WORKING G OVERTIME HEOs file grievance Workers start Clarıon a class action for fair pay. PAGE 11 NEWSPAPER OF THE PROFESSIONAL STAFF CONGRESS / CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK FEBRUARY 2006 BAD FAITH ?

The PSC bargained in good faith, and expected the same from CUNY. But two demanded a bargaining session with direct City and State participation, and months after the two sides agreed on a “conceptual framework,” CUNY may reiterated that members need real raises, a solution to the Welfare Fund cri- be indicating it will be unable to deliver City and State support. The union sis and advances on equity issues. PAGES 3 & 11

STATE BUDGET ACADEMIC FREEDOM LOSING GROUND BENEFITS Pataki’s plan Hunter Senate Faculty salaries Pensions falls short releases report in NYC are down under fire Governor Pataki’s proposed The Hunter College Senate’s From NYU to CUNY, faculty The right wing has set its budget would mean bigger Select Committee on Acade- make, on average, less than sights on pension plans. tuition hikes and a gap in mic Freedom released its NYC elementary school Does this mean a secure state funding for SUNY and findings, sparking a campus teachers. It is a race to the retirement will become a CUNY. PAGE 2 conversation. PAGE 7 bottom. PAGE 5 thing of the past? PAGE 10

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY PROFESSORS G AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS G N.Y.C. CENTRAL LABOR COUNCIL G N.Y.S. AFL-CIO G NEW YORK STATE UNITED TEACHERS 2 NEWS & LETTERS Clarion | February 2006 Governor’s budget fails CUNY

By PETER HOGNESS PSC presses for more state dollars goal to [have] 70% of courses taught ition of “full-time” study from 12 to by full-time faculty.” Between 2002 15 credit-hours – a move that would Governor George Pataki unveiled and 2004, the percentage of instruc- prevent many CUNY students from his state budget blueprint on Janu- tion by full-time faculty at CUNY’s getting a full TAP award. Such ary 17, a $111 billion proposal that senior colleges did not go up – it changes would cut spending on puts a high priority on tax cuts. The went down. TAP by $190 million. plan calls for decreasing state rev- In response, the PSC urged fund- The smaller tuition increase pro- enue by $16 billion over the next five ing for an additional 600 new full- posed by CUNY administration is years, a formula that would spell time lines, for a total of 800. This to- based on an indexing plan that trouble for CUNY. tal includes 500 lines “to convert Chancellor Goldstein put forward State funding for the operating long-serving adjuncts to full-time po- last Fall. The chancellor has called budget of CUNY’s senior colleges sitions,” London said. Many adjuncts for a “compact” with the state, in would be set at $775.3 million, an in- have taught at CUNY for years, he which Albany would cover the Uni- crease of 2.1%. This is less than the noted, and “they excel at their pro- versity’s mandatory costs, while rate of inflation, and CUNY officials fession” but are not given adequate “modest” annual tuition hikes go to say it would not be enough to cover pay or recognition. These conver- fund new positions and programs. mandatory cost increases. sion lines would help to meet those needs, and would also address the INFLATION e t t

SHORTFALL e s

i needs of CUNY’s students, he said. Pataki’s budget plan supports the o N To address this shortfall, the These 800 new lines and related idea of annual tuition hikes – and in e s i

governor is proposing a tuition W support positions would the future, would let CUNY - l hike of 7.5%, or $300, at CUNY’s se- E cost $25 million, which Lon- Big gap in raise tuition without leg- nior colleges. The executive budget PSC First Vice President Steve London testified in Albany on January 30. “There don said was “a reasonable islative approval and allow also asks for a $500 hike at SUNY, is no substitute for public funding” of CUNY, he told lawmakers. investment” in light of a CUNY/SUNY different tuition rates at dif- and includes changes to the Tu- budget surplus currently funding ferent campuses. But de- ition Assistance Program (TAP) in the treatment of CUNY has been well-funded public university.” estimated at $2-3 billion. spite the talk of “indexing,” ways that would disadvantage stu- particularly unfair. “In 2003 CUNY CUNY’s administration has asked “Spending this year’s state surplus Pataki’s proposed tuition increase is dents. At the community colleges, senior colleges were only funded at the State Legislature for $36 million on billions of dollars more in tax far above inflation – and it provides state aid per full-time equivalent 55% of SUNY state-operated col- more than the amounts proposed by breaks for the wealthy is the wrong for above-inflation tuition hikes in student (or FTE) would rise by leges” in terms of funding per FTE, Pataki. CUNY’s proposal still in- choice,” he argued. any future year when state funding $100, or less than half of what he said. In 1990, this figure was 81%. cludes a tuition increase, but a for CUNY is cut. CUNY had requested. In other words, this disparity is not smaller one, and includes spending WRONG CHOICES “In other words,” commented State budgets that shortchange only large – it is growing. on new initiatives such as 200 addi- The governor’s budget echoed London, “the compact is violated at CUNY are part of a long-running tional full-time faculty lines. The his past proposals to hold back a the outset.” Far from being based on trend, PSC First Vice President Steve RACIAL IMBALANCE PSC supports the University’s re- portion of student’s financial aid political realism, he argued, this London testified at a January 30 com- “It is hard to imagine that the quest for additional public support, grants through TAP. In his current shows that the compact is a losing mittee hearing in Albany. He told leg- CUNY/SUNY funding gap doesn’t but argues that it is not enough. plan, colleges would be required to strategy that lets state government islators that since 1990, state funding have something to do with race,” “In the last three years, student “pre-finance” TAP aid to students off the hook. “There is no substitute for CUNY has dropped by 31% in real London added, noting that 72 per- enrollment at CUNY has increased who have a GED instead of a high for public funding,” London said. He dollars while tuition has doubled. cent of CUNY students are non- by the equivalent of two additional school diploma, money that the urged full public funding of CUNY’s New York’s support for public white. “Along with all other New colleges,” London said. Because hir- state would make up only after the budget needs, instead of “making higher education is inadequate York State residents, they deserve ing has not kept pace, “the Univer- student had completed 24 credits. our already overburdened students across the board, London said – but an equal opportunity to attend a sity has been losing ground in its Pataki would also change the defin- bear extra costs.”

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR | WRITE TO: CLARION/PSC, 25 W. 43RD STREET, FIFTH FLOOR, NEW YORK, NY 10036. E-MAIL: [email protected]. FAX: 212-302-7815. It’s time to modify the Taylor Law

G When Mayor Bloomberg chas- Therefore I suggest that the Tay- Finally, the City itself would ben- saw missiles hurled at us: once an all recoiled at a loud clang just over tised TWU members before their lor Law be amended to provide “cost efit by having better relations with egg thrown from the thirteenth floor our heads and a thud on the ground a strike, pointing out that other City of living increases” while municipal its employees and their unions. We of an apartment building landed on few yards away. Some selfish thug unions have waited three or more employees wait for a new contract could then all work together to the boot of the African-American had thrown a car speaker at us from years without a contract to reach a to be negotiated. provide better services for all New bus driver I was talking to. He said it the highway. It hit a metal structure settlement, I was deeply offended by The public would benefit because Yorkers. felt like a brick had hit his toe. Other and bounced harmlessly away, but it his implicit use of our unfortunate there would be fewer strikes. Man- Robert Cowen workers showed me the egg splash- could have killed someone. plight as a role model. agement would have more incentive Queens College es on the wall behind us, and said a The mechanics’ steward, Irish- Of course it is the Taylor Law to start bargaining in earnest before potato was thrown the day before. American like me, had us all take penalties imposed on unions and contracts expire. Union members The next day a young PSCer had cover under the highway itself. As their members that make it possi- could better plan their financial fu- On the line with the his eight-year-old daughter on the we stood there a little stunned for a ble for the City to drag its feet ture while living in an increasingly transit workers line with us, and while a mechanic moment, it felt like war had been de- in negotiating contracts with its expensive city. G Our billionaire mayor called the from the Windward Isles crouched clared on us. Then – black, Latino, employees. The CUNY Board of Trustees re- strikers “greedy,” our maximize- down to Sophie’s eye level to gently and white – we started marching and cently passed a plan for “cost of liv- profits mayor called them “selfish,” explain the story of the strike, I chanting and talking politics again. ing” tuition increases, saying that our racist mayor called them “thug- found myself instinctively moving in I guess we are at war. I was glad Write to Clarion this will enable the City University gish.” This racist propaganda front of her in case another egg was to serve three days with the TWU, as well as its students better plan seemed calculated to incite some thrown. a union like ours that fights for its Letters should be no more than their financial affairs. Should not people to violence against the most- The same day, on the line near an retirees. 150-200 words in length, and are the same prerogative be extended to ly black and Latino strikers, and it elevated highway, I was talking to the Tony O’Brien subject to editing. CUNY employees? did. On the TWU picket line I twice Latino health and safety guy when we Queens College (retired) Clarion | February 2006 NEWS 3 Contract framework at risk

