Friday, October 18, 2013
Bargaining Update!
Well--what a crazy round of bargaining (if you can call it that!) we have been experiencing this year.It seems that for every two steps forward, the administration backs us up three! It has been frustrating for all.
Anyway, after the ridiculous articles presented by the administration on October 10th, we really thought that our willingness to try to come to terms with a possible temporary full-time faculty track had caused the administrative side to back off their draconian positions. We really (and possibly foolishly) thought that the positions (which show a complete lack of respect towards faculty) were meant to scare us into allowing the temporary full-time faculty track (TFF). Once we presented a comprehensive article which allowed for a respectful and judicious use of TFF, the admin team seemed pleased with us and seemed willing to back off their harsh positions and promised to come back to bargaining on October 17th with new articles reflecting mutual ground. You can only imagine our shock and dismay when ,on October 17th, the administration presented to us the EXACT articles they had presented on October 10th.
So some progress made
-The admin did agree to back off striking all references to starting salaries for newly hired faculty
-They agreed to a pot of $100,000 for us to start repairing market inequity among some of our members
-Surpise, surprise--they are willing to give us a 2% raise
Please, please take the time to read the proposals and mark your calendars for the next bargaining session at 2:30 PM on November 14th. But before then we've got some work to do. We need to be at the next Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, October 22nd at 5:30 PM--they need to know that we are UNITED and won't sit still while they try to negativeley impact our work conditions, and subsequently our ability to maintain high academic standards for our students. Also, keep an eye out for an anouncement for a faculty meeting for us to share concerns and strategy with each other.
And last but not least, please post all comments and concerns on this blog instead of through work email--we would not want anyone to suffer any repercussions for using work email. And please remember that we cannot fight among ourselves--we all need to offer the support and respect to our fellow faculty members that we are NOT recieving from our administrators!
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6 comments:
I'm very disappointed that so little progress has been made. And not another session until November 14th? Really? It seems as though we're back to the mind set of the "Christmas bonus." Admin drags negotiations out and then comes to terms so that the faculty will be oh so happy to get their pittance in time for the holidays. Bah humbug!
First, I would like to thank our PSCFA leadership and bargaining team for all of the time and effort they continue to exhibit on the faculty member’s behalf!
Secondly, it saddens me to know that the administration thinks so little of its faculty which is evident by the articles they have presented. I would encourage the Board of Trustees to question the administration and not just be a rubber stamp.
Still trying to wrap my head around the bulk of what is coming out of building 7. I am in total dismay that our trustees are not aware of it. Do they not know.....or not care?? The mind boggles!!
Some things to ponder:
1. Massive salaries paid to the executive level , yet several of these slots did not have search committees. Wonder what qualified them???
2. The school promised years ago to ensure that the faculty pay would be in the tope tier of the state. Still waiting.....
3. Our Warrington friends are seething over the proposed cut in their load points for clinical classes. Guess monitoring invasive, potentially life saving acts aren't that important and should be given as much credence as Music ( no offense to the music folks!!).
4. We are not the college. WOW, guess students come here because of the wonderful atmosphere coming out of building 7.
5. I'm wondering if out trustees can be TRUSTED to bring this up in open forum to the school's so-called leadership.
6. The governor's race will be heating up soon. I wonder if Scott's office needs to investigate. Any PNJ folks out there want a good story???? Holler!
Peace!!
We keep hearing this nonsense about how our programs "don't support themselves" somehow. Does anyone on that side have enough sense to recognize the vast amount of money our administration siphons off the the income THAT WE PRODUCE before we're expected to "support ourselves" on the remainder? Maybe it's their loads that need to be adjusted. In these times of economic uncertainty, I think we could muddle through somehow with less administration.
If the trustees are not aware of the shameful state of morale at the College, they're about to be. Please, please make all of your colleagues aware that they must attend our rally at the Board meeting on November 19 at the Warrington campus. We need to already be there when they enter the building for their 5:30 meeting. Our only strength is in our numbers. The Board and the community need to be aware of this relentless attack on us, and the administration needs to find out that we're not public servants, that we're not afraid, and that they're in for a fight. Please be at Warrington next Tuesday. WE are the College!!!!!!
A great administration recognizes that its only role is to put students in the seats and provide the faculty whatever they need to get the job done. A great faculty doesn't need to be led, or threatened, or micro-managed. An underpaid, undervalued and underappreciated faculty is a perfect recipe for a second-rate institution. We need to stand up. I will be there for the Board of Trustees meeting. Can anyone provide details?
After sitting through many bargaining sessions, it is mind-blowing how we still have any full-time faculty members working at PSC. The blatant disrespect the admin is showing full-timers this year is so overwhelming and if it continues, we are sure to have major issues.
If money is such a problem for our college, consolidate some of the administrative positions or better yet, stop giving them raises to their already ridiculous salaries. Reducing workload points is definitely not the solution to saving money. Expecting faculty to work a heavier workload for a smaller salary is just absurd.
I would like to see some of our administrators have their hourly rate decrease and expect them to do more, that would never fly on their end. So why are we expected to sit back and be treated so poorly. If the administration would only listen to the Union's ideas at bargaining and actually take them seriously maybe there would be a solution to our economic woes. Although, Dr. Meadows is quick to say how great the college is doing at Convocation and such....what really is the truth? I guess we, the faculty, will never get a straight answer since WE apparently are NOT the College (insert snide remark)
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