidents, and a structure in the organization for officers, board members, and chapter presidents.
A few years ago, as many contested elections and vacancies occurred in the legislature, Parsons jumped into the campaign to elect Cheryl Jacques who was running against Senator David Locke, a 27-year incumbent and the minority leader of the Senate. With his usual indomitable spirit, Parsons organized the Mass. Bay chapter and together they worked tirelessly on this campaign, and they prevailed.
There is little doubt that Parsons has worked to increase the awareness and importance of political action and its role within the MCCC and education. Last semester, he again worked what seemed to be 80 hour weeks in keeping the membership active in our contract negotiations.
In addition to his MCCC activities, Parsons has been involved in many MTA activities as well, The most important for us was his work on the MTA Budget Committee for six years. Before he served on that committee, no one was paying attention to what was happening in the MTA vis a vis higher education. He was responsible for thousands of dollars being added to higher education's budget.
Parsons has also worked hard at the national level. In addition to attending many NEA Annual Meetings, he has been asked over the years to come to Washington to participate in the small groups which formulate NEA policy. He has been very active in the National Council for Higher Education and has testified on issues of concern for higher education at the NEA.
Parsons is resolute in his approach to all his jobs. He makes sure he covers every detail, and for the many of us who call him, no one is left with the feeling that all details were not covered.
He has given of himself tirelessly, time and time again, over the past 16 years of his union involvement. There is no one who has worked harder on behalf of the MCCC membership.
As he leaves the MCCC presidency and moves into another phase of his life, his contributions will be long remembered. Parson's parting will diminish the MCCC's pantheon of puns and the fax lines will wonder what happened to their best friend.
And so, as Parson takes what we hope will be but a short respite from his years of active union work and leadership, we wish him a good long rest and a speedy return to the MCCC which has been made a stronger, more responsive union due to his hard work and diligence.
The Senate has come out with a good higher education budget. The increases, as outlined below, however, must be looked at closely. The percentage increase includes the collective bargaining costs for MCCC, AFSCME, and a COLA for the nonunit employees. According to Senate Ways and Means Chair Stanley Rosenberg, the over- all increase for higher education is 7.7%. When you look at the individual campus amounts, salary-increase money and specifically earmarked money need to be removed in order to have an accurate look at the real increase. Once you do that, the average increase to the campus budgets appears to be around 5%. This, of course, is excellent, especially considering that the House not only level funded the budget, but did not include nonunit salary increases.
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Berkshire |
$6,849,451 |
$5,134,453 |
$6,849,451 |
$7,528,145 |
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Bnstol |
9,063,016 |
6,646,065 |
9,063,016 |
10,001,087 |
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Bunker Hill |
11,082,254 |
8,016,683 |
11,082,254 |
12,729,408 |
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Cape Cod |
7,068,229 |
5,204,161 |
7,068,229 |
7,829,732 |
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Greenfield |
6,182,510 |
4,532,916 |
6,182,510 |
6,842,002 |
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Holyoke |
10,730,029 |
7,556,164 |
10,730,029 |
11,874,888 |
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Mass. Bay |
7,980,014 |
5,921,279 |
7,980,014 |
8,872,296 |
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M assasoit |
13,833,596 |
10,146,973 |
13,833,596 |
15,216,418 |
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Middlesex |
12,018,319 |
9,256,167 |
12,018,319 |
13,244,003 |
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Mt.Wachusett |
6,980,586 |
5,540,097 |
6,980,586 |
7,955,841 |
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No.Essex |
11,723,584 |
8,526,380 |
11,723,584 |
12,963,121 |
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No. Shore |
13,792,524 |
10,826,617 |
13,792,524 |
15,076,474 |
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Quinsigamond |
8,674,766 |
6,004,074 |
8,674,766 |
9,548,754 |
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Roxbury |
7,957,604 |
5,609,459 |
7,957,604 |
8,705,778 |
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Springfield |
15,398,264 |
11,225,685 |
15,398,264 |
16,963,207 |
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The reserve account remained with an increase to $3.8 million from the final House recommendation of $2.8 million. The $2.8 million was for the community and state colleges, but it seems that the $3.8 now includes the university. The language from the House changed significantly in the Senate--no language on increased classroom teaching time, elimination of programs, etc.
Senate version does not give BHE Chair James Carlin control over fees. This language is in the House budge so we need to keep vigilant during the Conference Committee debate to make sure this language is removed.
The budget also includes Senator Rosenberg's fair share funding language. This is but one proposal in the senate concerning a long-term commitment to providing funding stabilization to higher education.
Tax credit for sending children to public higher education institutions for an undergraduate education is included in budget. The credit is the amount by which tuition exceeds 25% of the taxpayers' adjusted gross income.
