FFECC General Membership Meeting

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WELCOME

• FFECC General Membership Meeting
• April 24, 2009

NYSUT FFECC A Union of
Professionals Education Professionals
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OFFICERS

• PRESIDENTANDREW SAKO
• CITY VICE PRESIDENTCHRISTINE DEHOFF
• SOUTH VICE PRESIDENTJENNIFER MASSARO
• 
  MICHAEL DELANEY (Interim)
• NORTH VICE PRESIDENTDIANE ZYCH
• SECRETARYMARY ANN MARZELLO
• TREASURERGREG FOX

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FFECC ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• We helped to stop the Giambra consolidation of
  the three campuses and gained a new building for
  City Campus at 45 Oak Street to expand and
  enhance existing programs
• Completed a Distance Learning contractual
  modifications through the work of the ADHOC
  Committee along with our working relationship
  with past Interim President Reuter (Article 36,
  p. 26-29)
• Completed Academic Advisement ADHOC Committee
  task and language included in Article 41, p. 32
• Incorporated Police Training Professionals into
  contract with necessary language

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FFECC ACCOMPLISHMENTS (Cont.)

• 27th Pay Period Issue
• 10-month academic employees (including those who
  choose to be paid the annual salary over a
  12-month period) will be paid on a bi-weekly
  basis

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FFECC ACCOMPLISHMENTS (Cont.)

• All 13/15 County Legislators supported by the
  FFECC PAC Committee were elected. We continue to
  have a strong working relationship with the Erie
  County Legislature
• We have a commitment to continue the hire
  replacements of full-time retirees
• We have worked with student service leadership
  and past Interim President Reuter to house all
  counselors at each campus in Student Service
  Centers. The FFECC has also pursued streamlined
  reporting structure and made it consistent with
  other academic units and the contract.

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FFECC ACCOMPLISHMENTS (Cont.)

• Gained increases for part-time NTTPs
• Settled numerous grievances that have improved
  our working conditions
• Working to preserve autonomy of individual
  departments
• Two sabbaticals were approved this year
• Retirement incentive included in our contract as
  part of an M.O.U. with the college

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RETIREMENT INCENTIVE

• The incentive will be paid by the college. It is
  not only for the current year but also for people
  retiring during the 2008-2009 year (Sept. 1,
  2008 Aug. 31, 2009).
• To be eligible, employees must be 55 years of age
  or older and have been a full-time FFECC member
  for a minimum of 20 years.
• To be eligible, employees must notify the college
  in writing of their intention to retire by May
  15, 2008, for the current year, and by February
  1, 2009, for the 2008-2009 year. Retirement
  effective the end of any fall semester will not
  qualify to receive this incentive.
• Each qualified applicant will receive 1,000 per
  year of bargaining unit seniority (college-wide)
  up to a maximum of 25,000. The total cap for
  retirement incentives each year will be 500,000.
  If the 2007-2008 cap (maximum distribution) is
  not reached, the unused funds will rollover to
  the 2008-2009 year.

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RETIREMENT INCENTIVE (Cont.)

• If there are more applicants than there is money
  in the fund for a particular year, priorities
  will be established on the basis of bargaining
  unit seniority, defined as original full-time
  starting date with the college. In the event of
  ties, previous part-time service to the college
  with FFECC will be the tie-breaker. If a tie
  remains after this criterion is used, the tie
  will be broken by a random drawing.
• Accepting this incentive will disqualify an
  employee from accepting a New York State
  incentive should one occur.
• In the event that there are inadequate funds to
  meet a persons eligible cap, the individual may
  elect to accept a lesser amount or withdraw
  his/her intention to retire by June 15, 2008, of
  the first year and March 1, 2009, of the second
  year.
• After the respective deadlines, the college will
  have a two-week period to notify applicants of
  their status.
• Applicants who qualify for the college incentive
  may not rescind their decision to retire.

