STCC PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES

April 29 , 2004  

Location:  13/114

Call to Order:  12:50

Reports and Announcements

Secretary's Report: L. Kleindienst

Minutes of March 25, 2004. Motion to accept, A. Bonemery, R. Rodgers. Passed.

Treasurer's Report: K. Czuchra.

Motion to accept, T. Glanville, A. Bonemery. Passed.

Dues remittal check from MCCC, based on FT faculty and staff and SCE faculty, is expected next week.

Vice President's Report: R. Albano

Legislative breakfast was held on April 23. Due to an emergency meeting of local Reps to deal with possibility of city of Springfield going into receivership, numerous Reps who were expected to attend sent aides instead. Power Point presentation created by Joe Leblanc was shown. Focus of breakfast was to present numerous issues:

Funding of points attracting new faculty

03 accounts economy's impact on existing programs

GPO/WEP nanotechnology

Benefits for SCE staff

Representatives luncheon is planned for May 20th at Carmela's on South Main St. at 12:30.

MCCC Director's Report: S. Cutler

The President, on behalf of the Executive Committee and membership, recognized Sandy for her committed service to the STCC PA and the union as a whole. Sandy steps down from STCC PA service as of the first of June.

Sandy reported:

• Funding for points for 2003 may be coming soon. College Presidents have signed resolution supporting the funding. Trying to get into July supplemental budget.
• Work-to-Rule" resolution has been approved if points are not paid by Sept 1, 2004.
• In answer to a question by D. Hebert, it is not clear if points for 04 are part of the effort.
• DCE bargaining team is meeting and top issues are money and benefits.
• John Lee is completing a study for the Day bargaining team on professional staff in the ten comparable states plus Connecticut.
• P. Mahler is replacing Brooks Smith on the Day team due to Brooks retirement.
• Second round of classification appeals, for "new hires", due to start June 1, 2004.
• A dental plan similar to administrators' plan will be offered soon. It offers a buy-in not currently available to union members

President, C. Mathison

• A Presidential Candidate Report, based on observations of 20 union members who attended the various interviews of the presidential candidates, was delivered to each of the members of the Board of Trustees. Copies of report are available to the membership.
• MCCC delegate Assembly is May 8 in Auburn. There are 15 delegates from STCC.
• STCC will be sending 9 delegates to the MTA Annual Meeting in Boston from May 21-22, 2004. (Twelve were elected but three will be unable to attend.)

No reports from either Grievance Officer or Representative-at-Large.

Nominating Committee, D. Buckley

• Slate of candidates validated. However, according to Bylaws needed to be posted minimum of two weeks before election.
• Motion to waive two week promulgation of slate approved by vote of membership present.
• In accordance with Bylaws, voice vote on slate of officers (see below) was approved unanimously.

President: Carol Mathison

Vice President: Cleo Mavrelion

Secretary: Lynn Kleindienst

Treasurer: Ken Czuchra

Member-at-Large: Carole Dupont

Member-at-Large: Mike Farrell

Director: Roberta Albano

Business/Discussion Items

Motion on Work to Rule: If points agreed to by extension of contract for FY03 are not funded by the first day of classes of Fall 04 the STCC PA may call for "work-to-rule".

R. Rodgers, D. Buckley. Passed unanimously.

Motion on Incorporation: Bob Rodgers made a brief report on incorporation for chapters. He pointed out that our PA was a chapter not the local. Furthermore, concerns about possible liabilities are unfounded. In addition, incorporation would require the payment of annual fee and filing of annual reports. After discussion and consideration, the following motion was passed.

The STCC PA will not incorporate at this time.

M. Donovan, D. Hebert. Passed.

Mary Donovan questioned what was going on with new hires and implementation of classification. C. Mathison noted that this was a problem systemwide and that campuses were in fact hiring with starting salaries above the mid-range of classification. It is virtually impossible to hire health and technology faculty within the current classification structure. No provision for declaring a position a "Market Competitive Position" was put in our current contract. A study was done by the BHE a year ago but the BHE refused to release it - no rationale given. A system-wide grievance has recently been filed but the most that could come out of this would be a decision to "hold harmless" those impacted. This is a critical issue that needs to be addressed and the reason for a market update and payment of points.

Motion to Adjourn: 1:50 PM, K. Thomes, T. Glanville

Secretary,

Lynn Kleindienst