By PETER HOGNESS surance. Bargaining team member Signs that CUNY won’t deliver OK from State, City Mike Fabricant suggested that a re- At the January 25 meeting of the al challenge to the structural in- union’s Delegate Assembly, PSC equities facing part-timers would President Barbara Bowen spoke on take a campaign even larger than the state of negotiations – and it the one the union has waged on the was a sobering report. Welfare Fund in the current round Although the union and CUNY of bargaining. management had agreed on a “con- Greg Dunkel, a Higher Education ceptual framework” for a settle- Officer, said that the framework did ment in mid-November, Bowen not seem to include many gains for said, there are increasing signs Higher Education Officers (HEOs). that CUNY may not deliver on Bowen answered that it had taken a those terms. (See page 11 for big effort to defeat management’s Bowen’s column.) demands for severe concessions in On November 4, the PSC Execu- HEO working conditions, particular- tive Council had announced that a ly on job security and annual leave. conceptual framework for an ac-

s CLASSIC TACTIC e

ceptable contract settlement was n o ñ i

within reach. “We bargained inten- u Other delegates focused on what Q

a sively for the next several days,” s should be the PSC’s next step. One i Bowen told delegates in January. L urged that a charge of bad-faith bar- “The union bargained in good faith, Clockwise from left, PSC President Bar- gaining be filed against CUNY at and we came to agreement on that bara Bowen, Penny Lewis, Phil Pecori- the Public Employment Relations framework.” no, Holly Clarke, and Alan Feigenberg Board, while another suggested the But now, more than two months at the Jan. 25 Delegate Assembly. time might be ripe for a vote of “no later, it appears that CUNY may de- confidence” in CUNY’s chancellor. cline to follow through with a con- ting at the table with someone who specific provisions can tempt us to Bowen said that the union leader- tract along these lines. “Throughout says, ‘Now, I’ll get approval.’” start bargaining among our- ship was preparing for a number of negotiations,” Bowen told Clarion, CUNY’s Vice Chancellor for Faculty selves,” she said, and can become Lewis of BMCC both said that they ways to respond, and urged dele- “CUNY indicated that while they and Staff Relations responded that divisive if not approached with recognized the difficult choices that gates to remain strong. “Delay is a would have to get final approval “it would be premature to schedule care. “But the Executive Council faced the bargaining team, but classic tactic to make members more from the City and State, they were a bargaining session until we have a felt strongly that we were not will- posed some sharp questions about willing to take anything,” she said. adhering to the collective bargain- firm response from the City and ing to come before you one more changes to the tenure clock, partic- "But our commitment is to stay firm ing patterns the City and State had State as to their position.” On Janu- time and say simply, ‘We’re work- ularly at community colleges. They to the principles that we laid out for approved.” As of early February, ary 25, CUNY informed the PSC that ing on it,’” she told delegates. expressed concern that manage- you: to achieve a non-austerity agree- however, it was the backing of the City and State representatives were ment’s goal is to reduce the number ment; to increase salaries by at least City and State that CUNY has ap- finally prepared to meet, and pro- GAINS of faculty who get tenure and to cre- 10%; to improve our Welfare Fund; parently failed to deliver. posed a date more than halfway in- In the framework, the union ate a junior faculty revolving door. and to win some advances in equity.” to February. The union pushed to agreed to a contract of more than Holly Clarke of John Jay asked Before adjourning, delegates NO BACKING hold that session sooner. (See four years, with new language on why some high-priority adjunct de- unanimously voted to ask PSC The conceptual framework that www.psc-cuny.org for updates.) full-time faculty office hours and up mands were not part of the frame- members to contact the Chancellor, was hashed out in November, “At that meeting,” Bowen said, to a three-day change in the start work. Bowen responded that stabil- and demand that CUNY return to Bowen told delegates, “was ex- “CUNY will present a formal propos- date of the Fall semester; it also ity for the Welfare Fund was a criti- the bargaining table prepared to tremely detailed. Its elements were al indicating whether they are hold- agreed to drop its opposition to cal demand for adjuncts, since the sign an acceptable settlement (see costed-out down to hundredths of a ing to the framework we agreed on.” lengthening the time to tenure. In WF provides their basic health in- page 12). decimal point.” On Novem- Nothing in the City and turn, management agreed to raise ber 14, CUNY e-mailed the Two months State response is official, its proposed wage increase, to dou- provisions that union and for responses she cautioned, until it is pre- ble junior faculty released time and management had ham- sented across the negotiat- to boost sabbatical pay. The two mered out to City and State from the ing table. sides also agreed on a range of equi- The three phases of officials. City, State Bowen emphasized that ty improvements, and management Union negotiators under- the PSC was committed to dropped most of its concessionary stood that final City and State ap- following through on this frame- demands. (For details, see page 11.) proval was required, and that they work when it was worked out in The framework did not encom- would have to verify the cost figures November. “We didn’t work day af- pass a full solution to the needs of bargaining with CUNY with their own calculations. “Yes, it ter day, and often into the night, for the Welfare Fund (WF), Bowen said, takes some time to do these calcula- a fiction,” she told the Delegate As- explaining that the union is seeking PSC bargaining for a new contract June: wage increase above 10%, tions,” Bowen said. “It might take sembly. “We didn’t love every sin- direct assistance from the State, as has gone through three phases funding for restoration of WF bene- two weeks – but not two months.” gle thing in the agreed-on frame- unions such as PEF and UUP, the since the union first asked to open fits and improvements in working As the time dragged on, the union work, but we said we are ready to union of SUNY’s instructional staff, negotiations in September 2002. conditions and equity. The two became increasingly concerned. bring this to our Executive Council, have received in the past. Regular talks began the following sides, however, remained apart. and ask the EC to bring it to the May – but for the next year and a Summer and early fall of 2005 saw PRESSED ON DA.” CONTEXT MATTERS half, CUNY made no economic offer. contract settlements for the police In the meantime, the PSC was not “If what they come across the If CUNY disowns the framework “We held talks for 18 months and public-school teacher a passive spectator. “We pressed table with is unacceptable to us,” it supported in November, Bowen with no offer of money, and Member unions. Meanwhile the PSC CUNY management for answers, she told Clarion, “the bargaining warned, “we will not be willing to when they finally brought one action held its largest membership we spoke directly with City and team is prepared to respond. If the make some of the structural forward, it was for just 1.5%,” meeting ever on September State representatives,” Bowen said. terms can’t be made acceptable, we changes that we were willing to Bowen told union delegates on moved 29, and the union set a dead- “We worked with our affiliate, NY are prepared to pursue political, le- consider in the context of other im- January 25. “They did not CUNY. line of November 3 for sub- State United Teachers, and with the gal and organizing strategies to win provements.” For example, she come forward with a serious stantial progress as it consid- NYC Central Labor Council and what the members need.” said, the PSC cannot support a economic offer until last March.” ered whether to hold a referendum NYS AFL-CIO, who all brought in- change in the tenure clock “if the This marked the second phase of on a possible strike. The new PSC fluence to bear.” Still, there was no MIDSTREAM conditions that support scholarship bargaining, with discussions of mobilization and the settlements definitive response. In the rest of her report, Bowen do not improve.” management’s proposal of 6.25% combined to spark the third phase In January, “we demanded bar- laid out the main provisions of the In the discussion that followed, over four years, plus an additional of bargaining, which led to agree- gaining immediately, and demand- November framework. “This is several delegates focused on the $200 per capita annually for the ment on the November framework. ed that people with the authority to something that negotiating teams content of the November frame- Welfare Fund. CUNY improved this But nearly three months later, close the deal be at the table,” generally don’t want to do in mid- work, though its future was now in offer somewhat in May, and the the future of that framework is in Bowen told delegates. “No more sit- stream,” she said. “Hearing a list of doubt. Charlie Post and Penny union made a counterproposal in doubt. – PH 4 NEWS Clarion | February 2006 HEOs grieve together for fair pay

By PETER HOGNESS HEOs are dedicated to their jobs, ployees are paid what they are Pay shouldn’t stop at 35 hours said Gill. “We don’t mind doing the owed under the law. It’s a common problem for Higher work when it’s needed,” she said, Many HEOs feel that as long as Education Officers and those in re- “but we should be compensated.” their extra hours don’t cost CUNY lated titles. They are constantly ex- “It boils down to two words: time a cent, management will always pected to work far more than the 35- and respect,” said Bandelt. “They push them to work beyond the con- hour week specified in the union expect us to give our time, tract’s 35 hours – not just contract, without compensation. but don’t want to pay us for The contract as an exception, but as the “It’s because there are not enough it. CUNY has been very does not say rule. “We give up being bodies to go around,” said Donna successful at getting stu- with our families and have Gill, a HEO grievance counselor. dents to enroll, and if we’re HEOs must nothing to show for it,” “CUNY wants ‘to do more with less,’ helping to make the Uni- work for free. Bandelt said. and for HEOs that means we’re versity successful, we’d like “I believe we should get overtaxed and stressed. You can’t do to share in that.” paid, and I hope that we will,” said your job properly when you’re try- Nancy Santangelo, an assistant to ing to do three people’s work.” CUNY MUST PAY HEO who works in LaGuardia’s stu- CUNY has not only violated the dent information center. “I have ENOUGH! union contract – it has also violated kept track of all my hours. I know At LaGuardia Community Col- the law. “Many jobs in the HEO se- which days I worked late, and for lege, a group of PSC members have ries are covered by provisions of how long.” In a four-week period last decided to say, “Enough!” The PSC the Fair Labor Standards Act that Fall, she told Clarion, she worked 59 has filed a class-action grievance require paying time-and-a-half after hours of overtime. Bergen urged all seeking pay for people in HEO- 40 hours of work in a single week,” HEOs with uncompensated over- series titles (often just called “HEOs”) explained PSC Legal Director time to document their situation, t e who work in LaGuardia’s Enrollment h Nathaniel Charny. “CUNY admits and to contact a union grievance of- c i o

Management Services. They are h this, but not one of these employees ficer immediately. c S

y seeking compensation for the time r has gotten paid at time-and-a-half.” a they have worked beyond 35 hours, G Though CUNY concedes it must CONSEQUENCES week after week after week. Nancy Santangelo and her coworkers are fighting for their time. pay these employees time-and-a- “There are consequences to not The problem is at its peak during half after 40 hours, it insists that it speaking up,” said Gill, who argued registration, said Robert Bandelt, wear and tear on the people. People director of contract administration, does not need to pay a dime for time the grievance in a January 12 hear- who works in Enrollment Manage- were getting sick.” “and that salary is based on a 35- worked between 35 hours and 40. ing. “It means you’ll keep working ment Services. “There are occasions The group grievance is seeking hour work week. We believe that “According to them, that’s pro-bono those long uncompensated hours. when people worked from 8:30 in the back pay and pay going forward for when a HEO-series employee works work,” Bandelt said wryly. Steve There are consequences for work- morning to 10:30 or 11:00 at night,” time worked beyond the 35-hour beyond the contractual 35 hours, London, chair of the union’s Con- ing those hours – to your family, to he told Clarion. “What happens is work week that the contract speci- they are entitled to be paid for every tract Enforcement Committee, your self, to your life.” that the staff gets dog-tired, they get fies for HEOs. “The contract sets a minute. The contract does not say called CUNY’s stand “outrageous.” Through this class-action griev- burnt out. At the end of the last reg- salary for employees in HEO-series that they must work for free.” The union is evaluating the best ance, HEOs are joining together to istration period, you could see the titles,” said Debra Bergen, the PSC’s Management exploits the fact that way to make sure that covered em- speak up for change.

