AFT Local 2373
Executive Committee Meeting
May 10, 2011
Minutes
President Karen Siefring called the meeting to order at 1:50 p.m.
1. Approval of Agenda – On a motion by Faye Robinson, seconded by Jon Foglein, the agenda was approved.
2. Review of Minutes – the minutes were approved by consensus.
3. President’s Report (see below) – President Siefring introduced the new Executive Committee members, including April Ellerbe, Co-Chair of the Good and Welfare Committee. April works in the Student Services Center of Education Hall; Dan McFarland, who will serve as Web Master. Dan works in the Dept of Marketing and Information Systems.
President Siefring also reported that University President Farish’s last official duty will be Graduation. Dr. Houshmand, Provost, will move into the President’s office after Graduation.
Concerns about money and summer class enrollment have been raised by members. If you have heard anything, please let Karen know.
4. Officers’ Reports
A. Vice President Manny Pontes – Classes will be looked at. Administration and the Board look at cost per credit hour. Department Chairs are getting six hours of release time during the regular academic year. They do not receive this in the summer program, which reflects in the cost, e.g., $1500 per credit hour versus $150 per credit hour. A question was raised about classroom availability. It was also asserted that faculty compared to students is out of line in some areas. Manny stated that Administration and the Board are also considering the number of empty seats. He provided this information because members should be aware. Another member raised concern over the qualifications of the students being admitted to dual majors, e.g., in math and education. It was suggested that the Enrollment Management position was somewhat designed to address this issue.
B. Treasurer – Treasurer Chris Lacke passed out the proposed budget. He pointed out that a lot of the items were kept a the same level as last year. Postage was increased because of prices and because of the increased mailings. One additional mailing is expected to be information/voting regarding negotiations, but the Budget Committee was unsure what those costs might be. On a motion by Chuck Linderman, seconded by Jerry Hough, the budget was approved as amended.
5. Committee Reports
A. Membership – Chair Toni Jennings referred members to the attached report.
B. AFT Awareness – Chair Lori Block also referred members to her attached written report. 1. She also reported that due to the small quantity of food donated, we would only be giving to the Pitman Food Pantry. 2. The Committee was unable to participate in the March of Dimes walk-a-thon as no one volunteered to serve as captain. 3. The Committee is currently sponsoring a drive for new backpacks filled with pencils, tablets, and other school supplies. Groups are encouraged to donate. 4. Angels of God will have a table at the Pitman Craft Show. 5. The Committee will be discussing the possibility of sponsoring coffee for students during finals week in the future with the Membership Committee, and will seek sponsors such as Dunkin’ Donut or Wawa to defray the costs. 6. The Committee is looking into advertising in church bulletins. 7. The Committee will also use more of their budget in the near future. One project is ordering yard signs for members to display in front of their homes. On a motion by Jon Foglein, seconded by Jerry Hough, the Committee was authorized to order 100 signs.
C. Other – 1. Parking – Chair Jerry Hough reported that the University is considering transitioning to Banner to use ID cards to enter gated parking lots. Students could benefit by getting reduced cost. Over the summer, Robinson “Circle” is expected to be redone to provide more parking, and consideration is being given to using some of the paved area in front of Wilson Hall. A third draft of Parking Lot A is also being done. 2. Good & Welfare – Co-Chairs April Ellerbe and Faye Robinson met with Karen Siefring, Chuck Linderman, and Linda Parthemer to discuss making donations to the AFT Scholarship Fund in the event of a member’s death. Faye will meet with the retirees to discuss acknowledgements of Retiree Chapter members’ illnesses and deaths. 3. Professional Staff – Chair Jon Foglein announced that their meeting was postponed until next week.
6. Old Business
A. Negotiations Update – Nick Yovnello reported that the State has not yet met with the Council. That is now expected to occur on May 16. The State has met with the CWA several times, but has refused to negotiation on healthcare. The Governor is insisting on legislation on this matter. Senator Sweeney put in a proposed bill which is better than the Governor’s. Nick expressed the believe that the Governor will dance the unions around to the point of impasse, go to mediation, then ignore the mediator’s recommendations. Nick believes this will draw out over the summer. Nick testified before the Committee for Higher Education Round Table. They appear to be siding with the Governor. They are pushing the capitol bond issue. They should look at the deferred maintenance, but they are pushing new buildings. Before new buildings go up, there should no be so much maintenance to do. A meeting is scheduled on May 16. We should no more by May 24. Nick expects that something will happen in June. Another issue of legislation is that Lampert put in a change to tenure. She suggested a one year probation period. She claims there is a “clamor” for this. In response to a question, it was noted that the current contract remains in place until a new contract is in place or the parties reach an impasse. The Governor is pulling out all medical clauses because he claims that is not to be negotiated. The Union has a past history at PERC of winning. The Governor has been eliminating personnel at PERC. A question was raised about retirement at 25 years of service. The Governor wants to change it to 30 years of service. A court ruling says once 25 years is in there is a property right. The Governor is going after co-pay and capping the pension system. In response to a question that if 25 years is in, would people be required to meet the higher requirement of 30 years or would the 25 years apply. Nick responded that it is those people who do not have 25 years in who could be affected. This, however, is not guaranteed. Another question was whether we are tied to any agreement reached between the State and the CWA. Nick responded that this governor is not really interested in any serious agreement.
