March 19, 2001 The parties met at Worcester State College on Friday, March 16th for about eleven hours. We are scheduled to meet again on Thursday and Friday of this week. Once again, both parties agreed not to release any information, including subjective comments about the status of negotiations, until after our next meeting(s).
This "news blackout," though frustrating to the membership, is necessary to allow both teams to work on the important issues still on the table. As your president, I have appreciated everyone's support and understanding about the need to conduct negotiations in confidence. Your continued patience is appreciated as well.
The 2000-2003 DGCE/BHE Contract was executed on Friday, March 16th. Pay increases for credit courses currently being taught in DGCE will be retroactive to January 1, 2001. The March issue of the MSCA Perspective will have information about the new Visiting Senior Instructor rank and how members can apply for appointment at this new rank or at a rank higher than currently held.
The Annual MSCA Delegate Assembly will be held on Saturday, April 28th, at Bridgewater State College. The Delegate Assembly is the policy-making body of the MSCA and must approve the annual budget and dues for the membership. Each chapter is allocated a certain number of delegates based on the size of its membership, and all delegates must be nominated and elected at large by the chapter. Delegates are not chosen or appointed by either the chapter president or the local executive committee -- every member of the union has a right to run for a seat at the Assembly.
Information about the Delegate Assembly will be distributed on your campus soon. This is your opportunity to bring your issues of concern before the Assembly and have them enacted as policy. It is your chance to ask questions about the budget and how your dues dollars are spent. I urge you to take advantage of your right to represent your chapter at the Assembly. If you have any questions, please contact your local chapter president or me directly at pmarkunas@aol.com.
Pat Markunas MSCA President
MSCA Home/Messages to the Membership 3/19/01