On Monday, Feb 22, 2010, in the Campus Center Auditorium, representatives from the MA Joint House and Senate Ways and Means committee will take testimony on Higher Education (1-2:30) and public testimony (2:30-4).

On Thursday, January 28 the attached “Discussion Points” were delivered to all UMass unions by representatives of President Wilson’s office.  The points represent a formal request that MSP re-open and re-negotiate provisions of our signed agreement which was ratified by MSP members last March.

The contents of the administration “offer” includes concessions by way of furloughs and raise delays.  These concessions represent roughly $10,000 in financial losses for the average MSP member, with many members losing considerably more.  We have been told that these concessions are neither to prevent layoffs nor to relieve an immediate financial crisis.

JACK WILSON, president of the University of Massachusetts system, was awarded a raise of almost $73,000 this year. Apparently, the UMass trustees judged that his previous salary of $473,000 - and his housing allowance of $45,000, his $25,000 in deferred compensation, his $51,000 retirement annuity, and the use of a car - was not sufficient to support the lifestyle to which he had become accustomed.

Governor Patrick failed to submit our recently negotiated contract to the legislature for funding in time to be included in the budget which was just approved.  As a result, the 1.5% across-the-board salary increase which was to be effective on July 5, 2009 has been delayed.

As 2010 begins we are facing some serious financial issues that affect our paychecks, our benefits, our careers and the core values of the university.  In this year we will clearly need to be organized, persuasive and persistent advocates for public higher education if we are to stave off deep changes to the university.

Despite the huge losses to the funding of higher ed, the governor wants more.  We have been asked to reopen our contracts to potentially modify our meager raises by delaying their implementation dates and giving back pay in the form of furloughs and benefit concessions.

It began with a crisis, of course. In 2002, during yet another budget crisis produced in large measure by the state’s tax-cutting mania, Massachusetts proposed a massive cut in the university’s budget. Through an early retirement incentive, the state wanted to reduce the faculty by 10 percent. No one was prepared to fight back.

How can MSP faculty and librarians continue to pursue their mission to provide a high quality education to the citizens of the Commonwealth under current conditions?

Due to loss of revenues, health insurance benefits will be cut beginning in February 2010 with increases in co-pays and the addition of upfront deductibles.  The only good news on this is that premiums will be reduced slightly because of these changes.

GOT TIME?

On Thursday, December 3^rd MSP will hold an All-Member Luncheon to discuss faculty workload and its impact on faculty and librarian life.  Please come to the Campus Center Amherst Room (10^th floor) at Noon and bring your ideas, concerns and experience to help formulate policies around faculty workload, including the balance among teaching, service, and research.  RSVP now (by reply email or phone – 545-2206) to reserve your spot.

Legislation that would allow members of the Optional Retirement Plan to (re-)enter the State Employee Retirement System will be reported out of committee on November 18.  If this is important to your future, you need to take action NOW!!