only out is support from a union like a dozen cases, where the University the PSC. If we can help them, we do. tried to get away with vacuous rea- No one ever wants to be in the cir- sons. Through the grievance and ar- cumstances of having to file a griev- bitration process, we made it clear Grievance counseling ance. But no one should ever miss that the reasons had to be concrete the opportunity to pursue a defense and specific. And if the person was By DANIA RAJENDRA of his or her rights. And by winning never informed of these alleged Two veterans’ reflections these grievances, we are strength- shortcomings, or if the reasons are Howard Prince and Leo Deuster are ening the rights of everyone. factually incorrect, this can be a ba- two of the PSC’s longest-serving me back in 1998 and I’ve been at it everyone’s working career, they are HP: For me, grievances are the sis for challenging the decision. We grievance counselors, with nearly ever since. going to be at cross-purposes with guts of everyday union work. have won for faculty and staff secu- four decades of experience between I was always interested in labor someone in authority. We want to When the union was first in place, rity that they otherwise would not them. Prince is professor emeritus history. My grandmother was a avoid serious conflict – but when we in order to achieve the benefits of have attained. of social science at BMCC, while proud member of the ILGWU, and a have no choice, we have the con- the collective bargaining agree- Deuster is a retired HEO in Acade- shop steward – she got me curious tract to defend our members’ rights. ment there had to be an enforce- What does the PSC’s grievance mic Affairs at the CUNY Central Of- about the whole union thing. HP: Doing grievances is like play- ment mechanism, so our rights effort look like today? fice. Recently Clarion talked with Leo Deuster: Growing up in Wis- ing chess. I’ve been a chess player could be protected. In that context each of them about the grievance consin, my father was dead set since I was about 12 years old. I like I felt becoming a grievance coun- LD: In the last five years, we’ve tak- process. against unions. Early in my working the analytic aspects of the game, selor was important. en more cases to arbitration and career, I was never opposed to and this has helped me in griev- Over the years, the grievance and subsequently won more cases. The What brought you into griev- unions but I also was not a staunch ances. You’re forced to think and arbitration process has consider- union leadership has communicated ance work? supporter, either. But in the mid-80s plan ahead. You have to anticipate ably enhanced the rights and bene- that they will vigorously defend a friend of mine organized a strong countermoves by your opponent. So fits of the instructional staff. members’ rights through the griev- Howard Prince: I was active in the PSC chapter at 80th Street and I sup- if you raise an issue in the context of ance process and they have backed union from the time I was hired, in ported him. When he retired, he the grievance, you have to antici- For example? that commitment with additional 1972. I went to union meetings and asked me to do the grievance work pate that your adversary is going to funding. did local stuff on campus, then the and I accepted. have something else to say to HP: When we attained the right to As a result, we now have more chapter leadership asked me to Working at 80th Street also gave counter that, and you have to be be given reasons for non-reappoint- counselors and more legal represen- serve as grievance counselor in me an insider’s look into the work- able to reply accordingly. ment [for full-timers], we had to bar- tation. We’ve won good cases about 1975. I began grievance counseling ings of the university. But it wasn’t gain for it. But then college presi- issues on which we struggled for at the PSC/CUNY central office until I became a full participant in Why do you think grievance dents tried to get away with giving years – for example, on evaluations about three years later. union matters that everything be- counseling is worth doing? vague and unspecific reasons. and the procedures for evaluations. In 1985, I became associate dean gan to fall into place. They’d say, “In my academic judg- We are filing more grievances, at BMCC, so I was management for LD: An administrator could come in ment you have not reached the stan- taking many more grievances to 11 years. CUNY contends that once What’s fun about it? and work here for three years, ter- dards requisite to be reappointed arbitration than ever before and you serve as management, you can’t minate an employee for personal with tenure.” What did the individ- we are having many more positive go back to union representation un- LD: Winning! It’s like scoring a reasons – and now this person’s life ual do wrong? It was fancy language outcomes. And the timeliness of til at least two years pass. I call it touchdown, winning a Super Bowl. is shattered, while the administra- that said nothing. the grievance process has vastly penance [laughs]. The union invited It’s virtually guaranteed that in tor is gone. For those people, their We’ve had case after case, almost improved. Clarion | February 2006 NEWS 5 Transit workers reject contract By DAVE SANDERS lines holding my coats – I need Health care premium sparks defeat someone to take off their coats.” In a move that caught many ob- If a citywide strike fund had al- servers by surprise, members of not to sell out the “unborn” – the raise premium charges if “the rate of Pataki’s backtracking had raised ready been in place, Local 100 could Transit Workers Union Local 100 re- union’s future members. increase in the cost of health benefits doubts among union members and have decided to stay out longer, said jected a proposed contract by a mar- In bargaining with other munici- exceeds general wage increases.” No contributed to the “no” vote. Manny Ness of Brooklyn College, ed- gin of 7 out of 22,451 votes. It was the pal unions, Mayor Bloomberg’s ad- municipal union member is now re- Bloomberg denounced the strikers itor of Working USA. “To have a first time that city transit workers ministration has pushed hard for quired to pay health care premiums, as “thuggish” and “selfish,” and the strong union movement in NYC, we voted down a contract offer after go- two-tier wage agreements, and won but since the strike Mayor Bloomberg class and race overtones of this harsh need a strike fund that goes beyond ing out on strike. significant cuts in starting pay has declared that he will language from the billionaire mayor our immediate unions,” said Ness. At Clarion press time, no date from the largest unions of po- TWU push to change that. provoked some public backlash. Most On January 25, MTA officials filed had been set for new contract talks. lice, firefighters and non-uni- leaders, Local 100 President Local 100 members are black or Lati- for impasse at the Public Employee The MTA was seeking binding arbi- formed employees. Local 100 Roger Toussaint said that no; the union says that 60% pay Relations Board (PERB), the first step tration, a move that was strongly not only rejected a two-tier members the union was willing to more than half their salary for rent. in attempting to impose a deal opposed by the union. approach to pensions, it won resist consider the premium only While the transit shutdown was a through binding arbitration. TWU an MTA commitment to re- arbitration. as part of a deal for lifetime frustrating experience for every bus secretary-treasurer Ed Watt told re- PENSIONS fund extra pension payments health coverage, important or subway rider, many reporters porters the union would fight binding The failed settlement included that about half of the local’s mem- to a workforce that suffers from oc- and commentators expressed sur- arbitration “with all our power” be- salary increases of 10.5% over three bers made between 1994 and 2000. cupational illnesses such as steel prise at the number of people who cause it would prevent members years; lifetime health coverage (a Although Local 100’s executive dust in the lungs and bad knees voiced support for the union. from voting on any resulting contract bridge to Medicare for members board endorsed the deal by a vote of from buses’ air brakes. – one point on which Local 100’s lead- who retire before age 65); and a re- 37 to 4, the rank and file balked at the While about half of Local 100’s STRIKE FUND ership and union dissidents agreed. fund of past extra payments on pen- proposal’s one big concession: paying members concluded that the agree- The week before the strike, Central Opponents of the defeated deal sion contributions. The MTA a health insurance premium of 1.5 % ment offered too little, conservative Labor Council head Brian McLaugh- called for dialogue within the union, dropped its demands for an expan- of their wages. “Members recognize newspapers from the NY Post to the lin called for a solidarity fund of $1.5 and Local 100 announced plans to sion of one-person train operation the package just did not deliver what Wall Street Journal charged that the million, an amount that could be poll members on what course they and other work rule changes. they were expecting,” said Local 100 MTA had rewarded an illegal strike raised by a $1 donation from every would support. The union’s most significant win Vice President Ainsley Stewart, one and given away the store. The main union worker in NYC. City labor lead- In the short run, another walkout was beating back the MTA’s at- of the four “no” votes on the execu- object of their outrage was the pen- ers stood beside Toussaint just before appeared unlikely, particularly given tempt to impose a two-tier system tive board. “We went out on strike to sion refund, particularly upsetting to the walkout started, at a nighttime the divisions within the union. But in for pension payments. Management protect the pension of the unborn, so those who want to see public worker rally and a press conference. late January the MTA staked out a wanted to require all new hires to to speak, only to come back with pensions slashed (see p. 11). Once the strike was actually un- new hard line, demanding big give- contribute 6% of their wages in pen- everyone – born and unborn – having In response, Governor and presi- derway, however, there was little backs on both pensions and health sion contributions, up from the 2% to pay a 1.5% premium.” Stewart and dential candidate George Pataki sign of a concerted labor mobiliza- care. A front-page article in the paid by current employees. Reject- other critics argued that the strike claimed that he had not been in- tion. The New York Times reported Times warned this might backfire, if ing this on the grounds that it would was called off too soon. formed of this part pf the deal, and that on the second day, Toussaint union members conclude that they divide the union and weaken it for Opponents of the settlement point- he urged the MTA to reverse itself told other union leaders, “I don't must choose between unacceptable years to come, Toussaint pledged ed out that it allowed the MTA to and reject it. Toussaint charged that need anyone standing on the side- demands and another strike.