B. We Are One –Activities to continue at every meeting.
C. Local AFT - Use of Social Media continues.
D. Retirees Informational Workshop & Will and Estate Planning Workshop – May 16
E. President Farish’s Farewell Gift – Still collecting $5 donations from anyone who wishes to donate.
F. Newsletter – we need articles. Those who attended the Higher Education Conference in Philadelphia are encouraged to contribute.
G. Letterhead/ T-Shirts Design Selection – Jerry Hough agreed that he would try to have it done by the June meeting so people could vote on the design at that meeting.
H. Office Staff Review – AFT office hours will be Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from May 23 to August 18.
I. Other
7. New Business
A. New Exec – The President can appoint three to the Executive Committee. Karen asked for nominations out of the newly appointed ranks or newly tenured to start developing these people in leadership roles.
B. Conducting Business – Comments have been received that we don’t have time for business because too much time is spent on reports. Committee Chairs were asked to submit reports in writing. The reports could be read prior to meetings, with only questions and answers presented at meetings. Karen suggested that anyone spending AFT money should submit a written report for it. Karen also noted that all ordering should be done through the AFT office.
C. Interns – Karen informed the membership that the Local will be looking for interns to support project-based learning, and to assist with our website, establishing a secure website to enable members to discuss issues without concerns about FOIA requests and separate ourselves from the University, and other computer-related issues such as providing reports on the website. Karen stated that we are looking for someone for Fall, Spring, and Summer. Dan McFarland will oversee these interns activities. In order to provide stipends to these interns for their services, Karen asked Chris to increase the budget for Interns to $3000.
D. May 19 New AFT Exec Invite from Dr. Houshmand – Karen reminded the officers to respond to the invitation extended by Dr. Houshmand to join him at his home in the Old Founders Inn, second house on Main Street from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on May 19.
E. Medco Phone Call for Members’ Personal info – Karen informed members that Medco should not be calling for personal information. Even if the request is legitimate, the company should already have that personal information. Members are advised not to give it to callers.
F. June Exec TBA – This meeting will be combined with the General Membership meeting to be held at the Camden Campus.
G. Camden Campus Meeting – Attendees indicated that Tuesday, June 14 at Noon would be the best date for the June meeting.
H. FY ‘12 Meeting Calendar – preparations – Karen will be meeting with the Senate President to coordinate dates. Hope to have a proposed calendar in time for the June meeting.
I. AFT Rep for the IERP Advisory Board – A volunteer is being sought to fill this position. The members of the Executive Committee were asked to notify Karen if anyone is interested.
J. AFT Office Staff Appreciation Day – There was no objection to this proposal.
K. Unit Member Request for funds for student – The Executive Committee declined this music student’s request for funds to cover accommodation expenses in New York to participate in a seminar. It was noted that there were a lot of other venues for her request, including going through the CGCE or the Dean’s office. The student did not submit her request at the time scholarships were rewarded, the event does not fit within the guidelines for scholarships awarded by the AFT.
L. Other – Chuck Linderman spoke with a representative of Rutgers Management/Labor Institute regarding its power point presentation. That organization will provide AFT Local 2373 with a copy to use in recruiting new members beginning this Fall.
On a motion by Chuck Linderman, seconded by Faye Robinson, the meeting was adjourned at 3:25 p.m.
Meetings: Local: AFT Exec Committee Meeting TBA for June
AFT General Membership Meeting May 16, 2011@1:45 p.m. S.C. 144 Council: Negotiation Sessions May 16, 24 & June 8 (Adjunct AM - F/T, PT PM) in Trenton - place TBA AFT NJ State Federation Delegate Assembly Meeting - TBA
AFT Local 2373
President’s Report
April 15, 2011
Since last exec.
-Cost Center Taskforce Meeting. 3/30 -Gary Hunter Award Selection Committee meeting. 3/30 -AFT Issues in Higher Education National Conference. 4/1-3 (Presented session on 4/1) -AFT Officers’ Meeting with Houshmand, Newell, and Zazzali. Various reorganization topics discussed. 4/7
Since last meeting
-Presidential Search Committee Meeting. 4/15 -Lunch meeting with Interim Provost. Discussed reorganizations and other university matters.4/21 -Member Recruitment lunch with Manny Pontes and prospect. 4/25 -Good and Welfare Committee planning and direction lunch meeting with co-chairs Faye Robinson and April Ellerbe, plus Chuck Linderman and Linda Parthemer. 4/27 -Farewell Reception/remarks for President Farish. 4/29 -Several individual meetings with members regarding various issues.