December 7,2004
Dear Colleagues:
I wanted to update the membership prior to the semester break on recent activities around the state.
Many thanks to the nearly 100 MSCA members who picketed Steve Tocco's office at One Financial Center last Friday. For once, the weather cooperated with us and it was a great event to increase our visibility in the heart of the financial district. The Boston Globe West is planning coverage of this demonstration in Thursday's edition.
Many thanks to Dick Eels, chapter president at Roxbury Community College, who brought 25 of his chapter's members to picket the BHE meeting this morning in more typical cold and rainy weather conditions. The Roxbury CC chapter members picketed Mitt Romney's house in Belmont last month, so we were honored to have "our heroes" join us.
At this morning's meeting, the Board of Higher Education, for the first time ever in my memory, ADVOCATED for public higher education by setting aside the 2.5% budget increase that had been "recommended" by the governor's office and voting to put forward a budget proposal that includes a 9.5% increase for the state and community colleges next year. This proposal includes $12,000,000 for the retroactive monies due our colleagues in APA and AFSCME -- monies that have been promised by legislative leaders come January. I gave brief remarks at the meeting, and then an executive session was held over lunch to discuss our collective bargaining situation.
Reporters from the Boston Globe, the Boston Herald and the Worcester Telegram-Gazette covered the meeting, so please watch for press coverage tomorrow. The MSCA Bargaining Committee meets with management next on December 15th.
On December 13th, I, along with my counterparts from the faculty unions at the university and community colleges, will testify at the Senate Task Force on Public Higher Education. The hearing will begin at noon in Room 222 of the State House and is open to the public.
One point I intend to address in my testimony is the grossly misleading report prepared by the governor's office concerning state employees who earn over $100,000 a year. Many of you may have seen press coverage about this report. Let me assure you, as I will assure the Senate Task Force, that no state college faculty member or librarian earns in excess of $100,000 a year. Our average salary is less than $60,000 a year, an 15% deficit when compared to our peers nationally and adjusted for cost of living.
The MSCA Board has directed me to counter this misleading report with the Legislature as a whole, the press and the general public, and I will do so over the coming weeks.
Lastly, many thanks to all MSCA members who are supporting our bargaining strategy by sending letters and emails, participating in political campaigns, refusing to do volunteer activities, boycotting social events sponsored by management, and showing up for our demonstrations throughout the state. It is an honor and a privilege to represent you. Happy holidays to you and your families.
Pat Markunas
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