August 28, 2007
Dear MSCA Faculty and Librarians:
I am pleased to report that today the parties were able to settle a one-year extension of the current collective bargaining agreement, effective July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008.
This extension provides for a 3.5% increase in all full-time and full-time equivalent salaries and to the stipends paid to day unit part-time faculty retroactive to July 1, 2007. In addition, longevity adjustments totalling $350,000 will be paid to all full-time faculty and librarians who were employed as of July 1, 2007, retroactive to that date. The state's contribution to the Health & Welfare Trust (which covers dental benefits) will increase by $1/week/FTE member effective January 1, 2008.
Other continuing payments and adjustments (promotion and terminal degree increases, chair stipends, professional development and post-tenure review for the AY 2007-08) will continue as provided in the current agreement. Several non-economic language agreements reached by the parties, none of which the MSCA Bargaining Committee considers to be a concession, will be included in this settlement as well.
We are pleased to report that management's objectionable non-economic language proposals that were posted on the MSCA website earlier this summer were withdrawn by management's representatives.
The MSCA Board of Directors will consider its recommendation to the membership as to ratification of this agreement at its meeting of September 7, 2007. We expect a ratification vote to be scheduled for the end of September. Only then can the process of funding this contract extension begin.
On behalf of the MSCA Bargaining Committee, I want to thank all members who sent emails or other messages to the governor's office in support of our positions at the bargaining table. I would also like to thank Ed Sullivan, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Teachers Association, who was unwavering in his efforts to secure additional monies for our contract at the highest levels of the Patrick administration.
A detailed description of the contract extension will be provided as soon as possible. Thank you again for your support of the MSCA Bargaining Committee's efforts on your behalf.
Pat Markunas MSCA President
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