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LEGISLATIVE ACTION COMMITTEE

• Chairperson
• REMEY ORREFO

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Political Action Activities
FFECC PAC Mission To vigorously present and
pursue the concerns of the federation in the
political arena, while providing accountability
of our actions to the membership
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VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVE
New York Teacher, 11/2/2006 Higher ed
Hustings The voter registration drive, Just
Vote, took place on the campus of Erie Community
College, according to the Faculty Federation
president, Andrew Sako. Were active in that
drive every spring an d fall, he said.
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Friend of Education Award
2008-2009 Recipient Dale Volker To be honored
at the FFECC retirement dinner
New York State Senate 59th District
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NYSUT LOBBYING ACTIVITIES

• Higher Education Lobby Days February 2008
• Committee of 100 Lobby Days March 2008
• Committee of 100 Lobby Days May 2008

• NYSUT did a wonderful job of providing the FFECC
  access to legislators and data to effectively
  address our concerns.

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FFECC LOBBYING EFFORTS

• NYSUT Higher Education Staff and A. Sako met
  with Governors office to lobby for community
  colleges
• A. Sako and NYSUT leadership met with a majority
  of New York State legislators to promote the
  concerns of community colleges
• A. Sako and NYSUT leadership promoted ECCs
  economic impact on the Western New Yorkarea
• As in the past three years, BTF President, Phil
  Rumore, and A. Sako met with the Western New York
  delegation

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FFECC Participated in Lobby Days in Albany
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LOBBYING EFFORTS

• NYSUT hosted a Community College Presidents
  luncheon in Albany to coordinate NYSUT, SUNY, and
  community college lobby efforts
• A. Sako attended along with the SUNY Vice
  Chancellor, numerous community college
  presidents, community college union presidents,
  and SUNY higher education staff

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Lobbying Activities with State Assembly and State
Senate Representatives in Albany
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Results of Lobby Efforts for Community Colleges
with NYSUT

• The recently passed 2008-2009 New York State
  Budget contains the same funding for community
  colleges that was achieved in last years budget
• There was a real possibility of major cuts in
  funding for community colleges
• SUNY and CUNY did have some cuts to their
  respective units

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NYSUT Representative AssemblyApril 9-13, 2008
Delegates Chris Dehoff Andrew Sako Esteban
Lopez Verlaine Quinniey
Alternates Felix Piskorowski Ethel Petrou Gene
Grabiner
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NYSUT 2008 RA
Former NEA/NY President Robin D. Rapaport and
Vice President Matt Jacobs
Richard C. Iannuzzi NYSUT President
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NYSUT Representative AssemblyApril 9-13, 2008
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NYSUT-FUNDED ACTIVITIES

• 2008 AFT-NEA Joint Higher Education Conference
• NYSUT Presidents Conference
• NYSUT Community College Conference
• Higher Education Lobby Days
• NYSUT Local Presidents Conference
• Higher Education and Committee of 100 Lobby Days
• 2008 Northeast Regional Leadership Conference
• 2008 AFT Nationals Special Leadership Conference

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NYSUT Advocate Training Activities

• Summer Conference
• NYSUT Western New York Leadership Conference
  August 22-24, 2007 (Niagara Falls)
• Winter Conference
• NYSUT Western New York Leadership Conference
  March 10-11, 2008 (Buffalo)
• These conferences are offered biannually to help
  train new union representatives.

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Frequent Meetings of FFECC President

• President of the college (weekly)
• Senior Executive staff (monthly)
• Director of Human Resources (weekly)
• Director of Diversity (as needed)
• Individual members of Board of Trustees
  (bimonthly)
• Attend Board of Trustees Meetings (monthly)
• Attend NYSUT Board of Directors Meetings (5 times
  per year)
• Preside over Executive Council Meetings (monthly)
• Labor Management Meetings (monthly)
• Attend Community Enrichment Meetings of the
  County Legislature (monthly)
• Dual Task Force with NYSUT
• Higher Education Committee
• Community College Conference Planning Committee

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Met with Numerous FFECC Groups

• Met with NTTPs/Electronic Tech.
• Met with members of the counseling unit
• Met with various department chairs
• Met with various college wide and union
  committees
• Met with FFECCs Social Committee

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ISSUES PENDING

• Counselor issues still need attention
• LMHC The Coalition is presently reviewing our
  P.B.M. (Prescription Benefit Manager)
  Med-Impact.
• Electronic Tech/NTTP issues in talks with Joe
  Stewart.
• PreCollegiate Studies and Middle College
  discussions have been progressing.
• Campus safety issues and communication systems
  and policy must be reviewed.
• Enhancement of the FFECC website with the help of
  Jane Ashwill and Bob Zaffram will be housed on
  the AFTs site.
• Push for infrastructure improvements at all
  campuses.
• Currently developing a proposal for a faculty
  academic forum.

