Florida Education Association President Andy Ford said today that he was glad that Gov. Charlie Crist finally has acknowledged that the state’s universities and community college need an infusion of funding to continue to offer a high quality education to tens of thousands of students.
But Ford said he thought the proposal for tuition increases and reducing the amount of coverage in some cases offered by the Bright Futures scholarship program represented an unacceptable financial burden to many struggling Floridians.
“The governor was correct that higher education in Florida is in danger of losing some of its top minds in the university system and will continue to struggle to attract qualified faculty members,” Ford said. “But placing the responsibility for increased funding solely on the backs of students and their parents isn’t fair.”
Ford said he shared the concerns of Senate Democratic Leader Al Lawson of Tallahassee, who said Thursday that the governor’s proposal would put higher education even further out of reach for Floridians at a time when the state ranks among the highest in the nation for job loss, home foreclosures and bankruptcies.
Ford repeated his call for a short-term increase in the state’s sales tax, dedicated to all levels of public schools. The FEA proposal would increase the state sales tax by a penny for three years, which would raise more than $3.5 billion a year for public education. This would offset budget cuts that have slashed the state’s support for public education from kindergarten through college. It would also buy time for political leaders to improve the state’s tax structure so that there isn’t a funding crisis every time there’s an economic downturn.
“Students in school shouldn’t suffer because of an economic downturn,” Ford said. “Florida’s children are this state’s future and we should make sure they can continue receiving a high-quality education.”
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Friday, November 21, 2008
CONGRATS TO GONZALEZ AND LEVINS
If you're like me, you are way behind on any reading for pleasure. It was nice to have a few minutes yesterday to kick back with the local magazine Bella.
On page 47, in an article entitled "What's for Dinner?" PJC's Professor Gloria Gonzalez and Dr. Janet Levins participate in a Q&A session about the benefits and the how-to of a vegetarian diet. Gonzalez serves as the Nutrition and Dietetic Technician Program Coordinator.
Great publicity for the College and the program!
On page 47, in an article entitled "What's for Dinner?" PJC's Professor Gloria Gonzalez and Dr. Janet Levins participate in a Q&A session about the benefits and the how-to of a vegetarian diet. Gonzalez serves as the Nutrition and Dietetic Technician Program Coordinator.
Great publicity for the College and the program!
Monday, November 17, 2008
PJC NURSING PROGRAM TAKES TOP RANK
Hopefully, you all saw the wonderful news about the PJC Practical nursing program in Friday's (Nov. 14, 2008) Pensacola News Journal.
PJC's practical nursing program received the No. 1 ranking out of 1,036 U.S. programs. The other great news was that the program earned a 100 percent pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination-Practical Nursing, a semiannual, comparative review of nursing programs.
Congratulations to the nursing faculty and to the practical nursing students!
PJC's practical nursing program received the No. 1 ranking out of 1,036 U.S. programs. The other great news was that the program earned a 100 percent pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination-Practical Nursing, a semiannual, comparative review of nursing programs.
Congratulations to the nursing faculty and to the practical nursing students!
Friday, November 14, 2008
PERC: Public Employees Relations Commission
Two questions that were asked yesterday had to do with PERC (the Public Employees Relations Commission) and I thought it best to answer those here.
How does PERC operate?
That can best be answered by directing you to the PERC website at http://perc.myflorida.com/.
In our current position of impasse, this applies: "The Commission has an Impasse and mediation coordinator who oversees and orchestrates federally provided mediators and private employed arbitrators to resolve impasses in labor negotiations." More information on the impasse process can be found at Section 447.403 through 447.407, Florida Statutes (2007) and Florida Administrative Code Rule 60CC-3.003-3.008.
Who makes up the current PERC Board?
Pursuant to Chapter 447, Part II, Florida Statutes, the Public Employees Relations Commission (PERC) consists of three commissioners appointed by the governor for over lapping terms of four years, subject to Senate confirmation. One of the commissioner positions is designated as Chair. The Chair of PERC serves as chief executive and administrative officer of the agency.
