Akron-AAUP Monthly Newsletter February 20, 2006

From Linda Barrett, Akron-AAUP Grievance and Contract Administration Officer -

What to do if you think you have a grievance: 

Contact Akron-AAUP.  We can often tell you immediately if your problem rises to the level of a grievance.

The Grievance Officer is Linda Barrett (phone: 330-972-6120;
email:  barrett@uakron.edu).

The grievance process protects all bargaining unit faculty, not just dues-paying members of Akron-AAUP.  All faculty members are entitled to use the grievance procedure and to receive Akron-AAUP’s support when they do so.

Remember that a grievance is defined in Article 12 of the contract as any dispute “with respect to the interpretation, application, or violation of any of the provisions of [the] Agreement”.

A formal grievance must be filed within 20 days after the problem occurred, or after you became aware or should have become aware of the problem.  It is important to keep records and date receipt documents you receive from representatives of the administration.

A grievance must state the events upon which it is based, cite the specific provisions of the Agreement which have been violated, and specify the desired outcome. 

Many matters can be resolved by the timely intervention of Akron-AAUP, often without the filing of a grievance.  Let us know as soon as you think you have a problem. 

See the contract language on Grievance here.

Contact Prof. Barrett at barrett@uakron.edu with questions

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Past President Steve Aby -

National News:

Students Paid to Spy on Faculty.
At UCLA, an organization called the Bruin Alumni Association is paying students to spy on faculty whom the organization considers to be radicals.  Students are paid to tape record and make copies of lectures, reading lists, and other course materials.  The alumni organization already has a web site that profiles a “dirty thirty” faculty members.  To read more, see “The New Class Monitors” at the Inside Higher Education website.

State News:

Single-payer Healthcare for K-12 Teachers?  Are higher education faculty next? Ohio House Bill 66 (HB66) would create a single-payer healthcare plan for all public school teachers in Ohio.  This plan would be run by a board of nine members appointed by the Governor.  The Board would decide costs, copays, and coverage for the plan.  If passed, will higher education faculty be next?  For more background, go to: http://www.ocaaup.org/index_files/Page1724.htm.         

Contact Steve Aby at saby@uakron.edu

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Secretary Dave Witt -

Additional chapter news and updates.

Mike Cheung and Linda Barrett continue to work with UA's Administration to finalize the full contract. This is not negotiations, but rather taking time to make sure the intent of the tentative agreement is secured line-by-line. Look for a special announcement with a link to an electronic copy of the final contract very soon.

Chapter President John Hebert continues to work on Fair Share voting procedures.  The process is still being formulated with the UA Administration. Look for news about how and when to vote soon.

The Chapter Exec. Committee continues to field questions about the application of the contract from dept. liaisons.  Each faculty member should be sending questions through respective liaisons, as well as to the chapter officer of their choice.

Contact Dave Witt at david27@uakron.edu

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From Vice President Priscilla Sakezles-

Formulating Departmental Merit Guidelines:

With our first contract in force, now we begin its implementation. The compensation article specifies that the bargaining unit faculty in each department are to develop their own criteria for evaluating merit. First the faculty develop and vote for these merit guidelines, the chair, dean, and provost must approve them, and then the chair is bound to apply these guidelines to determine merit pay using a formula given in the contract.

While this may seem like extra work to be avoided, putting a little thought into it now will pay off for years down the road. Many departments already have some form of merit criteria, and all they need to do is revise them to be consistent with the contract language. Other departments have no such criteria, and must start from scratch. Akron-AAUP held a workshop on developing merit guidelines on February 8, and helpful materials are available on our website, including FAQ’s and samples of guidelines from departments who are already working on them. You can also call us for a personal visit to your department.

We have heard from faculty that some chairs are being inappropriately aggressive in this process. Chairs are NOT allowed to put themselves on the merit guidelines committee. They may be invited to join or otherwise participate, but only at the discretion of the bargaining unit faculty. And chairs should NOT be handing over their own ready-made guidelines to the faculty with the expectation that intimidated faculty will automatically approve them. Chairs may have some helpful input, and faculty should certainly consider their own past practices. But the contract specifies that these guidelines are built from the bottom up, by the faculty.  See the contract language on merit guidelines here.

Akron-AAUP fought long and hard to guarantee you the rights in the contract. Now is the time for each of you to stand up and demand that these rights be respected. We have a good grievance article that will be used to enforce the contract. But first you have to speak out if your chair is not following the contract. Contact your Akron-AAUP liaison or any chapter officer if you suspect a problem. Contact Priscilla Sakezles at pks@uakron.edu

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From Treasurer Andrew Borowiec

Membership:

To join the growing number of your colleagues as a member of Akron-AAUP, click on the links below  And remember, dues can be paid over the course of the year in three installments.

Go to  http://www.akronaaup.org/dues/duesforms.htm for information on how to join,

or contact Andrew (borowiec@uakron.edu)

or your departmental liaison http://www.akronaaup.org/liaisons.htm  for details. 

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The quality of your academic life depends on a good contract.

Support yourself, and your colleagues, by becoming a member.

Akron-AAUP
Communications Committee

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