sors (the most experienced and the most sought after) at City Universi- ty’s senior colleges were once com- Bargaining College faculty salaries in NYC petitive with their peers at private colleges, now they are far less. By ANDREW BEVERIDGE CUNY full professors make, on av- for more Queens College erage, $93,000, while those at non- sectarian private colleges in NYC Although few people see New York average about $124,000. Comparative data on CUNY salaries City as a college town, the truth is has been a key part of the PSC’s ar- that the city has the most institu- STRUGGLING gument at the bargaining table, tions of higher learning in the entire In 1980, those teaching at reli- union negotiators say. nation, the most students – and the giously affiliated private colleges “We’ve made a clear case to most teachers as well. At least were earning about $4,000 less than CUNY that our salaries are not 25,000 academics teach about CUNY senior faculty; now they earn competitive and must be raised,” 425,000 students in the city’s 57 col- about $10,000 more. Given these da- said First Vice President Steve Lon- leges and universities. ta, it is not surprising that City Uni- don. Using data from the AAUP’s These teachers do not just edu- versity faculty are severely discon- annual salary survey, he said, cate the next generation of New tented with their pay. “we’ve shown that CUNY has fallen Yorkers, they also enhance the city’s Academics in New York City, es- behind not only in this region but s cultural reputation and strengthen r pecially part-time academics, are nationally – and when we conduct e d its economy. n struggling. New York City’s large searches, we must compete on a na- a S

e

v public university in no way is keep- tional level.” a TURMOIL D ing up with the other four-year col- To take its case to the public, the But what does the City do for NYU graduate workers continue their strike. leges in the city. Graduate students union has highlighted the problem them? As a whole, teachers of high- are on strike at NYU; there are of “the missing professors” at ral- er learning in New York earn less The median income for full-time in the year 2000 of New Yorkers grumblings at Columbia; many lies and in legislative testimony – than City elementary school teach- professors with at least a master’s whose primary occupation was CUNY graduate students commute dramatizing examples of promising ers. This helps explain some of the degree is $57,000 – or $3,000 less academia (and who had at least a by subway from campus to campus. job candidates or departed col- current turmoil in academia, with a than the median income for all New master’s degree) was $45,000 – or a Yet New York City is still a place leagues, lost because of CUNY’s strike by graduate assistants at Yorkers with master’s degrees. thousand dollars less than the medi- where many academics would be non-competitive salaries. NYU, and stalled contract negotia- And this is only the full-time fac- an income for elementary and sec- pleased to work – if they could find The 2002 contract settlement tions between the administration of ulty; there are no more than 16,000 ondary school teachers in the city. a job, and afford to live here. was the first in a decade to provide CUNY and the PSC. people who teach full-time in New wage increases above inflation. Faculty salaries vary widely at York at the university level. Anoth- PUBLIC VS. PRIVATE A longer version of this article, But with so much lost ground to re- NYC’s colleges and universities. As er 11,000 who call academia their There are a wide variety of col- which originally appeared in cover, the PSC has emphasized, a full professor at NYU, you could primary occupation teach only part- leges and schools in New York City, Gotham Gazette, can be found at CUNY salaries are still lower in make $135,000; as an assistant pro- time; their median income is only and since 1980, private and reli- www.gothamgazette.com/article/de- real-dollar terms than they were in fessor at Boricua College, you could $22,000. Academics forced to accept giously affiliated institutions of mographics/20060124/5/1732, with ta- 1972. In fact, they are worth about make under $35,000. But the truth is, adjunct positions are often paid higher learning in NYC have over- bles and additional statistics, a note a third less than a generation ago – more teachers make toward the roughly $3,000 per course. taken the public university in many on sources, and a breakdown on and a gap that large will not be lower end than toward the higher. This means the median earnings ways. While salaries for full profes- each CUNY college. easy to close. – PH 6 NEWS Clarion | February 2006 HIGHER ED IN BRIEF New chancellor for SUNY FY 2006 – the PSC budget On December 19, the SUNY Board of Trustees named John Ryan, a By JOHN HYLAND spent on people doing mobilization retired vice admiral in the US PSC Treasurer and outreach. The compensation of Navy, as chancellor of the 64- Five main areas of expense the associate executive director is campus SUNY system. His prede- The PSC budget organizes the fi- working conditions. NYSUT works nificant part of the union’s work. listed under professional staff, but cessor, Robert King, had no for- nancial resources of the union. The with the PSC in promoting our inter- Paid in money or reassigned time, her activity is entirely focused on mal experience leading colleges main goal of the budget is to man- ests at the state level, particularly in they often times work beyond their organizing and mobilizing. There- prior to his 1999 appointment. In age the PSC’s finances in a way that relation to the State budget, legisla- remuneration. fore, the union actually spends contrast, Ryan has been president maximizes the union’s effective- tion and elections. We have 12 professional staff who more resources on mobilizing and of three different institutions, in- ness in serving our members, and We are also affected by Federal lead, supervise and support the outreach than $816,000. cluding SUNY Maritime College, in building and channeling the pow- policies in terms of funding and leg- main areas of union activity. There The fifth major area is contract SUNY Albany, and the US Naval er of the membership. islation. The premise of are 10 support staff who carry out enforcement, which includes griev- Academy. Some conservative Each year, the union’s Affiliates, being in a statewide or na- other key functions. Reassigned ances, arbitration, and legal work. trustees have pushed for SUNY to budget is presented in Clari- personnel, tional federation is that time and stipends are allocated to Similarly to mobilizing and out- endorse the controversial “Acade- on; the current budget is for we have more political chapter chairs, grievance coun- reach, the expenditures for union mic Bill of Rights” developed by the fiscal year of September operations, clout. We work on nation- selors, and project leaders. staff who work on contract enforce- right-wing pundit David Horowitz, 1, 2005, through August 31, outreach, al issues with and through A third important aspect of the ment are accounted for under per- but Ryan is not keen on the idea, 2006. As shown in the accom- our national affiliate, the expenditures is union operations. sonnel. In that way the union ex- according to William Scheuer- panying table, the union’s in- enforcement AFT, to whom we also pay This covers the union’s physical in- pends more resources on that im- man, head of the union for come comes mainly from members’ significant dues and from whom we frastructure – office space, equip- portant priority. SUNY’s faculty and professional dues and non-members’ “fair share” receive reimbursement for certain ment (telephones, computers, staff. Scheuerman, president of fees. Other important sources are activities, such as organizing. copiers), services, and materials. MOVING United University Professions, support from our national affiliate A fourth component of expendi- This fiscal year the PSC budget told Inside Higher Education that (the American Federation of Teach- AFFILIATES tures is mobilization and outreach. has two special, one-shot elements: Ryan “is very supportive of acad- ers, or AFT) and our state affiliate The PSC also participates in the In many ways it is the key to the on the income side, additional emic freedom.” (NY State United Teachers, or NY- American Association of University strength of the union, since it in- dues/fees from an expected contract SUT); returns on investment of re- Professors, the State Federation of cludes communication with the settlement with retroactive money, serve funds; and fees for services the AFL-CIO, the New York City members, meetings of members and, on the expenditure side, costs Florida State returns gift rendered to the Welfare Fund and Central Labor Council and the Mu- and affiliates, campaigns, and com- related to the PSC’s office move to Florida State University returned the Credit Union. nicipal Labor Committee. These or- mittees. Yet the funds allocated in lower Manhattan later this year. A a gift of $11 million dollars to Pro- ganizations work with the PSC on the budget appear less than other large portion of the construction fessor Robert Holton, a chemistry EXPENDITURES issues such as academic freedom support areas. Why? Because bud- costs will be borne by the landlord, professor at FSU. Holton made a On the expenditure side, the PSC and tenure, and State and City fund- get categories do not break out how but the PSC has expenditures for ar- fortune on his 1980’s research that pays significant dues to NYSUT, the ing for higher education. While the union personnel or operations con- chitectural, legal, and construction led to Taxol, an anti-cancer drug. state federation of educators’ strength of the PSC is rooted first of tribute to mobilization and out- oversight. Holton and his foundation have unions, which also includes school- all in the actions of its own member- reach. For example, a large propor- For more details on the PSC bud- tried to give tens of millions of dol- related personnel and some units of ship and leadership, we are political- tion of the funds for professional get, visit the union website at lars to FSU for a new chemistry nurses. NYSUT has over 550,000 ly stronger because of our links with staff and support staff are actually www.psc-cuny.org/documents.htm. building, but FSU officials say members in institutions from K-12 these affiliates and the services and the gifts have strings attached – and higher education. As profes- support they bring. namely, that the department focus sional workers in public institu- The second biggest category of PSC Budget 9/1/05 – 8/31/06 on Holton’s specialty, synthetic tions, we are deeply affected by New expenditure is personnel. This is organic chemistry. York State in terms of funding and the cost of the people who do a sig- Income “No professor has the right to Dues and fees $ 9,139,000 create a shrine to his own research NYSUT reimbursement $ 1,356,000 area with public funds,” said FSU AFT reimbursement $ 129,000 president T. K. Wetherell. Investments, rental income, services $ 483,000 Holton and FSU were scheduled Total $ 11,161,000 to attempt court-ordered mediation Our money at work to work out the difficulties involved Expenditures with the gifts. FSU has made some During the past year I have partici- with the PSC’s efforts to recruit Affiliate dues $200 million off the rights to Taxol, pated in meetings of the AFT Orga- members to help in their graduate and Holton has also made separate nizing Committee for the PSC. It student employee organizing drive (NYSUT, AFT, AAUP, MLC) $ 5,620,000 money for inventing the process by has been an important learning ex- at Ohio State. Union operations $ 1,172,000 which Taxol is made. perience in terms of understanding There are 23 so-called “right-to- Personnel and related expenses $ 3,184,000 organized labor among educators, work” states where union rights are Mobilization and outreach $ 816,000 In a CIA prison on bad from kindergarten through gradu- restricted; many do not allow collec- Contract enforcement and related expenses $ 195,000 information ate school. One important aspect is tive bargaining for public employ- Contingencies $ 15,000 related to PSC dues to our ees. In many states, in- Total $ 11,002,000 “Wrongful Imprisonment,” an in- national affiliate, the AFT. Sustaining come of teachers, profes- vestigative report in the Decem- Sometimes members won- teacher and sors, and related staff are Operating budget surplus $ 159,000 ber 4 Washington Post, included der what we receive for our lower than in New York. one passage of particular interest almost two million dollars in academic To a considerable degree, Dues/fees related to retroactive salary increases to academics: dues. Without giving a com- the PSC is helping to keep (one-time) $ 139,000 “[T]here is no tribunal or judge plete rundown of every way unionism alive teacher and academ- to check the evidence against the PSC benefits, there is one ele- ic unionism on a national scale. Surplus with one-time income from dues/fees $ 298,000 those picked up by the CIA. The ment which I have come to appreci- While geographically distant, same bureaucracy that decides to ate in a new way through conversa- these unions are important to the Expenses related to move to 61 Broadway capture and transfer a suspect for tions at these meetings – the sup- PSC because important policy and (architect, attorney, project manager, engineers, interrogation – a process called port we give to our colleagues in funding decisions are made nation- moving, telephone, A/V, IT consultants) $ 344,000 ‘rendition’ – is also responsible for parts of the country where educa- ally. In addition, if educators’ unions policing itself for errors. tional workers’ unions are vulnera- across the country are eliminated or Overall: deficit (6 minus 5) $ 46,000 “The CIA inspector general is in- ble, especially in the South and weakened, we may become an “is- vestigating a growing number of Southwest. land of privilege” in the eyes of oth- Amortizable costs for 61 Broadway (from Reserves) what it calls ‘erroneous rendi- A former AFT Vice President er workers and vulnerable to at- Construction costs tions’….The list includes several from Texas spoke with great appre- tacks on our salary schedules, pen- (additional design elements) $ 100,000 people whose identities were of- ciation of the financial support from sion and health benefits. Furniture $ 125,000 fered by al Qaeda figures during the national union, and the visits by Supporting teachers’ unions CIA interrogations, officials said. UFT members during the summer across the country is not an act Equipment One turned out to be an innocent to “talk union” with Texas teachers. of charity. By supporting other (telephone, AV, computer-related) $ 160,000 college professor who had given the In the Midwest an AFT Vice Presi- public education unions, we sup- Total $ 385,000 al Qaeda member a bad grade….” dent from Ohio was very pleased port ourselves. – JH Clarion | February 2006 NEWS 7 Hunter academic freedom report

