February 6, 2001

Last Thursday's bargaining session represented several instances of regressive bargaining that set back the slow but steady progress we had been making towards a settlement. In response to questions about their counterproposal, the employer stated that members who apply for and are denied promotion will continue to be subject to post-tenure review and that the denial of promotion can be considered as part of that review, obviously to the member's disadvantage. More troubling was the employer's insistence that, under post-tenure review, the academic vice president could evaluate all criteria under continuing scholarship, not just the criteria a member had chosen over the seven years in question.

Needless to say, these positions put at risk a sizable proportion of members. The parties agreed to set aside the topic of post-tenure review for a while and will meet to review all other outstanding proposals on February 16th.

Posted elsewhere on the MSCA webpage is an analysis done by the MTA Governmental Relations Committee on the governor's proposed budget for FY 2002. All members of the bargaining committee, as well as members of the MSCA Board of Directors, are aware of the potential problems that the enactment of the tax cut and the slowing of the growth of state revenues holds for us this year and in the years ahead.

As part of a continuing strategy of creative and positive local actions, the Bridgewater Chapter has initiated, through Senator Richard Moore's office, a resolution concerning equitable salaries for faculty and librarians in the state colleges. This resolution, Senate 299, is posted on the MSCA webpage and has been referred to the Committee on Education. Members should send messages of support for this resolution to the Co-Chairs of the Committee: Senator Robert Antonioni of Leominster and Representative Peter Larkin of Pittsfield. We will keep you posted when the bill is scheduled for testimony.

Pat Markunas
MSCA President

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2/7/01