Members of the Commission
Chair Stephanie Williams Ray
Commissioner Charles H. Kossuth Jr.
Commissioner Jessica E. Varn
Information about each Commissioner can be found by visiting the PERC website and following the links.
How does PERC operate?
That can best be answered by directing you to the PERC website at http://perc.myflorida.com/.
In our current position of impasse, this applies: "The Commission has an Impasse and mediation coordinator who oversees and orchestrates federally provided mediators and private employed arbitrators to resolve impasses in labor negotiations." More information on the impasse process can be found at Section 447.403 through 447.407, Florida Statutes (2007) and Florida Administrative Code Rule 60CC-3.003-3.008.
Who makes up the current PERC Board?
Pursuant to Chapter 447, Part II, Florida Statutes, the Public Employees Relations Commission (PERC) consists of three commissioners appointed by the governor for over lapping terms of four years, subject to Senate confirmation. One of the commissioner positions is designated as Chair. The Chair of PERC serves as chief executive and administrative officer of the agency.
Members of the Commission
Chair Stephanie Williams Ray
Commissioner Charles H. Kossuth Jr.
Commissioner Jessica E. Varn
Information about each Commissioner can be found by visiting the PERC website and following the links.
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Many thanks to all who attended yesterday's general membership meeting and to those who called to let me know you could not attend because of class, labs, or clinics.
The Communicator was distributed as well as other informational handouts. If someone from your department attended, they will be bringing back that information for distribution. The remaining Communicators will be delivered to campus mailboxes.
The discussion was helpful to everyone including the negotiating team. One main thing that people wanted to know was what could they do. The best thing you can do is to continue to perform your professional duties in your normal professional manner. While being at impasse is very hard on morale, I would encourage each of you to continue to step up to that challenge and not let that be a stumbling block to your service to your students and the College.
What else can you do?
You have these rights and you deserve what's right - not what's left.
If you do not have a lapel pin or shirt, please contact Cindy App, capp@pjc.edu or x1462.
The Communicator was distributed as well as other informational handouts. If someone from your department attended, they will be bringing back that information for distribution. The remaining Communicators will be delivered to campus mailboxes.
The discussion was helpful to everyone including the negotiating team. One main thing that people wanted to know was what could they do. The best thing you can do is to continue to perform your professional duties in your normal professional manner. While being at impasse is very hard on morale, I would encourage each of you to continue to step up to that challenge and not let that be a stumbling block to your service to your students and the College.
What else can you do?
- You have the right to contact the Board of Trustees and make them aware of your position. (See earlier postings for names and addresses of BOT members.)
- You have the right to attend the Board of Trustees' meeting this coming Tuesday, November 18 at 5:30pm in the District Board of Trustees' room in Bldg. 7.
- You have the right to express your opinions to the local media.
- You have the right to express your opinion to those you come in contact with daily.
- You have the right to wear your UFF/FEA lapel pin or your UFF shirt showing your support of PJCFA during these times.
You have these rights and you deserve what's right - not what's left.
If you do not have a lapel pin or shirt, please contact Cindy App, capp@pjc.edu or x1462.
Monday, November 10, 2008
RUMOR CONTROL
Earlier today, a member contacted me and asked, "What do you mean that you guys turned down a 3% raise?" Let me assure the membership that the PJCFA negotiating team did no such thing.
At last Thursday's session, the College proposed only replacing the guaranteed 2% annual faculty raise (Article 15.01C of the current CBA) which states “to the extent possible within the budget model” with a “not less than 3% recurring increase,” dependent on “stable fundable enrollment” and “stable CCPF (Community College Program Fund) funding.”
When PJFA Chief Negotiator Paige Anderson asked the College's chief negotiator if this implied a 3% raise for this year, the answer was no.
In essence, the College, which has refused to honor its current 2% commitment to faculty, proposed to change that to a 3% commitment, which it also declined to honor for this year.
