Minutes from Union Executive Committee Meeting

Present –Jackson Schultz, Jeri Sykes, Dennis Cecere, Denise Pons-Leone, Wendy Rolfe, Elizabeth Seitz, Will Silvio, Margaret McAllister, Peter Cokkinias, David Scott, Danny Harrington, Helen Deborah Lewis, Stephanie Reich, Peggy Codding, Michael Johnson

1. Jackson opened the meeting and explained that the college has put language into the contract that we didn’t agree to. We discussed our options. Danny recalls a conversation that happened between himself and the college’s attorney. We should look at how we can use this situation to our advantage. Perhapsthe one-year probationary period could apply to Assistant Professors only. The committee discussed the vetting process.
   

2. Jackson asked if anyone would be interested in participating in the college’s working group on sexual harassment.
   

3. We discussed proposals for the upcoming BTOT sessions.
   

4. There are concerns regarding the current chair searches as they are being held up due to background checks.
   

5. We discussed the voice department policy on proficiencies during finals week.
   

6. We would like to contact HR regarding open enrollment and BOCO faculty.
   

7. A faculty member has concerns about communications with TransAmerica and the college regarding the defined benefit plan.

Minutes from Union Executive Committee Meeting

Present – Michael Abraham, Dennis Cecere,Peter Cokkinias, Marti Epstein, Danny Harrington, Helen Lewis, Margaret McAllister, Jeff Perry, Denise Pons, Stephanie Reich, Wendy Rolfe, Tom Stein, Jackson Schultz, David Scott, Elizabeth Seitz, Will Silvio, and Jeri Sykes.

1. Department reps meeting to discuss the contract. Jackson opened the meeting and went over the contract details.
   

2. We need to get the students involved going forward, better communication and a grass roots effort.
   

3. A media person to connect with local press would be a good idea. David Scott has been working with AFT-MA and getting the word out to a large degree. Michael Johnson has taken over the social media piece as well.
   

4. We discussed the outreach process to faculty, the surveys that we have done and ideas going forward.
   

5. Can we figure out where a student’s tuition goes? Percentage of it to faculty, facilities, administration, etc.

Minutes from Union Executive Committee Meeting

Present – Michael Abraham, Dennis Cecere, Peter Cokkinias, Marti Epstein, Danny Harrington, Helen Lewis, Margaret McAllister, Jeff Perry, Denise Pons, Stephanie Reich, Wendy Rolfe, Tom Stein, Jackson Schultz, David Scott, Elizabeth Seitz, Will Silvio, and Jeri Sykes.

1. Jackson opened the meeting. We discussed the bargain. 10 conversions a year for three years is great, the raises are what we’ve had for the past four years, and we have a lot more work to do next time.
   

2. We discussed meeting with the Board of Trustees.
   

3. Classroom conditions were discussed – there is a lot of work to be done to get them up to speed.
   

4. Berklee has taken over 169 Mass. Ave. and some BoCo faculty have been moved over to teach. The conditions are not very good and we may be filing a grievance.
   

5. Once we get the final contract language we need to ratify it as a faculty. We will look at on-line voting possibilities.
   

6. Andrew Shryock has been nominated to join the Executive Committee as a councilor. Jackson made a motion to vote and the vote was unanimous to bring Andrew on the Executive Committee.
   

7. We discussed having a banquet for the executive committee for the bargain and the three-year contract once it’s ratified.
   

8. The BoCo faculty and their reactions to the contract were discussed.
   

9. Grassroots approach to reaching the faculty was discussed. We will start with the department reps.
   

10. Michael Johnson has taken over the social media work for the union.