Meeting minutes: November 2, 2011
Meeting highlights: Chancellor search, Salary negotiations, Election of Negotiating Committee, Faculty Senate Bylaw Changes, Newsletter, Occupy Movement Meeting date: 11/02/2011 Present: Randy Phillis, Steve Brewer, Meghan Banach, Carol Will, Jim Smethurst, Eric Berlin, Michael Sugerman, Allen Barker, Lori Reardon, David Gross., Joe Levine, Eliot Moss, Mickey Gallagher 1) Minutes from 10-19- 11 approved.
2) Chancellor search committee coming to campus on 11-3 (10:30 and 4:45)and 11-4 (9:15). -We should show up and make sure that the fact that UMass is a highly unionized workplace is an issue that the committee takes into account -We should make sure that logistics of the search are clear and transparent.
3) Randy met with UMass negotiating team -President's office has effectively offered to negotiate a new contract that is based on the NAGE parameters. -this does not block us from negotiating other issues -we can start bargaining immediately. If we can fast track this and complete the negotiations by mid February then the contract could be part of the regular budget rather than requiring a supplemental budget battle in the legislature. -Representative from Administration and Finance (Gonzalez) had stated that the governor would not submit a supplemental budget to fund a new contract -both sides at meeting agreed to approach the governor to get a commitment from him to fund a new contract
Joe attended another meeting with Caret and union leaders -Caret says all the right things: he is adamant that he wants UMass to remain affordable (not supporting the "high fee / high aid" model); he wants to raise staffing numbers if we raise faculty numbers; etc. -Caret and David Gray will meet with Gonzales this week. Why not with Patrick?
Discussion about whether we should demonstrate / leaflet / something at the meeting of the chancellor search committee meetings. -Randy suggested that since the administration has shifted, it might not be productive to demonstrate publicly in some way. -Allen suggested that we should contact our legislators to get them to pressure the governor -Mickey announced that McKuen (sp?) has been hired by MTA to develop lobbying procedures. He will be coming to Amherst on 11-7 and is looking to meet with MSP activists
4) Election of Negotiating Committee -We have four volunteers: Randy, Joe, Eve, Michael. -Librarians are already bargaining. -Michael suggested that the librarians appoint a bargaining contract contact person in the event that something needs to be dealt with quickly. -All but one in favor; one abstention.
5) David brought for discussion some changes in the bylaws of Faculty Senate -who is a qualified voter in the senate -all voters need to be full-time; there's a long list of faculty and librarian positions – why not just say all half-time and greater faculty and librarians? -Librarian I status is excluded; first six months excluded; why? -David will present an alternative at the 11-2 senate meeting.
6) Officers have some suggestions about the MSP newsletter -some unions have more interesting newsletters and have an appointed person who is in charge of producing it; -discussion about what should go in to this fall's newsletter. -10 to 12 topics; -aim to get it done before Thanksgiving
7) Dept. Reps. -Meetings of dept. reps. are 11-3 and 11-4 at lunch. -good to have board members there.
8) the Occupy movement -this has become an important movement and is changing the topics of political debate. -should we engage with Occupy issues? They are directly relevant to issues of public education. -discussion will be postponed until future meeting. -Joe: and discussions of political endorsements in general.
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