After being told no to a raise for this year, PJCFA Chief Negotiator Anderson crossed through the portion of the College's offer stating that the not less than 3% recurring increase was contigent upon stable funding enrollment and stable CCPF. She handed that counter offer to the College's Chief Negotiator who once again said no. At that pointed, impasse was declared.
The session was taped and is a matter of public record for those who would like to hear the session for themselves.
At last Thursday's session, the College proposed only replacing the guaranteed 2% annual faculty raise (Article 15.01C of the current CBA) which states “to the extent possible within the budget model” with a “not less than 3% recurring increase,” dependent on “stable fundable enrollment” and “stable CCPF (Community College Program Fund) funding.”
When PJFA Chief Negotiator Paige Anderson asked the College's chief negotiator if this implied a 3% raise for this year, the answer was no.
In essence, the College, which has refused to honor its current 2% commitment to faculty, proposed to change that to a 3% commitment, which it also declined to honor for this year.
After being told no to a raise for this year, PJCFA Chief Negotiator Anderson crossed through the portion of the College's offer stating that the not less than 3% recurring increase was contigent upon stable funding enrollment and stable CCPF. She handed that counter offer to the College's Chief Negotiator who once again said no. At that pointed, impasse was declared.
The session was taped and is a matter of public record for those who would like to hear the session for themselves.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
PJCFA DECLARES IMPASSE OVER BARGAINING
Negotiators for the union representing the faculty of Pensacola Junior College declared impasse today after ten months of bargaining. Issues at impasse include salaries and scheduling of professional activities. Negotiators have been unable to agree on base salary increases for all faculty, promotions, and payment for teaching extra classes and performing additional duties.
Paige Anderson, chief negotiator for the Faculty union, expressed her concern about the college’s unwillingness to address compensation. “For over fifteen years, the college has promised to move faculty salaries into the top twenty percent of Florida’s community colleges. Unfortunately, the promise has not been kept and PJC faculty salaries rank near the bottom. We have patiently negotiated for several months in an attempt to find common ground, while the college’s negotiators have offered no salary increases for this year or any guarantee of future compensation.”
According to Charlotte Sweeney, PJCFA president, the faculty union is seeking mediation and will call for a special magistrate, if necessary. “We have asked our staff professional to make arrangements for a federal mediator to assist us in resolving our differences, and we will inform the Public Employees Relations Commission that we have declared impasse. If we are unable to reach an agreement with the college through mediation, we will ask PERC to appoint a special magistrate.”
Ms. Anderson noted that the average PJC faculty salary in 2007 was $44,860 while the state average was $51,057. Additionally, new faculty members with a master’s degree earn a salary of $34,828. Although the college has refused to offer even a cost of living raise this year for faculty, Dr. Ed Meadows, the new PJC president, earns a salary of $193,000, which is eight percent higher than his predecessor, Dr. Tom Delaino.
Paige Anderson, chief negotiator for the Faculty union, expressed her concern about the college’s unwillingness to address compensation. “For over fifteen years, the college has promised to move faculty salaries into the top twenty percent of Florida’s community colleges. Unfortunately, the promise has not been kept and PJC faculty salaries rank near the bottom. We have patiently negotiated for several months in an attempt to find common ground, while the college’s negotiators have offered no salary increases for this year or any guarantee of future compensation.”
According to Charlotte Sweeney, PJCFA president, the faculty union is seeking mediation and will call for a special magistrate, if necessary. “We have asked our staff professional to make arrangements for a federal mediator to assist us in resolving our differences, and we will inform the Public Employees Relations Commission that we have declared impasse. If we are unable to reach an agreement with the college through mediation, we will ask PERC to appoint a special magistrate.”
Ms. Anderson noted that the average PJC faculty salary in 2007 was $44,860 while the state average was $51,057. Additionally, new faculty members with a master’s degree earn a salary of $34,828. Although the college has refused to offer even a cost of living raise this year for faculty, Dr. Ed Meadows, the new PJC president, earns a salary of $193,000, which is eight percent higher than his predecessor, Dr. Tom Delaino.
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