Minutes of the Regular Meeting
April 30, 2004
Salem State College
(amended 6/4/04)

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, J. Stonehouse, G. Tetrault, D. Twiss.

Guests: 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 the April 2, 2004, meeting. The motion passed.

President’s Report:
President Markunas addressed the filling of the vacancies for the MTA Annual Meeting.

It was moved and seconded to adopt the Election of Alternate Delegate procedures for the MTA Annual Meeting. The motion passed.

It was moved and seconded to adopt the MSCA position with regard to the implementation of the SJC decision for members of the state college community and we expect that members who choose to marry after May 17th will be afforded the same respect and consideration that existed for those members who married prior to May 17th. The motion passed unanimously.

President Markunas also discussed BHE/statewide issues, the ’05 state budget, and MSCA Board changes.

Vice President’s Report:
The vice president passed.

Treasurer’s Report:
It was moved and seconded that the secretaries’ mileage, parking and tolls for offsite work be paid in addition to their wages. The motion passed.

The treasurer discussed MSCA budgetary matters and deferred detailed discussion for the MSCA Delegate Assembly

Secretary’s Report:
The secretary passed.

MTA Consultant’s Report:
DGCE Unit:
B. Whelan reported that the DGCE Collective Bargaining Agreement was submitted to the Senate President, the House Speaker and to the Governor due to an MLRC decision. The meaning of this is unclear at this time. After discussion, a consensus was reached not to pursue DGCE unit status for DGCE department chairs and DGCE program coordinators.

Day Unit:
D. Sirutis reported that the parties are going to fact-finding on the one-year extension. Management’s three-year proposal has not yet been submitted to the MSCA.

Sovereign Bank is seeking information on faculty for commercial purposes. Public Records Law could be interpreted to exclude this action.

MSCA Committee Reports:
Ad Hoc Librarians: Part-time librarians may be interested in joining the unit.

Salary Database: To be delivered at Delegate Assembly.

Bargaining (Day): Professional development money will be available as long as there is governance participation.

Grievance Committee: Frank Minasian discussed the backlog of grievances and the great difficulty it is causing for contract enforcement. It is a very serious issue for the union.

Legislation: To be delivered at the Delegate Assembly. Health and Welfare: To be delivered at the Delegate Assembly.

Chapter Presidents’ Reports:
Bridgewater: School’s trustees supportive on faculty concerns. Schools fraternities are also supportive.

Fitchburg: Having difficulty hiring full-time faculty in specialized areas.

Framingham: Looking for new AVP.

Mass. Art: No changes.

MCLA: Walkathon for the library. MMA: Nothing yet on “special mission” proposal.

Salem: Local Board supportive of faculty raises.

Westfield: New college president reporting shortly.

Worcester: Sullivan Bldg. to be reopened. A new president and vice-president were elected to replace Frank Minasian and Dave Twiss. The MSCA Board expressed its appreciation for Frank and Dave’s years of service to the MSCA and the Worcester chapter.

The meeting adjourned at 2:40 p.m.

Gerald Concannon
MSCA Secretary