By PETER HOGNESS able to discuss freely and openly and DANIA RAJENDRA Disagreements about “climate of fear” are the conditions of their academ- ic institution,” Tronto said. From The Hunter College Senate’s Select this vantage point, she said, the is- Committee on Academic Freedom sue of fear of administrative retali- reported in December that it was ation in disputes or debates over concerned about “perceptions of a college policy is very much an aca- climate of fear” in public discussion demic freedom issue. of college issues. The committee presented its report (available at SHARED GOVERNANCE www.hunter.cuny.edu/senate) to While it has not been addressed the college’s Senate on December as directly in discussion of the com- 14, where it drew both criticism and mittee’s report, the nature of shared praise. governance has been at issue as In an announcement issued in well. At the December Senate meet- March 2005, the committee invited ing, Rabinowitz cited a national members of the college community trend of increasing conflicts be- who had “substantive examples of tween faculty and administration what has been called a...‘culture of about decision-making, and called fear’” to meet with the committee Hunter’s climate one of “transition” and share their concerns. In the rather than fear. She suggested that months that followed, it received traditional shared governance may private testimony from 27 people – be in need of redefinition, asking, including 21 tenured professors, or “What does effective shared gover- 5% of the tenured faculty. Twelve nance look like in a world of perfor- untenured professors contacted mance objectives, results-oriented committee members, but chose not management, broad civic participa- to testify because they said they tion, declining state aid, and brutal feared retaliation, even though the market forces?” committee had pledged to keep all Tronto told Clarion that such fac- s details confidential. e tors lead her to conclude that “we n o ñ

i need more shared governance, not u Q

INTERFERENCE?

a less.” s i In its report, the committee said L The report’s recommendations, it had received no accounts of inter- Members discussed their different takes on administrative attention at a December Hunter Senate meeting. emphasizing the need for open dis- ference with classroom teaching. cussion, were due to be considered But it cited a number of reports of committee had offered complete did not have investigatory powers, tives to meet with the committee by the Senate in February. Interest- administrative interference on is- confidentiality – “they wanted to and as all who testified were guar- but that they had not done so. ingly, one of them – a call for the sues of curriculum and research, as find out what the grievances are” –- anteed confidentiality, it was un- Frank Kirkland, chair of the phi- Hunter community to cooperate well as in decisions on hiring, pro- it limited the report’s value. “I don’t able to verify all accounts or hear losophy department, told Clarion with a current AAUP inquiry on the motion and tenure. Administration know what we’re supposed to do different perspectives on the re- that while the specific allegations state of academic freedom at CUNY, disrespect for shared governance with generalities,” he said. He said ported incidents....[O]thers may in the report must be approached including Hunter – received some was the focus of several com- the suggestion that there is a cli- have different perspectives.” The with caution, the concerns that it support from faculty with very dif- plaints. Finally, it said, “the most mate of fear at Hunter is “wildly report’s authors described raised deserved attention. ferent views. consistent – and disturbing – find- overblown.” themselves as being in Questions “Since the committee had ing, heard from numerous testifiers Two department chairs who something of a bind: the no investigative power,” AAUP SURVEY discussing very different issues, spoke at the Senate meeting, Ada guarantee of confidentiality about he said, “there could be “My understanding is that the was a perception that dissent could Peluso of the math department and “prevents the Committee on shared things in it that are inflat- AAUP is going to administer a sur- lead to retaliation.” Jay Roman of film and media stud- Academic Freedom from re- ed. Who knows?” But this vey instrument, developed by Acting Provost Vita Rabinowitz ies, said they had not perceived any porting the specific details governance does not mean that it can AAUP, to all faculty and profession- strongly disputed the report, charg- such negative climate; Peluso re- that most concerned it.” be ignored, he said. “It’s al staff, full-time and part-time, on ing that the committee “did not be- ferred to it as “this so-called ‘fear.’” Committee Chair Stuart Ewen, important that it identified a cer- administration respect for faculty gin this inquiry with an open distinguished professor of film and tain kind of sentiment,” Kirkland rights,” said Ewen. “I think people mind.” She challenged the commit- APPLAUSE media studies, described the report explained. “Whether this senti- need to speak out through this in- tee’s procedure as bad social sci- Other faculty members applaud- as an important first step. He said ment is more widely shared should strument, and they need to speak ence, arguing that “the vagueness ed the report for bringing what they in January that the significance of be ascertained.” out in other contexts.” of the alleged offenses” and the said had been a common topic in pri- the testimony that the committee Young said that the AAUP survey number of people involved meant it vate out into the open for discus- received is not only in the number DEBATE could offer a way to address some of was impossible to draw any conclu- sion. The fact that many faculty of complaints, but in the wide- A major point of contention, in what he thought were the biggest sions. “We can no more conclude members are afraid to speak openly spread anxiety about remaining the Senate discussion and after, has limitations of the report. “What we that there is a climate of fear than on college issues “is not a big se- anonymous. “It’s one thing if one been over the definition of academ- have now is a core group of vocal we could conclude that 95% of the cret,” Bill Sweeney, a professor of or two people have a certain kind ic freedom. Rabinowitz charged people who are concerned,” he said. tenured faculty are delighted with chemistry, told the Senate. “The fact of perception,” he told Clarion. In- that the committee had used an “Is this really a college-wide issue, state of academic freedom,” she that 5% of the tenured faculty have stead, said Ewen, “we had a signif- “overbroad definition of academic or is it localized?” The survey said at the December 14 Senate come forward with specific com- icant number of people come for- freedom,” and that the report “of- should shed some light on this, meeting. plaints of a violation of academic ward....A lot of them were senior ten appears to conflate academic Young said. freedom is horrifying,” he added, as people, and everyone was nervous freedom with shared governance.” Kirkland also cited the AAUP sur- CRITICISM was the fact that a dozen untenured about retaliation. And that’s a She told the Senate, “I urge you to vey as a valuable next step. “The Similar criticisms were heard faculty were so concerned about re- problem.” resist the temptation to frame diffi- point remains as to whether the from some faculty members. Jason taliation that they would not even In presenting the report to the culties with shared governance on committee report captured a more Young, head of Hunter’s Faculty testify in private about problems Senate, Ewen emphasized that our campus as infringements of general sentiment,” he told Clarion. Delegate Assembly, told the Senate they had observed. “vague generalizations were nei- academic freedom.” “The AAUP is looking into this is- that “in light of the supporting evi- “What we ought to be doing is ther solicited nor considered.” The Asked about the relationship be- sue, and the manner in which they dence that is provided,” the report’s opening up a dialog [to] discuss committee only accepted testimo- tween the two, Rabinowitz told do so is time-tested.” A strength of conclusions “are far too general.” this,” agreed Sandra Clarkson, pro- ny from “people with firsthand ex- Clarion that “at its best, shared gov- the survey, he added, is that it is na- Given the lack of detail in the report, fessor of mathematics. She said she perience and/or observations of ernance is a foundation for academ- tionally normed and so provides a he said, “there is very little to give found it unlikely that “the 27 people what they believed to be a viola- ic freedom.” basis for comparison. “Unlike the an indication of how broad these is- who went to the committee lied or tion...of academic freedom,” he Senate President Joan Tronto administration, I don’t think that sues are.” hallucinated...about what went on.” said. As for being one-sided, he not- answered the same question with a bringing in a third party to get a bet- In January, Young told Clarion The report itself acknowledges ed to Clarion that the committee different emphasis. “Among the ter sense of these matters is wrong,” that while he understood why the that it is limited: “As the committee invited administration representa- things that professors need to be Kirkland concluded. 8 BENEFITS Clarion | February 2006

