MSCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
Minutes of the Regular Meeting December 5, 2003
Framingham State College

Members Present: J. Ambacher, B. Art, G. Concannon, N. George, P. Hogan, P. Markunas, P. McGee, J. McKeon, F. Minasian, C. O’Donnell, L. Paolillo, G. Price, S. Schlosberg, M. Seider, C. Stigliano, ,J. Stonehouse, G. Tetrault, D. Twiss.

Guests: P. Lyons, D. Sirutis, R. Whalen (MTA)

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

It was moved and seconded to approve the orders of the day. The motion passed.

It was moved and seconded to approve the Minutes of November 7, 2003. The motion passed.

President's Report:
President Markunas reported that Charles Stigliano (Mass Art) has been elected to the Board. The Board thanked M. Seiden for his service to the MSCA as a director from Framingham State College.

Joanne Newcomb (Bridgewater/MSCA) was appointed to represent the chapter on the DGCE/MSCA bargaining committee. President Markunas discussed actions in support of funding for Higher Education contracts including her op-ed piece in the Globe, the No More Zeros campaign in the MSCA Perspective, legislative activities, HEUU activities and strategy meetings with MTA officials, representatives of management and legislators.

It was moved and seconded that the MSCA recommend that the MTA refuse to support candidates for legislative office unless they support funding for the higher education contracts. The motion passed unanimously.

It was moved and seconded that the MSCA support the picketing at the Democratic National Convention starting July 26, 2004, at the Fleet Center in Boston. The motion passed. It was moved and seconded that the MSCA actively join with colleagues in HEUU to elect delegates to both the 2004 Democratic and Republican State Conventions as well as to demonstrate at the Democratic and Republican State Conventions. The motion passed unanimously.

It was moved and seconded that the MSCA Board recommend that HEUU consider plans to picket the 2004 Republican State Convention. The motion passed unanimously.

Vice-President’s Report:
Vice President Minasian discussed his work with new members, liability workshops, funding for higher education contracts, and the MSCA legislation committee. He warned the Board that “if this union wants to stay alive, it must preserve the state college unit.” He condemned independent actions by the different colleges.

Secretary’s Report:
The Secretary spoke to reorganization issues and retirement information as reported in the Perspective.

MTA Reports:
D. Sirutis and P. Lyons discussed working with and contributing to political campaigns, payroll tax problems, retirees’ privacy issues, legal services requests and research on these and other issues of importance to the membership. B. Whalen requested information on the structure of DGCE on the various campuses including coordination, compensation and graduate education practices. Higher education and the BHE were discussed at some length and this discussion led to the following motion:

It was moved and seconded to have the MSCA bargaining team institute a study of the effectiveness of the BHE in furthering the development of higher education in Massachusetts. The motion passed.

It was moved and seconded to take from the table the motion for the MSCA Board of Directors to meet with the state college Council of Presidents. The motion passed unanimously.

It was moved and seconded for the MSCA Board of Directors to meet with the Council of Presidents to discuss common concerns and possible solutions. The agenda will be determined and the meeting will not include lunch. The motion passed.

It was moved and seconded to change the order of business and hear the MSCA Committee Reports before the local chapter president’s reports. The motion passed.

MSCA Committee Reports:
Day Bargaining: B. Art discussed the false offer made at the table and MSCA’s revulsion over this tactic.
DGCE: D. Twiss said that mediators have been assigned even though a bargaining meeting has been scheduled.
Grievance: F. Minasian discussed the nurse’s successful pay adjustment at Fitchburg State College.
Legislation: Covered in the Vice President’s report.
Ad Hoc Librarian: Passed. Salary Database: Passed.
BHE/MTA Health and Welfare: Nothing to report.

Chapter Presidents’ Reports:
Worcester – laptops to be required of freshmen.
Westfield – new president: Vicky Carwein.
Salem – slow on new hires. Mass Maritime – “White Paper” threatens bargaining unit.
MCLA – Charter school issues in North Adams. Teacher education involvement. Grants require private/public participation. -3- Mass. Art – Going forward with new partnership with BHE.
Framingham – problems with GIC and Express Scripts authorizations.
Fitchburg – It was moved and seconded to recognize John McKeon for his years of service to the MSCA and the Fitchburg Chapter. The motion passed unanimously.
Bridgewater S. C. – Governance issues. Concerns about uniform application of the collective bargaining agreement.

It was moved and seconded to affirm the MSCA Board’s decision to meet at Framingham and Worcester State Colleges with the hope/expectation that hot lunches and phone services will be provided. The motion passed.

It was moved and seconded that in support of the principles in the Mission statement adopted at the National Labor assembly of USLAW on October 25, 2003, the Board of Directors of MSCA resolves to affiliate and help actively support and promote USLAW, and to pay our suggested annual dues of $250 for the coming year.

It was moved and seconded to refer this motion to the 2004 MSCA Delegate Assembly. The motion passed.

The meeting adjourned at 3:08 p.m.

Gerald Concannon, Secretary, MSCA