FAQ: What is Chapter 150E?
Chapter 150E is part of the Massachusetts General Laws that allows unions to conduct their business. See more at https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXXI/Chapter150E. In particular, section 5 has to do with grievances.
FAQ: What are Weingarten Rights?
Weingarten rights guarantee an employee the right to Union representation during an investigatory interview. These rights, established by the Supreme Court, in 1975 in the case of NLRB vs. J. Weingarten Inc., must be claimed by the employee. The supervisor has no obligation to inform an employee that s/he is entitled to Union representation. See more information here.
FAQ: What is MACER? What is DCE MACER?
MACER is the entity on campus, outlined in our Collective Bargaining Agreement (contract) that has representatives from management meet with representatives from the union (BrCCC) to discuss things of “mutual concern.” We do this for both contracts as the contracts are different and they deserve their own time and attention. You are encouraged to bring issues to your chapter leaders for consideration for MACER.
See the Day MACER page for upcoming agenda items related to the Day Contract. And see the DCE MACER page for upcoming agenda items related to the DCE Contract.
FAQ: Is (this meeting) required?
For DCE, probably no. Meetings are not required except currently for an annual Title IX training that compensates your attendance. The rest are voluntary.
For Day, maybe yes, but…
First the “yes”. In all positions in the day contract, under both workload and evaluation, you see the following language: “participating in college, division, department or other related College meetings and/or activities…”
What meetings does Bristol have? Department, Division, All College (formerly Professional Staff), All Academic Area (started by former CAO Sarah Garrett)
Why the “but”?
- Bristol had a past practice under former administrator Dave Feeney to not consider Professional Staff meetings as “required”. Dave Feeney is retired.
- Bristol does not have a past practice of having you sign in to any meetings.
- We no longer have Professional Staff meetings and agendas are drawn up by members of the Presidents Leadership Team with the goal of finding issues that impact the whole college – including faculty and professional staff.
So, are you required to go? Your contract seems to say yes. Some past practices suggest maybe/maybe not. It’s your evaluation. Work your contract is the best advice.