CALENDAR

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10: 6:00 pm / Labor Goes to the Movies shows Nothing But a Man, see review on page 9. At Identity theft at TRS CCNY Center for Worker Education, 99 Hudson Street, 6th floor. For more By CLARION STAFF Clarissa Gilbert Weiss at 212-354- information, contact Dania Rajendra, Few PSC members affected 1252 or email [email protected]. [email protected]. No RSVPs. In January, PSC leaders were furi- The PSC has been in contact with ous to learn that some members in the union conclusively who was af- cancellation requests over the phone TRS and will continue to monitor TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14: 6:00 pm / the New York City Teachers Retire- fected by this theft of information, if the member uses his or her PIN. this situation. Women’s Committee meeting at the ment System (TRS) may have been because the investigation is ongo- Members who wish to submit writ- PSC office, 25 West 43rd Street, 5th victims of identity theft. As de- ing. So even though the odds are ten cancellations should use TRS FALSE ALARM AT TIAA-CREF floor. For more information, contact scribed in news reports, some City small that you were affected, it is Form BK19 – available at the TRS Recently, the state comptroller Norah Chase, [email protected]. employees, both active and retired, important to take precautions. website (go to www.trs.nyc.ny.us sent some members of the CUNY in- who are members of the TRS had and click on “Forms,” then on “Post- structional staff who are members TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21: 6:00 pm / Sol- money illegally taken from their pri- PRECAUTIONS Retirement”). TRS is expediting the of TIAA/CREF a letter stating that a idarity Committee meeting at the vate bank accounts. Identity thieves There are several steps that the processing of these forms. file sent from the comptrollers’ of- PSC office. For more information, reportedly used a temporary em- PSC advises you to take: 3. Make sure you fill out the prop- fice was missing. That file has been contact Jim Perlstein, jperlstein@ ployee working in the TRS office to 1. Examine bank account state- er paperwork with TRS to notify found and it was intact – it had sim- bassmeadow.com. gain private information on mem- ments over the past two years for them of your account change. ply been delivered to the wrong ad- bers and beneficiaries. any accounts for which TRS has Please let the PSC know if you dress. The comptrollers’ MONDAY, MARCH 13: 6:00 pm / Solidar- TRS says that Social Security been given the account numbers. It have closed your account. We TRS must office has since sent a fol- ity Committee meeting at the PSC numbers and bank account informa- is important that you check for any do not want account informa- safeguard low-up letter explaining office. For more information, con- tion for members and their benefi- unauthorized withdrawals. If you tion, just your name. We will that no personal informa- tact Jim Perlstein, at jperlstein ciaries may have been compro- have beneficiaries with account then follow up with TRS to members’ tion was compromised. @bassmeadow.com. mised and it has contacted those it numbers in TRS’s system, they make sure they have updated identity. The PSC is in touch with believes to have been affected. your information. Please call both TIAA-CREF and the THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16: 5:30 pm / While information on more than or email Clarissa Gilbert Weiss at state comptroller’s office and will Health and Safety Watchdogs host 5,000 accounts was accessed, only a YOUR BENEFITS 212-354-1252 or [email protected]. continue to monitor this situation. an official from the New York City small percentage are accounts of 4. Contact a commercial credit While it was a relief to be told Office of Emergency Management PSC members. In a few cases, per- should also be advised to check protection service. NYSUT has that this had been a false alarm, the at the PSC office. For more informa- sonal bank accounts were accessed their accounts. made arrangements with Equifax to incident is still a good reminder of tion contact Dave Kotelchuck, by thieves and funds withdrawn. 2. If you feel your account may provide PSC members with three the dangers of identity theft, and [email protected]. Several people have been arrested have been compromised, close your months free service and a deeply the PSC strongly urges people to in connection with the case. account and open a new bank ac- discounted annual charge for this monitor their personal accounts. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24: 6:00 pm / Labor count with a new bank. If your pen- service. This is also a good time to request Goes to the Movies and the PSC In- ACCOUNTABILITY sion check is deposited via Electron- 5. This is a good time for you to re- a free credit report from www.con ternational Committee show Gran- “The PSC is doing everything we ic Fund Transfer (EFT) and you quest a free credit report. For infor- sumer.gov/idtheft. ito de Arena, a documentary about can to assist members with this prob- don’t want an interruption in ser- mation on that and more on protect- More information on how to pro- the fight to save public education in lem,” said Deborah Bell, PSC execu- vices, TRS asks you to let them ing your identity, go to this govern- tect yourself against identity theft Mexico. At CCNY Center for Work- tive director. “We are also demand- know by the 20th of the month when ment website: www.consumer.gov/ can be found in an article on page 9 er Education. For more information, ing that TRS take steps to ensure you change your account, and they idtheft/ of the December 2003 Clarion, avail- contact Dania Rajendra, drajen- better accountability in the future.” will send you a paper check. The Also, if you received a letter on able on the web at www.psc-cuny. [email protected]. No RSVPs. Unfortunately, TRS cannot tell TRS Call Center is accepting EFT this topic from TRS, please contact org/communications.htm.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26: 9:30 am / International Committee meeting. President of CUPE, told the London Contact Renate Bridenthal for loca- LABOR Free Press that the province’s Liber- tion, [email protected]. al Party government “is going to IN BRIEF learn that you don’t touch people’s MONDAY, MARCH 6: 1:00 pm / Retiree pension plans and make these kinds Chapter meeting featuring Susanne of rapid changes without a fight.” Paul of Global Action and Judith Sago coal co. can’t The proposed legislation would Rudman of NYSUT. At the CUNY shut out union transfer control of the pensions Graduate Center, rooms 9404-9405. from the province to local munici- Safety experts from the United palities. CUPE says that the bill does MONDAY, MARCH 6: 6:00 pm / HEO- Mine Workers of America have the not give unions proper representa- CLT Professional Development right to enter the Sago coal mine to tion on pension boards, and that it U I

Fund Committee meeting. Commit- take part in the investigation of the E would not hold pension managers S

9

tee meets to review applications for mining accident that killed 12 work- 9 accountable. The union is demand- 1 1 /

professional development grants. ers in West Virginia, ruled federal s ing that it be allowed to negotiate o g e

Applications will be reviewed on the Judge Robert Maxwell. As per fed- l the terms of any changes to mem- l a G first Monday of each month through eral regulations on mine safety, a bers’ pensions. a d n i

June. Contact Linda Slifkin, 212-354- group of Sago mine workers, who l e 1252, [email protected]. are not unionized, designated the B UMWA to represent them in the in- On Martin Luther King Day, thousands of 1199/SEIU members and supporters took FRIDAY, MARCH 10 / The PSC Women’s vestigation. But International Coal part in a march and rally for home care workers’ rights – including a living wage. Election notice Committee hosts an International Group, whose subsidiary owns the Women’s Day event. Time, place mine, barred union staffers, accus- fessors organized under the Ser- among adjuncts in private colleges The Election Notice in the January TBA. For more information, contact ing the UMWA of trying to interfere vice Employees International and universities throughout the Clarion omitted the two new posi- Norah Chase, [email protected]. in the investigation and improperly Union. With 700 adjuncts voting, state,” said Mark Chaykin, NY- tions of Retiree Executive Council conducting an organizing cam- unionization was endorsed by a 10- SUT’s director of field operations. Officer. The PSC sent a letter to all FRIDAY, MARCH 10: 6:00 pm / Labor paign. Cecil Roberts, president of vote margin in an October 2004. retirees informing them that the Goes to the Movies shows Ten, an the UMWA, called ICG’s attacks The university is asking the US election schedule for those posi- Iranian film about a women cab dri- baseless and asked, “Is there some- Court of Appeals for the District of 100,000 Ontario public tions are the same as all others: ver and the stories of her passen- thing there that they don’t want in- Columbia to review the labor employees OK strike nominating petitions must be re- gers. At CCNY Center for Worker dependent, outside eyes to see?” board’s decision, claiming that 30 ceived by 5:00 p.m. on March 1. Education. For more information, more university employees should Members of Canadian Union of Pub- Mail ballots will be sent out on contact Dania Rajendra, drajendra have had the chance to vote. lic Employees (CUPE) in Ontario, April 3 and must be received by @pscmail.org. No RSVPs. Adjuncts score union In December, Syracuse Universi- which represents over 100,000 public the American Arbitration Associa- wins in DC, Syracuse ty adjuncts voted 182-122 to union- workers throughout Canada’s most tion by 5:00 p.m. on April 24. If you THURSDAY, MARCH 16: 5:30 pm / ize as members of the New York populated province, authorized do not receive a ballot by April 10, Health and Safety Watchdogs The National Labor Relations State United Teachers/American their executive committee to call a call the AAA at 800-529-5218. Only meeting. For more information, Board ruled that George Washing- Federation of Teachers. “This is a strike if provincial legislation over members of the Retiree Chapter contact Dave Kotelchuck, dkotelch ton University is breaking the law significant victory for NYSUT in municipal employees’ pension plans may vote for these positions. Clar- @hunter.cuny.edu and must recognize adjunct pro- our effort to build union density isn’t reworked. Sid Ryan, Ontario ion regrets the omission. Clarion | February 2006 FILM REVIEW 9

