UFF-USF

An anonymous community-college dean describes an all-too-common administrative response to an eroding environment, as well as the alternative:

The usual administrator’s playbook says that when things get bad, you get evasive. Change the subject, or find something to praise, or if you’re really stuck, trot out the vague cliches. This is actually better than having a meltdown, but it doesn’t really inspire confidence, either. At best, it’s a holding action. Sometimes that’s the best you can do, of course, but it rarely has the desired effect.

Lately, I’ve been experimenting with a new approach. On a few recent occasions, as things have become particularly scary, I’ve gone into public discussions with my guard down and plenty of facts at hand. Instead of bracing for confrontation, I’ve simply admitted the limits of what I know, put the facts out there, acknowledged my own biases, and asked for input. And I have to admit being embarrassed at how badly I’ve underestimated some of my colleagues.

Since most of his readers don’t have any way to check his claims, we have to take this epiphany on faith, but the principles are right.

Stanford business and engineering professor Bob Sutton writes today on why massive layoffs are bad business decisions:

One big lesson from research on downsizing is that when organizations hold-off on layoffs as long as possible and do less deep cuts, they tend to bounce back faster (compared to similar organizations that rely more heavily on layoffs) when the upturn hits (especially organizations with skilled workers). This happens, in part, because they save recruiting and training costs when the demand for their people returns, and by keeping their experienced workforce around, they can move more effectively than competitors who are scrambling to hire and train new employees with the right skills.

Attendance.
There were twelve people in attendance.

Agenda & Introductions.
Agenda approved and introductions made.

Minutes.
The minutes from the September 19 meeting were approved.

Membership.

1. The Membership Chair reported on Michael Berube’s visit.
2. The Membership Chair presented a Memorandum of Agreement proposing a study.
   • Motion to table Memorandum of Agreement made, seconded, and passed.
3. Follow-up on UFF Senate item: discussion of the organization of a Membership Committee.

Legal Matters.
A legal matter was discussed.

Consultation.
There will be a consultation with the Administration on Tuesday at 9:30 am. Discussion of consultation agenda.

Member Survey.
Discussion of proposed survey of members, and of communications between union and membership.

• Motion to table implementation of proposed survey made, seconded, and passed.

Reports.

• UFF Senate follow-up: as of November 5, UFF will not represent non-members in grievances.
• Grievances: discussion of an outstanding grievance.
• Bargaining: the Chief Negotiator reported on the current situation.
• USF Senate: discussion of common concerns of UFF and the Faculty Senate.
• Treasury: we have money.
• Communications: report on current communications.

Meeting Adjourned.

These minutes respectfully submitted by G. McColm on October 4, 2008.

Attendance.
There were nine people in attendance.

Agenda & Introductions.
Agenda approved and introductions made.

Minutes.
The minutes from the September 5 meeting were approved.

Michael Berube.
Remaining arrangements for Berube’s visit on Sept. 22 – 24.

Reports.

• Political Action.
  Discussion of political action.

• Grievances.
  There are several outstanding grievances.
  The subject of representing non-members in grievance proceedings is on the UFF Senate agenda.

• Budget.
  The chapter has money.

• Bargaining/
  The Chief Negotiator described the status of collective bargaining.

Meeting Adjourned.

These minutes respectfully submitted by G. McColm on September 27, 2008.

Below is the list of recommendations from the West Central Florida Federation of Labor. In addition, UFF supports Amendment 8.
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Like many other members of the Florida Education Association, I just received the following from FEA Treasurer Clara Cook:

The news this week regarding our nation’s financial system has no doubt caused great concern for you and our members. While the news has been terrible, it appears so far that the Florida Retirement System (FRS) remains relatively stable and well diversified. While not immune from the losses occurring across the financial markets, Florida seems better positioned than almost every other state when it comes to the overall funding and performance of our retirement system. Our state’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Alex Sink, issued a statement this week and I’ll provide you the following quotes from her statement as guidance on the current state of the FRS portfolio:

On Lehman Brothers-

“The Florida Treasury held $139.5 million par value in Lehman Brothers Holding, Inc., bonds as of Friday, September 12, 2008. Of this amount, $104.1 million was senior debt and $35.4 million was subordinated debt. The total exposure represents less than 0.6 percent of Treasury investments, which total $24 billion. The Treasury is proceeding with an orderly liquidation of the subordinated debt this month.”

On the FRS portfolio-

“As Florida’s Chief Financial Officer, my highest priority during the last 20 months has been working to increase safeguards over Floridians’ tax dollars. Under my direction, the Treasury has tightened its investment decisions and limited exposure to any one individual corporation. While our nation is experiencing significant financial disorder, investment firms can and do fail from time to time, and investors must position portfolios to weather financial storms. We have positioned Florida’s Treasury to meet the cash needs of investors and balance the obligations of the state.”

While there are no guarantees… I believe the CFO has accurately outlined the challenges presented in the markets and has been proactive in managing the risks associated with investing.

Clara Cook, Secretary/Treasurer
Florida Education Association
NEA/AFT/AFL-CIO
Imagine the Future

UFF-USF Chapter meeting
September 19, 2008
SOC 304, Noon

1. Agenda/introductions
2. Membership
3. Michael Berube visit
4. Reports
   • Political activism

   • Grievances
   • Bargaining
   • Treasury
   • Communications
   • Faculty Senate
5. Other business
6. For the good of the order

The UFF-USF Bargaining Team sent the following to the bargaining unit as USF on Wednesday, September 10:

A message from the UFF-USF Bargaining Team

Last Thursday, the Trustees’ bargaining team made what appeared to us from the remarks of the Trustees’ representatives as its best salary offer. Since we represent you at the bargaining table, we think you should know about this offer.
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USF-UFF Chapter Meeting

Attendance. There were seventeen people in attendance.

Agenda & Introductions.
Agenda approved and introductions made.

Budget
The treasurer’s presented the budget.

Motion to approve the budget seconded and passed.

Visit by Michael Berube
Michael Berube will be visiting Sept. 22 – 24, with activities scheduled for Sept. 23. His schedule was organized and discussed.

Bargaining.
The bargaining situation was discussed.
Motion to approve the actions of the Bargaining Team seconded and endorsed unanimously.

Motion that: The Chapter is concerned that the terms and conditions of employment at the University of South Florida are endangering the potential for membership in the American Association of Universities; seconded and approved unanimously.

Grievances. The Grievance Chair reported on ongoing grievance proceedings.

Faculty Senate.
The Vice President of the Faculty Senate reported on the Senate’s activities and mutual concerns.

Political Action.
The Acting Political Action Chair reported on election season activities.

Communications.
The Communications Chair reported on the Chapter’s publications.

Other Business.
Participants were advised that if they discover irregularities in administrative conduct affecting the terms and conditions of employment, it would be helpful if they brought it to the Chapter’s attention.

Meeting Adjourned.

These minutes respectfully submitted by G. McColm on September 7, 2008.

Robert Felner stayed too long as a dean of the University of Louisville because administrators ignored multiple complaints about him. As one of those who wrote comments on the IHE article noted, “Fish rot from the head down.” So it is with the University of Louisville.