Massachusetts State College Association
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
April 6, 2001
Fitchburg State College Hammond Building

Members Present: J. Alberghene, B. Art, G. Concannon, J. Goss, A. Goyette, W. Mahaney, P. Markunas, J. McHale, J. McKeon, Jr., F. Minasian, G. Price, N. Price, S. Schlosberg, M. Seider, J. Stonehouse, J. Tetrault, D. Twiss.

Guests: D. Sirutis, B. Whalen (MTA Consultants), P. Hogan, M. Fiorentino, C. Hetzel, N Wiegersma (Fitchburg/MSCA)

Visiting Speakers
There were no visiting speakers.

Approval of the Orders of the Day
The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m.

The orders of the day were approved.

The minutes of the meeting of March 9, 2001, were approved.

MSCA Bargaining Committee (Day) Report
It was moved and seconded to go into executive session in order to consider the motions on the agenda. The motion passed.

It was moved and seconded to come out of executive session. It was moved and seconded to recess the meeting so that memos of agreement with management could be read. The motion passed.

It was moved to table the consideration of the contract until the memos are clarified by management. The motion passed.

President’s Report
It was moved and seconded to accept NEA nominees and alternates as amended. The motion passed.

Delegates:
Cheryl Stanley (Westfield)
Susan Sturgeon (Salem)
Deborah Foss (MCLA)
Joel Litvin (Bridgewater)
Joseph Ebiware (MCLA)
Timothy Evans (Salem)
Stanley Jackson (Westfield)

Alternates:
Richard Colgon (Bridgewater)
Arthur Lizie (Bridgewater)

It was moved and seconded to accept the committee nominations for Affirmative Action, Constitution and By-laws and the Crisis Committee. The motion passed.

Arlene Bowen (MMA) – Affirmative Action
C. J. O’Donnell (MMA) – Constitution & Bylaws
Joseph Murphy (MMA) – Crisis Committee

The MSCA president reviewed the upcoming meetings (MSCA, MTA, NEA) MTA dues, consolidated grievances, the HELC Retreat, the BHE meeting and the MSCA presidential office open house.

Vice President’s Report
The MSCA vice president reported on his lobbying activities on behalf of S-0299 and HB 2142 (Health & Safety). He also commented on his activities with regard to an NEA grant that is designed to involve new members in union issues.

Treasurer’s Report
The MSCA Treasurer presented the proposed MSCA budget for 2001-02. It was moved and seconded to discuss the budget. The motion passed.

It was moved and seconded to hold regular meetings of the MSCA Board of Directors alternately at Framingham State College and Worcester State College with at least two meetings to be held at the Mass College of Art. This motion does not include the Board meeting associated with the Annual Delegate Assembly. The motion passed.

MSCA Bargaining Committee (Day) Report (continued)
It was moved and seconded to go into Executive Session to resume discussion on the proposed contract settlement. The motion passed.

A motion was made and seconded to go out of executive session. The motion passed.

The following motions were reported out of executive session. It was moved and seconded to remove from the table the agenda motions on the contract and the ratification process. The motion passed.

It was moved and seconded that all unit members receive a copy of all agreements, amendments and memos of agreement with the BHE before discussion and information sessions conducted by the bargaining committee. The motion passed.

It was moved and seconded that the MSCA Board of Directors recommend ratification by the members of Tentative Agreement of March 26, 2001, with Appendix and Memorandum of Agreement covering the latter half of FY 2001, and a bargaining agreement between the Massachusetts State College Association/MTA/NEA and the Board of Higher Education for the period July 1, 2001, through June 30, 2003, which contains an agency fee provision. The motion passed on a roll call vote (12 yes, 3 no).

It was moved and seconded that the membership ratification vote on the 2001-2003 MSCA/BHE Contract be held on May 1 and 2, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., at a location on each college campus to be determined by the local chapter president. The motion passed.

It was moved and seconded that the 2001-2003 MSCA/BHE contract vote count be held on May 4, at 3:00 p.m., at Worcester State College. The motion passed.

Treasurer’s Report (continued)
It was moved and seconded that both chairs of the Day and Division of Graduate and Continuing Education bargaining committees be funded at last year’s salary rate plus 3%. The motion passed.

It was moved and seconded that the Board of Directors delete the stipend of $6000 for those attending NCHE for Fiscal Year 2002 and also to delete the amount of stipend for the 2002 NEA-RA. The motion passed.

It was moved and seconded to adopt the 2001-02 MSCA budget as amended. The motion passed.

It was moved and seconded to amend the MSCA dues 2001-02 to reflect a $30 dues increase for full-time MSCA members (from $100 to $130). The motion passed. It was moved and seconded to increase part-time dues proportionately. The motion failed.

It was moved and seconded to adopt the proposed MSCA dues for 2001-02 as amended. The motion carried.

New Business
It was moved and seconded to give the MSCA Friend of Education Award to MTA’s Ed Sullivan at this year’s Delegate Assembly. The motion passed.

It was moved and seconded to recognize Donna Sirutis at the Delegate Assembly for her work on our behalf. The motion passed.

The meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m.

Gerald Concannon, MSCA Secretary