Local 395 update

AFT-W Local 395
WITC Faculty Union Update
December 2011

Employee Handbook Survey Results

In November, the Union surveyed both faculty and OTS employees about the new WITC Employee handbook. While there were many questions and concerns raised about the handbook - mostly about the fact that it’s not complete - three major issues were raised more often than any others: what’s going to happen to retiree benefits, what will happen to our health insurance in the long-term, and what’s the status of our salary scales (step increases, pay for further education, and longevity pay)?

Faculty members have now formed committees to come up with ideas and questions about these issues, and plan on raising them with administration in January, at the start of the new semester. We’ll keep you posted on how those meetings progress and what comes out of them. If you’ve got a particular question about any of those issues, or others, talk to a union rep at your campus.

Recertification Vote – maybe in January?We reported last month that Local 395 has filed its petition for the newly required annual recertification of the union – a new necessary step for the union to remain the official bargaining agent for faculty at WITC. There was a slight chance that the recertification election might have occurred in 2011, but now it’s looking more likely in January or possibly February. It seems that the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission (WERC) is swamped with other recertification elections. More info about the timing and the process – which will be different than anything we’ve seen before – will be coming to you as soon as we learn about it.

Recall of Governor Walker Skating Right Along
Petitions to force a recall are being signed at a steady clip through out the state, and all indicators point to enough signatures by the deadline on January 13th. If you haven’t signed the petitions yet and want to, or want to help gather signatures, just go to AFT-W’s webpage: www.aft-wisconsin.org and click on the Recall Walker link. Your help is needed and greatly appreciated.

Tech College Local Unions to Meet in late January
Tech College local unions from across the state – faculty as well as support staff - will be meeting in late January to discuss what’s happening on various campuses and talk about what they’re doing to maintain their working conditions as contracts expire. At the fall 2011 meeting, unions from 14 Tech College Districts presented reports and learned about activities at other colleges. A good chance to see what your colleagues are doing – more information will be available in early January.

Next All-Campus ITV Meeting: Tuesday, January 31, 2012
More Details Coming Soon