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Help Needed!

• Donations needed for our Catastrophic Illness
  Bank
• (Forms are available at the table in the back of
  the cafeteria)

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Interaction with Other Unions

• Phil Rumore, President BTF
• Buffalo Building Trades Council
• AFL-CIO Council
• The Kenmore Staff Association
• Other Community College Union Presidents
• Other Erie County Union Presidents and
  Representatives

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ELECTIONS COMMITTEEREPORT

• Chairperson
• BARBARA HAPEMAN

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Faculty Representative Needed

• The position for a divisional representative for
  Business, Public Service, or Technology for the
  FFECC Executive Council for 2008-2011 (3-year
  term) is still available.
• Responsibilities
• Attend Executive Council meetings
• Serve on a minimum of one committee and act as a
  liaison to the Executive council
• Communicate information to their constituencies
• Please contact Barb Hapeman if interested in
  serving.

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NEGOTIATIONS COMMITTEE

• Andrew Sako
• Gene Grabiner
• Frank Jordan
• Bruce Brandel
• Phil Augustino

We will be discussing the wage reopener for
overload and Workforce rates
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OUR CONTRACT

• Our Contract has been printed and is available in
  your Campus Vice Presidents Office.
• There are copies available here for those that
  would like to pick one up.

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MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

• COLLEEN HANNEN
• CHAIR

Over 1,000 Members Both Full- and Part-Time
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THECONSTITUTIONOF THEFFECC

• THE FACULTY FEDERATION OF ERIE COMMUNITY
  COLLEGEAPRIL, 2008

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Constitution Committee Members

• Chris Dehoff Chair
• Jane Ashwill
• Derek Bateman
• Bev Brandel
• Carol Clulow
• Barb Hapeman

• Frank Jordan
• Sam Lebron
• Monica Patkow
• Felix Piskorowski
• Verlaine Quinniey

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Proposed amendments to the FFECC Constitution

• Amendment 1 Article IV, Section 1
• Section 1, Officers
• The elected officers shall be a president, a
  vice-president from each campus, a secretary, a
  treasurer, and division representatives. Any
  nominee for an elected office must have
  tenure/permanent status.
• Proposed new language
• The elected officers shall be a president, a
  vice-president from each campus, a secretary, a
  treasurer, and division representatives. Any
  nominee for President, Campus Vice-President,
  Secretary, or Treasurer must have
  tenure/permanent status. Any nominee for
  division representative (full-time) must have
  completed one full year of employment at the
  college in a position which is eligible for
  tenure/permanent status. Part-time
  representatives (teaching or non-teaching) are
  exempt from this requirement. Any FFECC member
  may serve on a standing committee, as per our
  current approval process.

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Proposed amendments to the FFECC Constitution
(Cont.)

• Amendment 2 Article III, Section 1
• Voting membership shall be available to all
  full-time and part-time professional employees of
  the college and its affiliates who are
  represented by the bargaining unit. Part-time
  members will vote only on sections of the
  contract dealing with part-time employment.
• Proposed new language
• Voting membership shall be available to full-time
  and part-time professional employees of the
  college and its affiliates who are represented by
  the bargaining unit. Exception members of the
  Administrators Association of Erie Community
  College (AAECC) who hold part-time positions in
  the FFECC bargaining unit are not eligible to be
  voting members of the FFECC. Such persons must
  pay agency fees to the FFECC instead of dues.
  Part-time members will vote only on sections of
  the contract dealing with part-time employment.

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Proposed amendments to the FFECC Constitution
(Cont.)

• Amendment 3 Article IV, Section 1,(c)
• One representative will be elected for each of
  the following categories
• Part-time Teaching Faculty
• Part-time Non-teaching Members
• Proposed new language
• Two at-large representatives will be elected from
  part-time non-teaching members, and three
  at-large representatives will be elected from
  part-time teaching faculty.