NOTHING BUT A MAN Simple and still revolutionary

By BRIDGETT M. DAVIS It’s worth noting too, that the expression of love and playfulness between a black man ineteen sixty-four was a year and black woman in the film was equally in which black men made revolutionary for its time (and even now), as headlines. it shows genuine affection rather than blunt Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. sexuality. won the Nobel Peace Prize. In- Nothing But A Man was a critical success Nspiring. A jury let the killers of civil-rights when it was released, debuting at the activist Medgar Evers walk free. A blow. A Venice Film Festival as the only American man named Cassius Clay won the world film in competition, where it won the Prix heavyweight championship; within two San Giorgio and the City of Venice prize. It weeks he was a member of the Nation of Is- immediately resonated with American crit- lam named Muhammad Ali. Defiant. Civil- ics as a socially conscious outgrowth of the rights worker James Chaney was murdered civil rights movement. Its release was rele- in Mississippi, along with his white com- gated to art houses, however. So ahead of its rades Michael Schwerner and Andrew time, the film had little national exposure Goodman. Another blow. Across the globe, beyond the underground success it enjoyed South African freedom fighter Nelson Man- amongst black cinéastes with 16-mm projec- dela was sentenced to life in prison. Each of tors. In 1993, nearly 30 years after it first these men in the news fought, was impris- came out, the film had a brief re-release and oned or died for the basic right to live with was added to the National Film Registry. human dignity. REVOLUTIONARY DIGNITY Through the prism of today’s visual aes- Amidst all the upheavals of that year, it thetics, Nothing But a Man has a quaint, is a wonder that a small, independent film studied quality. In an effort to avoid senti- managed to do in its quiet and elegant way mentalism as well as sensationalism, the the same thing those making headlines director chose an unmannered, stripped- were attempting – champion the black down style with his actors. Characters man’s dignity. Nothing But a Man had a sometimes appear emotionless. (And you simple but revolutionary storyline: Duff Abbey Lincoln and Ivan Dixon play the central characters in Nothing But a Man. wonder why Abbey Lincoln was made to (Ivan Dixon), a black man who travels the wear that awful wig throughout, given how South working on the railroad, falls in love Michael Roemer and Robert Young, for- ploitation films that followed in the next unnatural it looked.) If only all those fine with and marries Josie, a teacher and mer Harvard classmates and television doc- decade. The biggest distinction is that Noth- actors had been allowed to relax into the preacher’s daughter (Abbey Lincoln). umentary filmmakers, made the film with a ing But a Man captures black folks as they roles a bit, inhabit them more, as Ivan When he tries to settle into a “normal” life six-person crew, drawing on their expertise really are, in all their messy complexity. No Dixon so clearly did. in small-town Alabama, Duff finds that his to give the film its authentic, documentary one is larger-than-life, and most important- Still, those are small criticisms of the demand for basic respect from whites is feel. Roemer directed, Young photographed ly, no one is caricatured or stereotyped, or filmmakers’ larger success of portraying seen as radical, troublemaking and unac- and the two shared screenwriting credits. for that matter, made to look “positive.” In- black dignity on the big screen. Having ceptable. He loses one job, then another. He Both Roemer and Young were white men, stead, thanks to subtle yet strong perfor- watched the film again recently, I wonder refuses to pick cotton for $2.50 a day. His and I’ve often wondered how much the mances, we are given a glimpse into a world how it was that the civil rights movement wife becomes pregnant. He needs work. black actors and actresses on the set helped seldom seen in American popular culture – and the Black Power movement, which to- Pressure mounts, and his anger grows, to create the nuanced dialogue that was so that of a black man’s internal life. gether spawned a black arts movement in causing a downward spiral that threatens insightful about black life. literature, music, and fine art, didn’t do all that he has come to value – before he The range and complexity of portrayals is RESONATING likewise for black film? catches himself and decides to live with extraordinary. We see all types of black It is an equally resonating portrayal of Sure, there was the militancy and sexual dignity regardless of the consequences. men behaving in a variety of ways – joke- black women. No sassing, no hands-on-hips, bravado of the blaxploitation films, and the ster, drunkard, skeptic, Uncle Tom, traitor, no bitchiness. Rather, the incomparable 80’s and 90’s saw a spate of engaging films SEMINAL hapless father, preacher, pillar of society. In Abbey Lincoln (who as a jazz singer made about black life in and out of the ghetto. Forty years hence, it’s hard to fully ap- each portrayal we see how and why they’ve her acting debut in this film) shows along- Even now, we can look to several black ac- preciate how seminal Nothing But A Man become what they are; and we don’t judge side other key actresses the powerful strain tors – Denzel Washington, Samuel L. Jack- was at the time. The film debuted five them. We get it. Each and every one of those that black women have come under in try- son, Don Cheadle, Jeffrey Wright, Terrance years before Gordon Parks became the black men is figuring out how to survive, ing to nurture the wounded souls of their Howard and Jamie Foxx most come to first black man to direct a Hollywood fea- how to be in a society that is hell-bent on men. Her pain is palpable, but so are her mind – who have embodied roles that bring ture, with his sweet, palatable film The negating their humanity. The film, solemn deeper understanding and her love for her humanity to the portrayals of extraordinary Learning Tree. And it would be seven and textured, is an unflinching portrayal of husband. “It’s not as hard on a girl,” she tells African American men, or ordinary African years before Melvin Van Peebles titillated the daily indignities that awaited a black Duff after his fruitless day of searching for American men in extraordinary black audiences with his in-your-face black man in America in the ’60’s. work. “They’re not afraid of us.” circumstances. macho film Sweet Sweetback’s Baadassss What other film before or since has so ef- That phenomenon of black men watching But few have followed the precedent set Song. When Nothing But A Man was re- fectively illustrated the corrosive effects of their women being given more opportunity by Nothing But a Man; that is, few contem- leased in theaters, movie-going audiences racism, showing how it can make black men because they were seen as less threatening, porary films set out to convey the complex had seen of black life mostly mammies, chameleons at best, unknown to themselves coupled with black men’s frustration over humanity of everyday black men in every- butlers, buffoons, coons, slaves, maids, at worst? As Duff says to his preacher fa- not finding work at all, often led those men day situations. (Charles Burnett’s films whores and pimps. The exception was the ther-in-law, “You been stoopin’ so long, Rev- to leave their homes in futility. Duff nearly Killer of Sheep and To Sleep With Anger and Sidney Poitier films, which profiled exem- erend, you don’t know how to stand straight makes that choice. When, one year after Billy Woodberry’s Bless Their Little Hearts plary black male characters who were be- anymore. You’re just half a man.” the film came out, the Moynihan Report are three exceptions, but those films were yond reproach and beyond everyday reali- described how systemic racism had led to made 15 to nearly 30 years ago). ty. (Interestingly, Poitier turned down the UNSETTLING “the weakened role of the man in the Negro Things are better for the black man in part of Duff before it was offered to Ivan The film, with its tinny Motown sound- family,” it caused a firestorm of protest. 2006 than they were in 1964. Or so it would Dixon). track, evocative and crisp black and white Yet, watching the film makes it clear how seem. But that raises the question: Why is it photography, its cinema-verité style, and its devastating it is to a family when a man is that Nothing But a Man is as revolutionary use of veteran actors mixed in with real peo- not allowed to “be a man.” Indeed, it weak- today as it was then? ple, is more unsettling than the slew of blax- ens him. See it Feb. 10 Bridgett M. Davis is a professor of journalism and creative writing at Baruch College. Her Nothing But a Man screens as part of the feature film, Naked Acts, was released in 1998, PSC’s film series on Friday, February 10 The corrosive effects of racism, and is now available on DVD and video. Her (see page 8 for details.) The film is also novel, Shifting Through Neutral, was released available on DVD and video. and the complexity of real life. in paperback in 2005. 10 OPINION Clarion | February 2006

IS RETIREMENT HISTORY? TIAA-CREF: the next target?

