Harper College Adjunct Faculty Association

Negotiations for Next Contract Are Proceeding

hcafawebmaster — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 03:52:20 +0000

We will make every attempt possible to keep you informed of our progress. We know that for most adjuncts, the main concerns in negotiations are salary and benefits. However, there are many other very important aspects to our contract. (We hope you’ll look at your contract and become aware of all of the possible topics there are to bargain.) HCAFA and the Harper Administration have met 4 times since the initial Intetest-Based Bargaining all-day training. (We meet for 4 hours every Friday.) Both teams have expressed a strong interest in cooperating with each other to to make the adjunct contract better than it is.

In an effort to develop trust, we began the process by working on language issues–those issues that have changed since the signing of the last contract: Some of the issues were the result of grievances filed on behalf of adjuncts; others were the joint outcome of discussions at relationship meetings between HCAFA and the college.

Adjuncts Included in Harper Faculty Retreat for the First Time

hcafawebmaster — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:28:24 +0000

HCAFA is pleased to inform you that all adjuncts are welcome to attend the all-day retreat for Harper faculty on February 24 at Poplar Creek Country Club. The retreat will focus on finding and making joy on the job and is “devoted to YOU, the person, and to your well-being.” If you can’t come for the entire day, think of coming for part of the day. We hope you’ll include lunch in your options. Click on the link below for the full invitation.

Invitation to Faculty Retreat Feb. 24, 2012

Nominations for Delegates to the NEA Rep Assembly and for Reps from HCAFA to the IEA Region 42 Council

hcafawebmaster — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 02:43:31 +0000

Please contact Julie Simpson at juliesimpson15@yahoo.com before February 8 if you are interested in being:

A delegate to the National Education Association Rep Assembly which will be in Washington, D.C. from June 30-July 5, 2012
A rep from HCAFA to the Illinois Education Association Region 42

NEGOTIATIONS HAVE BEGUN FOR OUR NEXT CONTRACT

hcafawebmaster — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:18:29 +0000

Our current contract with Harper is set to expire this year. The HCAFA negotiating team–Gary Wilson (Team Chair), Rob Alexander, Arlene Bublick, Joanne Meyerhoff, Charmian Tashjian, and Barry Tusin (Interim IEA Uniserv Director) met with college administrators–Brian Knetl (Cafe Associate Dean), Judy Marwick (Provost), Sheryl Otto (Dean of Student Development), Damone Richardson (HR Manager), and Roger Spayer (Chief HR Officer). Federal Mediatior Jerry Hughes guided us in the process of Interest-Based Bargaining. He will attend future sessions as needed. Although HCAFA members Janice Cutler and Larry Price are not going to attend meetings with the college, they will help with any needed research or planning.

Our first session was very productive. Team members got to know one another; ground rules for our meetings were agreed upon, and we began using the IBB process to discuss issues regarding working conditions. We are set to meet again next Friday and will continue to do so until negotiations are finished.

DON’T BE FOOLED! SURS IS SUSTAINABLE!

hcafawebmaster — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:34:47 +0000

Why SURS is Sustainable!

The rate of return for FY 2011 on SURS investments was 23.8 percent. SURS is a long-term investor and since 1986, the average annual rate of return was 8.8 percent. Do not get confused with the short-term returns when the long-term is what matters.

The numbers to focus on are the amounts SURS pays out in pensions and benefits in a year. During the last fiscal year, SURS paid out $1.6 billion in benefits, but collected $4.1 billion in revenue, more than enough to meet current obligations.

The total value of SURS assets continues to improve. At the end of FY 2009, SURS held $11.03 billion. At the end of FY 2010, SURS held $12.12 billion. As of 6/30/2011, SURS held $14.24 billion. That’s a 22.5 percent increase in two years.

It’s important to note that SURS and its investments and contributions from its membership will continue to accrue principal and interest over the remainder of a member’s life as long as unused equity exists.

As of 6/30/2011, SURS had total liabilities of $31.5 billion and an unfunded liability of $17.2 billion. While the media frets about the unfunded liability, the total amount is never due all at once. Don’t confuse the mortgage with the mortgage payment.

Contributions to SURS since 1996:

Since 1996 SURS has received $11.2 billion in employer/state/member contributions.

Investment income plus employer/state/member contributions has totaled $24.8 billion since 1996.

January Harper Adjunct Advocate

hcafawebmaster — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:19:17 +0000

Go to the Newsletter tab on this site, or check your Harper mailbox for the latest edition of the Harper Adjunct Advocate. This edition features an update of all the happenings since the last issue. There is also an explanation of everything you can find on the HCAFA site. In addition, Union Representation, known as Weingarten Rights, is explained in detail.

Harper Adjunct Advocate, January 2012

Availability Forms for Fall 2012

hcafawebmaster — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:40:44 +0000

Make sure to complete your availability form and submit it to your dean before February 15, 2012 if you want to teach in the fall. Click on the link below to access the availability form. (The form is also accessible from the Documents Tab.)

Once you click on the link, you will be prompted to log in to the Harper website.

Form on the Harper Portal

INTEREST-BASED BARGAINING TRAINING

hcafawebmaster — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 03:47:45 +0000

Gary Wilson, chair of HCAFA’s negotiating team, will lead the HCAFA team at the FMCS (Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services) training on January 17. The training is for members of both the administration and HCAFA. It is hoped that this form of negotiating will lead to improved relations between the union and the administration.

KNOW YOUR WEINGARTEN RIGHTS TO UNION REPRESENTATION AS SET FORTH IN THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS ACT

hcafawebmaster — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 03:11:02 +0000

It is very important to be familiar with your Weingarten Rights in case you are ever in a situation that could lead to disciplinary action by the college. You will find an explanation of these rights if you click on the link below.

Weingarten Rights, Association Representation

Complete College America Report from IEA

hcafawebmaster — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 21:45:40 +0000

Graduation rates of our two year and four year public colleges.

The graduation rates for students completing a certificate or degree in three years from a two year college vary from 57% to 4%.

Complete College America Report 2011