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Rationale for Amendments

• Amendment 1
• a) part-time faculty representatives must be
  exempt from the requirement to have tenure since
  they are not eligible for tenure
• b) having completed one full year of employment
  at the college in a position which is eligible
  for tenure/permanent status should be sufficient
  protection for division representatives, although
  not for union officers, and we should make their
  eligibility as non-restrictive as we can, to
  encourage new faculty to get involved in the
  union.
• Amendment 2
• Full-time AAECC members may exert influence over
  the schedules and other aspects of FFECC members
  employmentthis constitutes a conflict of
  interest.
• Amendment 3
• One representative each from the part-time
  teaching faculty and non-teaching faculty is not
  enough considering their large numbers.

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GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE

• Chairperson
• GENE GRABINER

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FFECC Retirement Party

• Wednesday, May 21, 2008Lucarellis Banquet
  Center
• Cost 27 per person/ 50 per couple
• Honorees

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Social Committee Members

• Chris Dehoff
• Barb Bohlen
• Colleen Hannen
• Rebecca Daunce
• Pam Simeth

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Social Committee Activities

• December 2007 Holiday socials at each campus
• January 2008 Sheas Theater social gathering
  at the new intermission lounge and optional
  tickets to see the musical, The 25th Annual
  Putnam County Spelling Bee.
• January 2008 Faculty Basketball Competition
• April 2008 Family Bowling
• May 21, 2008 Retirement and Friend of Education
  Award Dinner
• June 7, 2008 Picnic at Como Park (family event)
• July 18-24, 2008 NYSUT sponsored Darien Lake
  days
• Sept./Oct. 2008 ECC football game/FFECC event
  (cookout)
• November 2008 Holiday Party

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NYSUT Sponsored Event
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NYSUT Sponsored Event
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FFECC Web Site

• Test site was created earlier this year
  (http//elinks.ecc.edu/library/ffeccjea/)
• Site will be hosted by AFT (AFT State Web)
• Used by over 3,000 local affiliates
• State federations and the national union are able
  to deliver information automatically to local
  sites through content syndication.
• Content can be restricted so that it can only be
  viewed by registered users
• Offers a flexible format to meet the need of AFT
  and its affiliates
• AFT covers the full cost of the software and the
  Web site hosting for all participating local and
  state federations
• Web site will provide
• Up-to-date information
• Access to the minutes and contract
• Links to NYSUT information
• FFECC Officers and Executive Council

• Presidents reports
• Social events calendar
• Forms and newsletters
• Photo gallery

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Other Topics of Discussion
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2008 Feelings of Pessimism

• Historical trend During state economic
  downturns SUNY and CUNY are among the first areas
  of the state budget to be targeted for cut and
  when the economy improves these institutions are
  not made whole by the state.
• Trend continued in 2008-09 when state funding for
  SUNY and CUNY was cut by 215 millionthese cuts
  were deeper than the cuts to any other state
  agency.

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2009 Feelings of Pessimism

• Currently projected state deficit for 2009-10 of
  14 billion, could be as high as 17 billion.
• Governor Paterson has proposed 266 million in
  cuts to SUNY and CUNY for 2009-10.
• Governor Paterson has proposed a 10 cut in state
  support for community colleges.
• Local community college sponsors (counties) are
  under extreme financial pressure.
• Result will likely be more adjunct faculty and
  the remaining full-time faculty will have a
  heavier burden of committee work and student
  advisement.

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2009 Feelings of Cautious Optimism

• Federal Stimulus could provide New York State
  with funding to eliminate proposed cuts to
  education.
• New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) continues
  to lobby for additional state revenue through a
  new progressive income tax structure.

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2009 Feelings of Cautious OptimismA Focus on
State Revenues

• Currently, under New York State tax policy a
  family making 45,000 pays the same personal
  income tax rate as a family making 450,000 or
  45 million.
• Adding progressivity to the personal income tax
  with new rates on incomes above 250,000 could
  result in an additional 6 billion in state
  revenues.
• Need for a renewed focus on support for higher
  education.

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