The Higher Education Coordinating Council (HECC) is renamed to the Board of Higher Education (BHE), and it falls under the newly created Education, Training and Labor Office. The change from the present makeup is that two of the governor's appointments will include at least one from among three former members of the state colleges boards of trustees and at least one from among three former members of the community colleges board of trustees (All names submitted will come from the state and community colleges' councils.).
The university's Board of Trustees retained control over the running of the university system.
No tuition retention language. Needs to be removed in the Conference Committee since it appeared in the House budget.
No change in our health insurance costs (remains at 85%/15%).
There is a study committee to look at each institution and its viability vis a vis productivity and performance. Attached to this study, however, is $250,000 from the Board of Higher Education's appropriation. This money is for technical assistance grants so campuses can hire technical experts to help develop strategies to address accountability objectives, achievements, and outcomes of the public higher system.
A benchmark study of public higher education, originally authorized by the Higher Education Reorganization Act of 1991, is mandated by this outside section. The study must be completed by 1999 and is subject to appropriation.
Colleges can carry over one percent of their budget to the next fiscal year.
Health & Welfare increase reflects $1 per unit member increase. Unfortunately not enough to upgrade dental plan.
Two grants per campus are available for those members interested in attending the MTA Summer Conference in Williamstown that will be held from August 12-16.
This year's conference will have a thematic approach again, and the higher education tract will consist of a Wednesday luncheon, DCE contract the grievance training workshop on Thursday morning, a Thursday afternoon session with legislators, and a Friday morning session of higher education update information.
MCCC Grievance Coordinator Dennis Fitzgerald will be hold a day grievance workshop on Tuesday afternoon.
When you apply, please make sure you note whether you will be attending for the entire week or part of the week. Applications must be submitted no later than May 28th to: MCCC President Tom Parsons
MTA's deadline is June 1, 1996
The DCE contract has finally been executed by all parties and is in full force and effect.
Both contracts are in the process of being printed. Day contracts will be sent to chapter presidents and DCE contracts will be mailed when DCE unit members get next teaching contract.
There is a rumor that the pay increases will be in the June payroll check. No word on Educational Needs money. Dennis Fitzgerald will keep the chapters updated on this issue.
You can retain your membership in the MCCC, MTA and NEA and continue to participate in the benefits derived from the Educator Services Corporation as well as keep on top of what is happening in education. The cost to retirees is $44 a year (MCCC $14; MTA $15; NEA $15). €
On June 1, 1996, the new officers will assume their positions in the MCCC leadership.
President: Susan Dole, Bunker Hill Community College. Vice President: Phil Mahler, Middlesex Community College. Treasurer: Roger Dufresne, No. Essex Community College. Secretary: Phyllis Barrett, Holyoke Community College.
In addition to Tom Parsons stepping down as MCCC President, Chris Coolidge has served as MCCC secretary for the past two years. She has worked hard on behalf of the MCCC and her chapter at Mt. Wachusett, and her political action skills will be put to use again on the chapter level. We wish them well and hope they will both remain involved in the MCCC.
Anyone having a complaint or concern about the Blue Cross Dental plan and coverage should direct his or her comments to
Abe Sherf,
North Shore Community College.
He is the community college representative on the Health and Welfare Trust Fund.
The following vacancies exist for MCCC committees. Anyone interested in applying should send a letter expressing interest to: MCCC President Susan Dole
Deadline for application is July 15, 1996.
The vacancies within the community colleges are easily accessible on the MTA Bulletin Board System (BBS) (1-800-523- 8883) 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.
For the first time user. When you call into the BBS, you will need to provide some information to the systems operator. You can get on the BBS immediately and choose your password. Once you get on the BBS, follow these steps to get to the vacancy area. Enter your name and password, Select F(ile); 6(Vacancies in community colleges); (F)files in this area; (V)iew and type in the first two numbers of the last dated entry e.g., 42-11-1996 (You would type 42).
Only questions specific to the MTA BBS should be directed to the systems Operator (SYSop) Ron Miller (1-508-653-7244), preferably through the BBS. If you have specific questions about a vacancy, call the college.
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May 20 |
Tenure decisions due |
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May 30 |
Professional Staff submit College Service and Student Advisement (E4&E5) forms |
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May 31 |
Latest academic year can end |
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June 1 |
Professional Staff work assignment submitted |
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June 1 |
Professional staff work performance evaluation |
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June 1 |
Part-time (day) faculty receive student evaluations |
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June 3 |
Fall leave of absence decisions by president |
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June 3 |
Fall sabbaticals awarded |
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June 10 |
Professional staff receive E4&E5 evaluations |
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June 15 |
Professional staff post evaluation conference |
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June 15 |
Professional staff summary evaluation (E9) due |
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June 20 |
Sabbaticals for spring 1996 due to supervisor/dean |
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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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