Colleagues:
On March 30 the Executive Committee met with a group of spirited faculty members off campus to discuss the process surrounding next year’s budget and contractual concerns of the Executive Committee. I am writing today in order to provide all of you with an update regarding what happened at the meeting and since and a few other issues.
At the meeting members of the Executive Committee and the Chapter’s attorney provided the membership with information on the budget process and our concern that the college administration did not request the funding necessary to meet the financial requirements of our collective bargaining agreement. In February the college’s administration submitted a proposed operating budget to the County Executive. In that request the college asked the county for 7.4 million dollars more than we received last year. As was stated in a March 1 memorandum sent by Janet Wormack, Senior Vice President for Administrative and Fiscal Services, the 7.4 million dollars would enable the college to provide eligible employees with a 1% general wage adjustment and a 3.5% step increase. Our negotiated increases for next year included a 2.75% general wage adjustment and a 3.5% step increase for all faculty below the maximum. After considerable discussion at the meeting, a vote was taken and it was decided that the Executive Committee should file a grievance against the college due to its failure to request the funds necessary to meet the requirements of our collective bargaining agreement. Said grievance was filed with the college on April 7. The Executive Committee is very aware of the budget situation in the county and the state; however, it is our position that regardless of the fiscal situation in the county and the state, it is incumbent for the college to make the “ask” and to do all it can to meet the terms and conditions of our collective bargaining agreement. At the appropriate time we will provide all of you with a follow up communication on the status of the grievance.
Parking and Transportation Committee Reconvening:
I recently received notification that the administration is interested in reconvening the Parking and Transportation Committee. It is possible that they are considering increasing our parking and transportation fees. I will keep you posted on recommendations made by this committee. Michael Gurevitz and Sharon Piper have agreed to represent us on this committee which has not met yet. Increases in our transportation and parking fees are subject to the terms and conditions of our collective bargaining agreement with the college, Section 9.8.
Negotiations:
We are presently in the 2nd year of our three-year contract and in the fall negotiations will begin again. During these negotiations we will be working to come to an agreement on increases in our salaries, overload ESH, EAP benefits, and other issues. Prior to negotiations, we will announce the members of the negotiating team and we will name the Chief Negotiator.
Year End Meeting:
Our year end meeting will be held on the Germantown Campus on May 17 right after the college-wide meeting, around 11:00 am in Globe Hall. Please plan on attending this meeting so that we can hear from you and vote on important Chapter issues. The meeting is open to all bargaining unit members. At the year-end meeting we will be voting on our officers for next year. This year, same as last, we will be offering members the ability to vote either on site the day of the meeting or electronically prior to the meeting. A call for nominations will be sent to you later today. More information about the elections process will be sent to you prior to the May 17 meeting.
Food Drive:
Last semester the Chapter ran a very successful food drive that enabled us to stock the food pantries on each campus. This year we have decided to have the food drive at the end of year meeting. Boxes will be placed near Globe Hall for your donations. We will make sure to distribute the donated items to the food pantries on each campus. Reminders about the food drive will be sent to all of you prior to the May 17 meeting.
On behalf of the Chapter,
Harry Z.
Harry N. Zarin, Professor/Counselor
President-AAUP
Montgomery College
20200 Observation Dr. SA239
Germantown, MD 20876
240-567-7767
240-567-1985 Fax
240-449-3452 VPN
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