WHAT'S REALLY HAPPENING
Columbus State Education Association Newsletter of September 26, 2005
POSSIBLE STRIKE? RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE
LET YOUR VIEWS BE HEARD TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY
Many faculty have questions about what will happen since the administration is implementing its "Last/Best/Final Offer" over the objections of the college's teachers. Many others wonder about their rights and options (regardless of union membership) in a strike situation, and still others are concerned about what a strike would mean in practical, day-to-day terms.
The CSEA Crisis Committee has invited representatives of the Ohio Education Association to campus Tuesday and Wednesday, September 27-28. They will be here from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day in the Mathematics Department conference room, 4th floor of Davidson Hall.
These trained personnel will be available to speak privately with any bargaining unit member (members and non-members alike) and answer questions about insurance, short-term loans, legal rights, and other issues related to a job action. As part of the OEA support services maintained by your Association dues, they will listen confidentially to your concerns and provide accurate information.
Your participation will help OEA staff convey to the Executive Committee a more complete understanding of all faculty's viewpoints as we plan for future action.
The Board's rejection of further negotiation has created a crisis atmosphere. Many people are anxious. Sometimes it's easier to share your thoughts with a disinterested third party. Stop by the 4th floor of Davidson Hall tomorrow or Wednesday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., have your questions answered, and tell OEA's support staff-with total confidentiality-what you think.
Remember: it doesn't matter what your membership status is, or what your view of negotiations is, or whether you prefer reality TV over classic movies-what matters is that you take the time to say what you really think and get your questions answered. What you say will determine what we do. It's that important.
THOSE WHO KNOW DON'T SAY; THOSE WHO SAY, DON'T KNOW
One critical point that demands clarification: the HR office does not keep CSEA's membership records. Contrary to the President's inaccurate claim in an Update last week that the Association "represents about 40 percent of Columbus State's full-time faculty," CSEA is the legal representative of ALL full-time faculty for purposes of bargaining wages, hours, and conditions of employment.
Although many CSEA members use payroll deduction to pay their union dues (and thus are on record with HR/Payroll for a designated deduction), many don't. They pay their dues in full at the beginning of each year, and these members do not appear on administration records. What IS significant is over 60% of the College's faculty VOLUNTARILY belong to an organization that they pay to belong to and to support with their money, their time and, when necessary, their physical presence. That says something.
Put simply, any statement by administrators about CSEA membership is either wishful thinking or intentional disinformation.
ONE MORE THING..
CSEA has developed a well-earned reputation for the accuracy and credibility of information it disseminates, and when we've made a mistake we've readily admitted it and corrected the record. Sadly, not every part of the College can say the same.
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