The Word from CSEA
Columbus State Education Association Newsletter of June 6, 2006
WORK TO THE RULE TO END
PROGRAM COORDINATORS AND LEAD INSTRUCTORS RELEASED
The Executive Committee of CSEA is suspending further use of Work to the Rule at this time, effective Summer Quarter 2006.
The decision also affects program coordinators and lead instructors. CSEA members are free to accept or decline these responsibilities, effective Summer Quarter. Any faculty who intend to resume these roles should discuss their decision with their department chairs immediately.
Responses to last week's straw poll indicated that, after 3 quarters, members favored discontinuing Work to the Rule. 58% voted to end current actions, and 42% voted to maintain them. These numbers reflect the informal feedback members have been providing over the past quarter as well as the strategic assessment that union leadership has made regarding future actions, which will focus on building organizational infrastructure and membership.
The Executive Committee believes that this action will provide the new Provost, Dr. Kay Adkins, with an opportunity to establish an open dialogue with faculty, a majority of whom voiced no confidence in the President 2 weeks ago. CSEA leaders will initiate this dialogue to demonstrate the Association's commitment to addressing issues that led to the current state of affairs on campus.
The Executive Committee recognizes that some faculty will continue to abstain from work on committees and on a range of other activities. Also, since lead instructor and program coordinator roles are also voluntary (and additional) duties, some members are likely to choose to not resume roles they held previously.
However, whether faculty perform these functions or not, it is critical that faculty not perform ANY lead instructor/program coordinator functions without receiving the appropriate reassigned time for such responsibilities. If you have any problems related to resuming or not resuming responsibilities you performed in the past, contact your Association representative immediately.
The withdrawal of program coordinators and lead instructors, as well as working to the rule, began in response to members' feedback to Association leadership and OEA staff last summer while we were in negotiations. At that time, members made clear what they were willing to do and not do in support of our collective bargaining efforts, and this information determined the actions that have been in effect since then.
PRINTED VERSION OF IMPLEMENTED TERMS
In a meeting May 26, members of the Negotiating Team completed a review of the College's implemented terms. Given the uncertain legal status of implementation in the absence of a ratified contract, some language remains unresolved. However, printed copies of the terms that full-time faculty are currently working under should be available to all bargaining unit members during Summer Quarter.
The Word is produced by the Communications Committee of the Columbus State Education Association. We welcome your comments, news, and insights.
Steve Abbott, President / x5096
Karl Rieppel, Vice President / x2500
Amy Brubaker, Secretary and Association Representative / x5068
Greg Goodhart, Treasurer / x5431
Darrell Minor, Parliamentarian / x5310
Bill Mundy, Association Representative / x5176
Dr. Jane McDowell, Association Representative / x2656
Dave Busch, Association Representative / x5079
Dr. Charlie Gallucci, Association Representative / x5499
Leslie Smith, Association Representative / x5302
Dr. Wendy McCullen-Vermillion, Association Representative / x2693
Lisa Schneider, Association Representative / x5124