NEW MILEAGE, JANUARY 2011

CLICK to download UPI travel reimbursement form (January 2012).

CLICK to download UPI COPE reimbursement form (January 2012).

EMAIL Tamara Morris with questions.

Access to Unemployment Insurance Benefits for Contingent Faculty

Should I file my application online or in person?

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CLICK to see answers, more questions and more answers

On Tuesday, February 9 the first series of cuts for the 2010-2011 school year were voted on by the school board.  About $600,000 in non-negotiable items were slashed. Another $1.6 million needs to be cut.  Here is an overview of some of the cuts:

• Flexibility Transfer--IMF Textbook= $70,000
• Routine Repair and maintenance (reduce) = $75,000
• Summer school downsize for 2011= $75,000
• Lottery Funds --Replace General Fund= $50,000
• Eliminate travel/conf. for Admin/Board = $14,710
• Athletic/Sports Cuts (in total) = approx $23,000
• Deferred Maintenance--State Portion moved to Gen. Fund= $85,000
• 15% cut in supplies for maintenance, school sites, Admin/board= $32,000
• Travel/Conference for school sites (unless req. by grant)= $9,114
• Freshman Honors English and Math increased to 28:1 class size= apprx $160,000

The District claims that the District Budget Advisory Committee made this "recommendation" to the Board.  It should be made clear that there was no detailed discussion by the participant's of this budget committee to analyze the pros and cons of these cuts.  The committee spent one meeting brainstorming ideas (there is no bad ideas when one brainstorms!) and spent the next meeting voting via secret ballot for the cuts each members wanted to see.  This can hardly be called a recommendation.  The next round of cuts, including jobs and services, will probably also be called a "recommendation" despite the lack of detailed analysis.

It is also interesting that it took 90 minutes and ten teachers to convince the Board not to increase Freshmen math and English class sizes at the September board meeting.  At the most recent  board meeting all it took was a brief statement by the new superintendent supporting freshman class sizes and the deal was done.  I suppose this is another example of how unimportant teacher input is to the district on some of these critical issues. 

Be prepared for the next round of cuts.  They will take place on Monday, February 22 at LRHS.

Useful tools and contact information  to help you with work-related issues

Follow the link to go to the NYSUT Member Benefits Website:  www.nysut.org/cps/rde/xchg/nysut/hs.xsl/members.htm

Local 3972, Southwestern Oregon Community College Classified Federation (SWOCCCF), is a union representing classified employees at SWOCC in Coos Bay, Oregon. Local 3972 (SWOCCCF) is affiliated with its state federation, AFT-Oregon, and national organizations, the American Federation of Teachers and the AFL-CIO.

Here are links to the current Local 3972 (SWOCCCF) contract and constitution.

Local 4671, Hillsboro Classified United is a union representing classified employees in the Hillsboro School District in Oregon. We are affiliated with our state federation, AFT-Oregon, and national organizations, the American Federation of Teachers and the AFL-CIO.

There are many rumors circulating about how the pink-slip and subsequent lay-off process works.  I have created a list of FAQ.  Please click on the title to read them.

As the campaign to organize UW academic staff and faculty gains momentum, AFT-Wisconsin, TAUWP's parent union, has developed printed and electronic resources to address questions and concerns about academic unionization. The AFT-W Higher Education website, www.aftwhighered.org, offers a wealth of resources, including links to higher education unions throughout the nation, fact sheets and FAQs specific to both faculty and academic staff and information about collective bargaining and shared governance. Check back often for new content!