UFF-USF

Meeting from 10 am to noon in TAR 249, chaired by S. Dorn (Chapter President). 18 of 24 council members present, sufficient for a quorum.

Minutes.
Approved.

Nominations for Committees.

• Grievance Chair S. Wolmuth nominated Sheila Goethe (USFSP), Barbara Shircliffe (USFT) and Ross Alander (USFSM) for the Grievance Committee. Nominations approved.
• Bargaining Chair R. Welker nominated Steve Permuth (USFT). Nomination approved.

Release units & Biweekly.

• Motion made & seconded, that the Council recommend using one release unit for fall, 2011, for continued publication of the Biweekly in its current form. Motion approved.

Governance.

• Motion made and seconded, that the Chapter’s policy position is that we will not engage in reopeners that are not legally required, without course releases for Chief Negotiator. Motion ruled out of order; tabled.

Membership & PAC signup. There will be a $ 300 dues rebate in May for new members who join by January 31. This policy was approved by the Chapter on October 8, 2010.

FEA Retired.Current membership fees for UFF Retired (in FEA Retired) are $ 81 per year or $ 400 for lifetime membership.

• Motion made and seconded, that the Chapter rebate $ 200 to UFF USF members towards lifetime UFF Retired membership. Motion withdrawn.

Minutes.

• Motion made & seconded, that minutes of this meeting to be posted. Motion approved.

(Minutes to be composed in the usual style of posted minutes.)

These minutes respectfully submitted 31 December 2010 by Gregory McColm

Attendance.
There were twelve members in attendance, including twelve of the Chapter Council, insufficient for a quorum.

Membership.
Discussion of membership drive in spring.

Elections in spring.
All offices and representative positions will be open in the spring election.

• Motion made and seconded: Resolved, that there be a Chapter Meeting on December 17 to select an Elections Committee. Motion approved.

Minutes.
November 17 minutes approved.

President’s report.
Discussion of outstanding issues.

• SUS Chapter President’s discussion.
• Regarding the petition by the Manhattan College Adjunct Faculty Union, Motion made and seconded that the USF Chapter approve the following statement: “We are deeply concerned that the Administration is spending valuable College resources in an effort to disenfranchise adjunct faculty from their federal right to vote for or against a union in a fair and democratic election. We do not believe a union election poses any threat now, or in the future, to Manhattan College’s mission or Catholic heritage. As a matter of conscience and in the spirit of academic freedom and Catholic social teachings, we urge you to direct your legal team to immediately drop their objections at the National Labor Relations Board and allow Manhattan College’s adjunct faculty to vote for themselves on the question of unionization.” Motion passed.
• Motion made and seconded that “Whereas Keith White has served his colleagues as a union activist, member of the USF bargaining team, and friend and colleague, Resolved, that the USF Chapter thanks Keith White for your years of faithful and concerted service in the interests of fellow members, the bargaining unit, and higher education.” Motion passed.
• UFF disagrees with the Administration’s interpretation of Article 23.
• The grievance clock (on the 30-day limit for filing grievances) will be stopped over Winter Break as usual this year, from December 13 to January 10.

Reports.

• Treasury. We are solvent.
• Grievances. Discussion of outstanding grievances.
• Communications. Motion made and seconded to authorize the expenditure of up to $ 2,500 for upgrading the website and associated email system. Motion passed.
• Political Action. The committee is considering options.
• Services. Discussion of organizing activities.

These minutes respectfully submitted by G. McColm on December 31, 2010.