June 3, 2008

Dear Colleagues,

The MSCA conducted a successful informational picketing of the town hall meeting of the Readiness Project yesterday afternoon at Framingham State College. We were joined by staff and members of at least four other higher education unions as well as MTA leadership. A more detailed report will appear in the summer edition of the MSCA Perspective.

The purpose was to get Governor Patrick's attention and give him our message that we need a fair and equitable salary offer at the negotiation table, an offer that he has yet to authorize. As a result of our presence, Patrick Education Adviser, and Bridgewater State College President, Dana Mohler-Faria asked three of us to meet with the governor immediately before the event. The meeting was brief but the governor listened.

Governor Patrick then walked over to greet the union members who spent 90 minutes holding signs, banners and distributing leaflets. He then invited the group to join the town hall meeting and asked if the group would meet with him privately immediately following the event.

Approximately 25 of the demonstrators meet with Governor Patrick for nearly 30 minutes. He was joined by President Mohler-Faria and the incoming Secretary of Education, Paul Reville. Although he did not commit to authorizing a salary offer and explained the difficulties involved, he heard from us directly and we will continue to urge him, whenever the opportunity arises, to get a fair and equitable offer on the table.

In Solidarity,
C. J. O'Donnell
MSCA President

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6/4/08