March 27, 2001

I am pleased to announce that the parties reached an oral, tentative agreement yesterday at Worcester State College. The final agreements will be reduced to writing, reviewed by both parties, and initialed by both parties. If all goes well, this last step will take place on Friday afternoon and the MSCA Board of Directors will act on a recommendation for ratification at its regular meeting on April 6th, to be held at Fitchburg State College. Once the Board has acted, a ratification vote will be scheduled prior to the end of spring semester.

A summary of the tentative agreement, as well as a special issue of the MSCA Perspective, are being prepared for distribution to the membership. Once the tentative agreement has been initialed, the summary will be distributed to the campuses.

Negotiations will continue on the issues of distance education and intellectual property rights.

On behalf of the membership, I would like to commend the work of the MSCA Bargaining Committee: Brad Art (Westfield/Chair), Paul McGee (Salem), Frank Minasian (Worcester), Ned Price (Framingham), Sam Schlosberg (Mass Art), C. J. O'Donnell (Mass Maritime), Gail Price (Bridgewater), Len Paolillo (MCLA) and Jack McKeon (Fitchburg). Special recognition should be given to MTA Consultant Donna Sirutis for her diligence and professionalism in the face of great obstacles. I would also like to thank MTA Director of Higher Education Priscilla Lyons, who attended the sessions during the past year, and MTA Executive-Director Ed Sullivan, whose support throughout the process was crucial.

Pat Markunas
MSCA President

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3/27/01