11-23-2022
58 Attendees
BRCCC Emergency Meeting for WTR
Mike Geary: This meeting is to discuss WTR—what is it? What should we do and not do?
Tom Grady: Board of Directors
· Last Friday, discussion of WTR at BOD meeting
· Bargaining update—not very positive
· Surprised that agreement for compensation for distance learning would not be touched, but did not want to severely modify
· Later, Claudine Barnes said there would be a tentative agreement
o Not clear which is “true”: negotiations going well or not
· Northern Essex also is on WTR for reasons other than contract
· Two other directors said they would support our causes and go on WTR
· Vote passed; go on WTR unless agreement on Nov 29
· Many questions about NECHE and losing members’ voice at the table—could we lose our voice or would we hold managements “feet to the fire”?
Mike: under WTR, members should work contract hours and nothing extra. Think about: what will impact management that will not impact me. For example: answering emails to management after hours; if taking a personal day or day off, no work; make motions to adjourn all meetings; if meeting is not adjourned, do not participate in the meeting; do college service only for the 7 hours per week per the contract; no volunteering for search committee, or attending meetings that are not required.
JP Nadeau: NECHE work—members’ voice in the self-study is critical; we are planning to weave WTR into the self-study, including the need for it and why it is happening; responsibilities for faculty: seven hours of college service. Example: if someone has 18 advisees, keep track of how many hours a week for advising; with professional staff, much more murky—should keep track of hours.
Tom: WTR is a work slow down; it should not be member vs. member; reported that the President told the BOT and the Foundation board that any complaints or poor moral comes from a small group of malcontents; our MACER experience has been less than satisfactory, BrCCC only putting items on the agenda, not administration; Please reach out to ex com with any issues or questions about WTR.
Mike: he told his students that union on WTR and if they heard any rumors to bring them to him; others might want to educate their students, too.
Question: looks like college is getting ready to hire some people, but what do we do if we can’t be on a search committee?
Mike: maybe if the positions are the ones that are at issue for WTR, then we need to participate; but we also need to be sure of our “asks.”
JP: we need know to what lines we are looking for to fill first? Not looking for all positions to be filled; let union know what the strategy you would like to see for hiring.
Tom: any motions to adjourn meetings should not come from untenured faculty or staff; if asked to do something that might not fit in with WTR, best to do what is asked and then grieve later.
Member: If you have an opportunity to choose what to work on, work on NECHE; there will be an opportunity to speak to team at visit; accreditation is very important to college and all of us.
Member: I’d like to know the expectation of NECHE because I do have it on my E7?
Mike: you need to know how many hours of service on your E7; maybe track with calendar?
Member: Is professional development required or not?
Mike: If prof development paid, then it benefits the member; if mandatory, we must attend
JP: We don’t want to do anything to hurt members; for example: sabbatical committee should continue its work.
Mike: management has been respectful of WTR so far…
Member: how about facilitators for professional development? If a guest speaker is scheduled to speak at a PD, should they not do so because of WTR?
Tom: should leave up to member
Member: committee meets every month, but there have been no break out groups; there was a recent discussion about doing so; we were asked to sign up for break-out-group—should we?
Mike: it would depend on if the hours add up to your 7 hours of college service
Motion on the floor: We move that Laura Douglas urge Management Team representing the College Presidents work to complete bargaining.
Seconded
Discussion: motion needs more specific language
Tom: at statewide, action so far has moved because presidents have urged teams to do so
Member: want to see that Laura Douglas cares about this as much as we do
Friendly Amendment: We move that Laura Douglas urge the Management Team representing the Community College Presidents to conclude bargaining for the Day contract by November 29, 2022.
Seconded
Further discussion? None
Vote: 89% participation; 97%: yes
Member: how often can E7 be changed?
Mike: can be negotiated between you and your supervisor
When will climate survey results be released?
Mike: white paper in spring semester
Tom: it is important that everyone responds to survey; chairs and coordinators please reach out to those in your area and ask them to complete it.
Member: Council work—some items may get tabled because of WTR; told by admin that council meetings cannot entertain motion to adjourn if facilitator of meeting is paid.
JP: if co-chairing, could do so in a different way; could support members work in different capacity—office hour where members can check in? How can it be a council if people in council are not participating? Need to tie up positions….WTR “asks”
1. 7 vacancies within the Library Learning Commons that have depleted and overextended existing staff members.
2. Unfilled vacancies in Advising and other SSEM areas that have likewise resulted in overextending existing staff members.
3. Lack of clarity about Suzanne Buglione’s current role with the college and administration’s unwillingness to disclose her role.
4. Excessive vacancies within middle management across the college as well as unfilled faculty and professional staff lines.
5. Inability of Management’s Bargaining Team to produce a sensible offer and negotiate a tentative agreement with MCCC’s Bargaining Team.
Mike: met with new HR person; impression at the moment is that he is very receptive to our issues; also will investigate SB’s role at the college
Open positions: Taunton librarian, director of LLC, one librarian for each campus, Dean of BSSE, director of advising, one lab tech, director of distance learning
JP: Also important to give rationale for asks; and we should agree with that rationale
Mike: Maybe ask for some positions to be posted and then a timetable for others
Tom: Maybe make list and ask members to vote? Ask people in areas to come up with rationale? What is the master plan for administration?
Member: important to ask administration to be transparent; also maybe a public show of solidarity; next steps if Laura Douglas doesn’t meet our demand? Maybe a rally?
Mike: Any other questions?
Member: next step–identify key positions to be filled?
Mike: ex com meets next Tuesday and will discuss next steps and let chapter know; reach out if anyone wants to advocate for positions to be filled.
Meeting adjourned