What's Really Happening
Columbus State Education Association Newsletter of August 25, 2002
MEDIATION ABOUT TO BEGIN
Our Negotiating Team has reached tentative agreement on a wide range of issues, including significant portions of grievance and disciplinary/corrective action procedures. The Team has not been able to reach agreements regarding workload and compensation (including various benefits). In an effort to resolve the remaining issues, CSEA filed for mediation; the College agreed that this would be a mutually beneficial step.
The negotiating teams will continue discussions this week until mediation begins Friday. The mediator will work with both negotiating teams to reach agreements on outstanding issues. Mediation will continue the following week on September 5-6. If the Association and the College are unable to agree on all issues, the remaining issues will be submitted to a fact-finder agreed to by both CSEA and the College. Each side will present to this fact-finder documentation supporting its position on the issues (probably near the end of September). Within two weeks the fact-finder will issue a report to settle the issues.
The fact-finder's report will be considered acceptable unless a majority of the College's Board of Trustees or a majority of Association members votes to reject it. And only members of the Association will vote to accept or reject the report. So it makes sense to renew your CSEA membership (or file your initial application) today. Look for your renewal/enrollment notice in the mail.
MEETINGS OF ALL FULL-TIME FACULTY
There will be a general meeting of all full-time faculty (union members or not) on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 10 and 11, from 3-5 p.m. in the Media Room on the second floor of the Ohio Education Association building. It's less than a five-minute drive from campus, at 225 East Broad Street (corner of 5th Street). We have scheduled two days in hope that your schedule can accommodate one of these days (the same material will be available at both meetings).
We want all faculty to gather to discuss the negotiations, the implications of our workload and salary proposals, the long-term goals of the Association, and the interests we share with the College as well as the specialized interests we have as teachers in a community college. Since we will have been in mediation sessions during the preceding two weeks, we anticipate that you will have many questions and that we will have important information to share with you.
The Association Negotiating Team will report on whether they were able to reach tentative agreements through mediation, or whether our proposals will be presented to a fact-finder. You will also be able to pay your 2002-2003 dues at his meeting if you choose. Remember that only union members will have a voice in acceptance or rejection of a fact-finder's report and the ratification vote on the contract. You will receive a membership enrollment form in the mail if you have not received one already.
There's meter parking (6 quarters) on the street and a parking garage immediately behind the OEA building, but it makes sense to carpool with a friend, especially if it's someone you've shared your questions and concerns with.
UNDECIDED ISSUES
We anticipate reaching agreement on disciplinary/corrective action, promotion and tenure procedures, and several other items.
We have not yet reached agreement on salary (to date the College has refused to discuss a salary schedule), workload (roles of program coordinators, class size, overloads), benefits (health insurance, buy-back of unused personal days), faculty appraisals, and seniority rights.
We want all faculty to fully understand what has been happening and what may happen as we all move toward a decision on a proposed contract. We understand that the information circulated by managers is frequently either partially inaccurate or intentionally misleading, and we want you to be able to make informed decisions about what is best for you as a faculty member and for all of us as a union of professionals. Please plan to attend one or the other of the ALL-FACULTY MEETINGS September 10 and 11 at OEA. If you have questions, contact Steve Abbott at x5096.
What's Really Happening 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