The parties to the bargaining met on Friday and mutually agreed to file for mediation. Please see the attached report describing this latest development.

Here is the latest information I have about the various issues of concern to members. As members know, the College is switching to the HR/CMS payroll system in late March/early April. Those few remaining unit members who have not done so should sign up for direct deposit as soon as possible. Unit members who receive notification about changes in the vendor for their 403(b)/tax-deferred annuity accounts should contact our office as soon as possible; a consolidated grievance has been filed about this issue but we need the names of affected members. There is no truth to the rumor that faculty and librarians will be paid on anything less than a twelve-month year (that is, everyone will receive 26 paychecks a year, approximately two per month). The issue of daily attendance, which impacts department chairpersons, is under discussion with the Vice President’s office.

As is announced below, nominations are now open for chapter officers, the Executive Committee, and delegates to the MSCA Delegate Assembly and the MTA Annual Meeting. Although I will not be a candidate for re-election as chapter president, I urge all members to give serious consideration to running for union office. We have never needed your help and participation more than we do now.

In accordance with the Chapter's Constitution and Bylaws, nominations are now open for all Chapter Officers, all members of the Executive Committee and the MSCA Director. These positions have a two-year term beginning May 1, 2000.

Nominations are open for 26 Salem Chapter delegates to the 2000 MSCA Delegate Assembly, to be held Saturday, April 29th, at the Massachusetts College of Art, 621 Huntington Avenue, Boston, and for the 9 (estimated) delegates to the 2000 MTA Annual Meeting, to be held May 5th – 6th in Worcester. Travel expenses will be paid to support attendance at these two meetings. These positions have a one-year term from the date of the meeting.

All Salem Chapter members in good standing -- full-time, part-time and DGCE -- may nominate themselves

for the offices listed. All members in good standing will be eligible to vote in the election, to be held April 5th from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. Polling places will be announced. Absentee balloting will be available.

____ President ____ Treasurer

____ Vice President ____ MSCA Director

____ Secretary

Academic Area A (2 seats) Academic Area B (2 Seats)

Biology Art Philosophy

Chemistry/Physics English Theatre/Speech

Computer Science Foreign Languages

Geological Sciences IDS

Mathematics Music

Academic Area C (2 seats) Academic Area D (2 seats)

Criminal Justice Accounting/Finance Sociology

Economics SFL School Of Nursing

Geography Education School Of Social Work

History Management Library

Political Science Marketing

Psychology OM/MIS

____ At Large Members of the Executive Committee (6 seats)

____ MSCA Delegate Assembly (26 seats)

____ MTA Annual Meeting (9 estimated seats)