Salem Chapter Newsletter President's Message - Amy Everitt - November 8, 2011

Hi everyone,

Good morning. I hope this finds you well. There have been some developments with regard to three very important issues. First, the final state revenues have been reported and we have, in fact, hit the triggers for 6 months of retroactive salary increases, as well as an acceleration of our 3.5% increase of June 30, 2012 to December 31, 2011. MSCA President C.J. O'Donnell has sent a letter to President Meservey, Chair of the Council of Presidents, requesting that these increases be paid. Specific details are included in his letter.

Second, both the House and Senate of passed versions of the Pension Bill that includes language allowing state employees to move out of the Optional Retirement Plan to the state retirement system. While the MTA sees the Pension Bill as a decrease in benefits to future employees, the MSCA is very happy that the ORP amendment has been included. Both versions will now go into committee to come to agreement on differences in language. Please see the second attachment regarding the ORP.

Third, the Sabbatical Repeal bill has been reported out of committee favorably. It was reported not as a repeal, but as a change from requiring 7 years of service to 6. This is a good thing and is equal to others, however, a change in the bill still restricts our sabbaticals to legislative language rather than bargained benefits. In particular, the change does not allow us to initiate deferment language that we have already negotiated during the last round of bargaining. We will continue to work on educating key members of the legislation and hope that the bill will leave House Ways and Means as a repeal. We are watching both of these bills very carefully and will keep you updated as they move through the process.

I remind you to submit your professional development requests to the Provost. The deadline for the $682.00 professional development is December 31, 2011 and the application can be found on the Academic Affairs web page.

Please save Thursday December 8, 4:00-7:00 for the annual holiday party at the Hawthorne Hotel. Invitations will be coming soon.

Finally, if you are up for a personnel action, please contact me or Caitlin Corbett immediately if you have any questions or concerns. Remember that there are clearly defined time lines for responding to your evaluation. I will keep you apprised of any and all developments as they unfold.

Thanks, Amy

Amy L. Everitt,
Ed.D., ATC Professor, Sport & Movement Science Department
Salem State University
MSCA/Salem Chapter President
MSCA Vice President 978.542.6576