Members Present: Dave Michalak, Fred Loveland, Jim Muccio, Tim Skinner, Howard Streby, Brian Loy, John Pierog, Bill Hollister, Jason Detrani, David Zeggert, Judi Dzuba, Dan Brennan, Gerri Sears (Proxy for Meghan McGuiness), Suzanne Shepard and Joe Spence
Meeting called to order at 3:05 PM
President’s Report:
- May 14, 2015 Minutes passed unanimously. (Motion: Streby. Second: Zeggert)
- Dave led a discussion on meeting times. Two times a month was proposed or a two hour block, so that Councilors could meet one of the two. It was decided that Secretary Spence would share the results of the Doodle Poll with President Michalak for further action.
- Dave indicated that individual updates from the Councilors would be included under other reports and in new business. Welcome back everyone!
Vice President’s Report:
- Fred took a moment to recognize the extraordinary amount of FA work that Dave had to put in over the summer months.
- A grievance has been filed with regard to the situation in which a faculty member was placed upon administrative leave. The manner in which the letter was delivered to the home informing of being placed on leave was completely inappropriate. Armed sheriff and campus security arrived at 10:00 PM for this purpose. Further, there was no due process followed, nor any other attempt to meet with the faculty member to explain the reasons for this action. The FA and Administration clearly differ on what constitutes “discipline”. Being placed on administrative leave and being asked to turn in one’s keys is a denial of professional advantage and damaging to members’ reputations.
- Fred took the opportunity to remind members that they should never attend a meeting for which they don’t know the purpose, especially with the administration. If the nature of the meeting is not disclosed, do not attend without having union representation.
- The surveillance policy that FA drafted and brought forward has been implemented. Signs are now in place around campus.
- A MOU regarding stipends for Fast Forward is now in effect. Fast Forward has generated approximately $500,00 for the College.
Treasurer’s Report (For Rob Woods by Dave M.)
- Per the Dues Report from Payroll: PT Adjunct faculty will get dues deducted twice a semester. Adjuncts earning less than $8,500 a semester will pay $21.04. Those earning more than $8,500 will pay $39.59, per NYSUT.
- Dental premiums have been collected for the fall. The College still has not agreed to provide payroll deduction.
NEW BUSINESS:
- Organizing Institute: Suzanne Shepard presented the Service Model of organization, and will be heavily involved in the effort to involve and galvanize more members to action and participation in the FA through our own Organizing Institute. A meeting was held, at which there were no reps from STEM, Business, or Health Sciences. Dave discussed the Wisconsin experience and how the Governor’s attack on unions has caused massive changes that effectively eliminates all bargaining on terms and conditions of employment. Benefits such as health insurance is not negotiable and salary increases are restricted to a maximum of the cost of living.
- Negotiations:
- It was noted that while the administration has proposed raises of 1%, 1.5% and 2% for the faculty, Campus Safety wages saw a 16% increase from $37,000 to $43,000 as the minimum hiring salary.
- We have given the college our strongest evidence that any health insurance increase should come off the table. In the past 5 years, the college cost has increased only 3%, including 2 years of no increase in cost to the college. In that same time span, the family contribution cost to faculty members has increased 73%.
- President Drumm has also seen a pay increase. He has signed a new contract through 2020, raising his salary by2% to $217,000. In addition, the College contributed $7,500 to his deferred compensation plan and awarded him a $6,000 bonus for meeting performance goals.
The next Rep Council meeting TBA per discussion above
Motion to adjourn made at 4:15 PM by T. Skinner, seconded by D. Zeggert. Unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Joseph S. Spence
FA Secretary
SUNY Broome Community College 