Presidents, Union Ok New Appeals Process Protocol

By Joe LeBlanc, MCCC Vice President

In an effort to make the appeals process more timely, the union and college presidents have agreed to implement a process to shift much of the responsibility for maintaining the classification system to a new committee.

"Our goal is not to denigrate the work done by the BHE over the last several years, but it is time to shift the appeals process and day to day operation out of the hands of an outside consultant to a state-wide labor/management committee," said MCCC President Rick Doud.

Doud also expects the BHE to develop software tools based on work done by Maximus, Inc. These tools will assist college HR personnel in initially classifying new employees and in maintaining the integrity of the classification system.

The new protocol, which awaits final approval from the BHE's Associate Vice Chancellor of Human Resources Peter H. Tsaffaras, would place the appeals process under the control of a new Classification Appeals Committee comprised of three MCCC members and three members to be appointed by the Presidents Council.

In the revised system, new full-time faculty and unit professional staff would receive a copy of the employee's class specifications within 30 days of hiring. Unit members could then appeal their initial placement to the Committee. Professional staff whose job duties have changed would also be able request a reclassification. In this case an audit would first be conducted at the local level.

All appeals cases would be decided as soon as possible, normally within 90 days of the receipt of the appeal. Successful appeals would be effective at the beginning of the next payroll period after the reclassification or initial appeal request has been filed.

The new process also promises to resolve open issues left over from the first round of the appeals process. Effective dates would be consistent with cases already resolved. The nearly completed first round of appeals has already paid more than $1 million to members.

The pilot program will require ongoing maintenance. After a trial run, both parties agree to negotiate proposed changes no later than Sept. 1, 2005.

MTA consultant Michelle Gallagher and Mass Bay HR Director Laurie Taylor wrote the initial draft of this agreement. The following HR Directors along with MCCC Vice President Joe LeBlanc and Haidee Morris of the Community College Counsel's Office produced the final draft: Steve Fabbrucci, Northern Essex; Gary McPhee, Middlesex; and Maureen Wildey, Holyoke.