PSC members who are in TIAA-CREF or Pensions in the crosshairs similar plans also have reason to be con- cerned about attacks on traditional defined- benefit pensions. By WILLIAM TABB care benefits for new employees. Governor The ultimate goal of the current assault Queens College Murkowski was helped by Ruben Barrales, on pension benefits is to shift costs and risk President Bush’s director of intergov- from employers to workers. Both corpora- ach day we read about ernmental affairs, who lobbied tions and the political right want to “free” another major corpora- wavering Republican legislators to employers from responsibility for whether tion ending or freezing support replacing public pensions or not workers have a decent income in its pension benefits. with private savings accounts. retirement. IBM, Verizon and Now medical benefits for those A recent article in the Manhattan Insti- MEotorola are among the many already retired are under attack tute’s City Journal made clear why the right corporations that have made re- in a number of cities and states. wing prefers 401(k)-type plans. It noted ap- cent headlines. New York City under Mayor provingly that private-sector workers are Americans these days have more Bloomberg is working on an ac- more and more likely to be in “401(k)s, to power as voters than as workers, tuarial study which will undoubt- which their employers sometimes con- and it was voter backlash that de- edly show an “alarming” increase in tribute, but only while they are working. feated President Bush’s effort to take the city’s future obligations which we Their employers have no obligation after away Social Security benefits. How- will likely be told must be brought under they retire.” ever, where unions have been militant control. That obligation – to provide workers with they have won important victories on For the right wing, the gutting of pen- a secure retirement – is precisely what the retirement security. The recent New sions in the private sector is not a sign that right wing doesn’t like. That obligation is al- York City transit strike was caused by our country is on the wrong track – rather, so the reason why a defined-contribution the MTA’s attempt to cut pension benefits it is evidence that public worker pensions plan, like TIAA-CREF, includes an employer for new workers, something the union re- must be slashed as well. In the subway contribution. fused to consider and that workers were will- strike, The Manhattan Institute’s E.J. The right’s ideological arguments against ing to strike to prevent. McMahon complained that even if the MTA traditional pensions apply with just as much won all its pension demands, “transit work- force to the idea of employer contributions UNDER ATTACK ers would continue to enjoy guaranteed to a 401(k) or similar plan. Those who be- As these events suggest, developments in pensions that are lavish by private-sector lieve all risk should be born by the individ- the private sector can make things harder standards.” Since any pension is “lavish” ual would prefer that the employer con- for public employees, including members of compared to no pension at all, McMahon is tribute nothing, leaving each employee the PSC. Difficult as it is for many profes- accurate, but that does not justify his pro- “free” to decide how much they can afford to sionals in our union to accept, we are mem- posals for further cuts. save for retirement. bers of the working class and the threats “To which their employers sometimes our union is facing in negotiations are part UNJUSTIFIED contribute….” That phrase hints at the next of a larger attack on working-class living The underlying argument of the Manhat- target of the political right. If they succeed standards. Specifically, what is happening tan Institute and others is that maintaining in eliminating traditional pensions for public to other workers’ health and pension bene- strong union contracts will bankrupt Amer- workers, don’t be surprised if the employer fits does affect us. This connection is impor- ica, because U.S. competitiveness requires contribution is next to come under attack. tant to the politics the PSC engages in and http://i-rui.com that labor surrender its hard-won gains. But – PETER HOGNESS the attitude members take to that work. the way for our society to thrive is by ex- Companies in the Standard & Poor’s 500 workers – and as a result, the federal Pen- panding social protections and extending now have over a trillion dollars in under- sion Benefit Guarantee Corporation (PBGC) them to all Americans. If we want a high- ment. When the market is the arbiter of funded pension liabilities hidden from is picking up more cases than it can handle. wage, high-benefit economy instead of a everything, older workers who cease to be stockholders and workers. The main rea- The Government Accounting Office esti- Wal-Mart future, it is not enough to defend economically active have no value – so why son for this trend is that many companies mates federal fiscal exposure to private the shrinking pensions of today – necessary pay them? failed to make adequate contributions to pension liabilities is now almost a trillion though that is. We must also wage a long- their pension funds in good times, counting dollars. This is true even though the PBGC run fight to establish social benefits on a na- RENEGING ON RETIREES on appreciation of stock holdings and does not in fact pay each worker what they tional basis, as other economically ad- The attack on pensions can, however, high shareholder returns. Now that the were promised by their employer. Modest vanced countries do, and not tie them to be resisted. When California’s Governor market rise no longer covers their obliga- upper limits cost many workers a large employment. Schwartzenegger mounted a campaign to tions, they are refusing to make up for this chunk of their benefits. As long as pensions and health care are eliminate pensions for public employees and irresponsibility. tied to employment, employers will tell replace them with 401(k)-style plans, nurses, While today 60% of private pensions are LOSING BENEFITS workers that they must sacrifice their wages teachers, firefighters and other public work- underfunded, only 20% of the underfunding is A generation ago, about 40% of private- to maintain their benefits, or vice-versa. And ers fought back. Every one of Schwartzeneg- at companies that are considered financially sector employees had a guaranteed pen- unless we fight for security for everyone, the ger’s ballot initiatives went down to defeat, weak. In most cases, the company is prof- sion. Today, the figure is less than 20%. right will use the employer-based patchwork and his political popularity is now at an all- itable but is pushing to extract as much profit With the trend in the private sector well-es- to divide and conquer. “Since you don’t have time low. as possible at the expense of its workers. tablished, state and local governments are old-age security,” they will ask the public, If we defend our current rights, and also following suit, cutting back benefits for re- “why should it exist for city workers or in- think boldly about the fundamental changes STEALING WORKERS’ MONEY tirees and denying coverage to new work- dustrial unions?” that this country needs, we can reverse the At those companies that are in trouble, ers. In a recent instance, the governor of In today’s neoliberal economic climate, current move towards economic Social Dar- there are executives who are turning losses Alaska called a special session of the legis- employers see the chance to renege on the winism. But we cannot do it alone. When we into profits by taking more from their work- lature to cut pension and retirement health promises they made to workers in retire- support transit workers or Delphi employ- ers. Consider one man, Robert S. Miller, who ees, we are also fighting for ourselves. Our specializes in “unlocking hidden value” in union and we as individuals must be part of companies that are losing money. As chief Any pension is lavish compared to none. this larger struggle. executive of Bethlehem Steel, Miller shut down its pension plan and left $3.7 billion in unfunded obligations to a federal agency. Clarion FEBRUARY 2006 Two years later he was CEO at Federal- Mogul, where he did the same thing. Today Newspaper of the Professional Staff Congress/City University of New York, collective bargaining representative of the CUNY instructional staff. Vol. 35, No. 2. PSC/CUNY is affiliated with the American Association of University Professors, the American Federation of Teachers (Local 2334), AFL-CIO, the New York City Central Labor Council, and New York State United Teachers. Published by PSC/CUNY, 25 he is at Delphi, the giant auto parts maker West 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036. Telephone: (212) 354-1252. Web site: www.psc-cuny.org. E-mail: [email protected]. All opinions expressed in these pages are not necessarily those of the PSC. that GM spun off in 1999, where he is disman- PSC OFFICERS: Barbara Bowen, President; Steven London, First Vice President; Cecelia McCall, Secretary; John Hyland, Treasurer; Stanley Aronowitz, Jonathan Buchsbaum, Susan O’Malley, John Pittman, tling the pension plan and asking for pay Sheldon Weinbaum, University-wide Officers; Michael Fabricant, Vice President, Senior Colleges; Robert Cermele, Janice Cline, Nancy Romer, Senior College Officers; Anne Friedman, Vice President, Community Colleges; Samuel E. Farrell, Andrew McInerney, Shirley Rausher, Community College Officers; Iris DeLutro, Vice President, Cross Campus Units; Arthurine DeSola, Steven Trimboli, Vera Weekes, cuts of up to two-thirds while giving himself Cross Campus Officers; Marcia Newfield, Vice President, Part-Time Personnel; Susan DiRaimo, David Hatchett, Diane Menna, Part-Time Personnel Officers; Irwin H. Polishook, President Emeritus; and other top executives an estimated $21.5 Israel Kugler, Deputy President Emeritus; Peter I. Hoberman, Vice President Emeritus, Cross Campus Units. million in the first six months of a proposed STAFF: Deborah Bell, Executive Director; Mary Ann Carlese, Associate Executive Director; Faye H. Alladin, Coordinator, Financial Services; Debra L. Bergen, Director, Contract Administration & University-wide Grievance Officer; Nathaniel Charny, Director, Legal Affairs; Barbara Gabriel, Coordinator, Office Services and Human Resources; Diana Rosato, Coordinator, Membership Department; Sharon Toomer, financial plan. Coordinator, Communications; Clarissa Gilbert Weiss, Director, Pension and Welfare Benefits. Mr. Miller is not the only one busy de- Editor: Peter Hogness / Assistant Editor: Dania Rajendra / Designer: Margarita Aguilar / Intern: Fernando Braga stroying the golden years of American © 2006 Professional Staff Congress/CUNY Clarion | February 2006 OPINION 11

THE CONTRACT Report on negotiations

By BARBARA BOWEN The union identified and organized for context, the PSC negotiating team agreed to to have a much more extensive discussion PSC President three goals in this contract: 1) salary in- consider some proposals management intro- with the membership of the issue of time to creases of at least 10%; 2) stabilization of the duced late in the bargaining – as long as they tenure (though the provision we tentatively n November 14, 2005 – three Welfare Fund and a restoration of the dental would lead to substantial salary increases agreed to would not affect current junior years after the expiration of the benefit; and 3) improvements in equity and and other real advances in working condi- faculty and would also not affect CLTs). The last contract – the Professional working conditions. It’s a measure of the tions. As part of the conceptual framework, union leadership has taken the position that Staff Congress and CUNY man- hostile political climate we face that those we agreed to support a change in the time to time to tenure is a subject CUNY has to ne- agement reached a tentative relatively modest goals are absurdly diffi- tenure from five years to seven, and to have gotiate with us, not impose unilaterally, and agreementO on a framework for a settlement. cult to achieve. We also took a strong stand full-time faculty hold one additional office that an increase in the untenured period has Since then, the City and State have been re- against a contract based on concessions. hour per week – in exchange for salary in- to be accompanied by a significant increase viewing the settlement prior to giving it The PSC refused to sell out “the unborn,” as creases above 12%, a doubling of reassigned in support for research. We would also like their approval. On January 13, 2006 – two future employees are sometimes called, or time for junior faculty, substantially im- to discuss with you the issue of an addition- months after the union and management to sell out those who might be called “the re- proved sabbatical pay and other gains. al office hour: the negotiating team believed came to an agreement – CUNY Vice Chan- born” – retirees, who depend on the Welfare that in the context of a good economic settle- cellor Brenda Malone wrote in a letter to me: Fund for prescription drugs. We demanded CONCESSIONS REMOVED ment we could support a provision for four “the City and State expressed concerns a principled contract that recognizes the In addition, we got management’s demand office hours a week. I want to emphasize, about some items and requested additional work we do, improves rather than cuts our to remove department chairs from the union however, that none of these elements is fi- information about others.” nal. I share them with you We do not yet have a formal because I feel you are enti- report on those “concerns,” tled to know what is under but as members, you have discussion in this contract waited long enough, and I and why it has taken so want to report to you on the long. status of negotiations. Of course everything The union bargained in changes if the City and good faith. We expected State fail to approve the CUNY to do the same. In conceptual framework. We what follows, I outline how have had several indica- the “conceptual framework” tions that the framework was reached, the major ele- will not be approved. The ments it includes, and how union negotiating team re- the union plans to respond if mains prepared to listen to we find that CUNY has the presentation by CUNY, failed to gain City and State the City and the State, but approval for the framework we cannot accept major we reached. changes on such issues as office hours and time to MEMBER PRESSURE tenure if the settlement as CUNY management be- whole does not represent a gan to negotiate seriously significant advance. with the PSC only after we exerted constant member- ADVANCE ship pressure, including a At the January 26 Dele- new level of mobilization as gate Assembly, PSC leaders we prepared for a possible unanimously passed a reso- http://i-rui.com referendum on a strike. lution calling on members to Remember, it took CUNY two years to make health benefits, and advances our individual off the table, and we resisted a number of demand that CUNY, the City and the State any economic offer at all, and that offer was and collective professional lives. other concessions, such as cuts in come to the bargaining table immediately for 1.5% over four years. The intense mem- In addition, we pressed for direct assis- holidays for HEOs and CLTs and the weak- and settle a fair contract with the PSC. A bar- bership pressure leading up to the Septem- tance from the State of New York to pre- ening of HEO job security. We moved man- gaining session is currently being scheduled, ber 29, 2005 mass meeting, coupled with a se- serve supplemental health benefits through agement off their demand to end annual and the union is pressing for it to be within ries of contract settlements for other public- the Welfare Fund. The State provides more leave on August 22, and instead agreed on a the next week. We need immediate move- employee unions in New York City, pushed than 80% of the government funding for formula for starting the fall semester up to ment toward a settlement. If CUNY does not CUNY to increase its economic offer in early CUNY, and has intervened in the past with three weekdays before August 30. Mean- deliver on City and State approval for the November. By November 3, the deadline the other union welfare funds to ensure that while, we also won agreement on an array of conceptual framework, the union is fully pre- union had set, the PSC Executive Council benefits are preserved. The PSC leadership improvements in equity, including a reduc- pared to take all necessary action to achieve determined that we had an acceptable has also sought to have the City cover tion to 24 hours of the teaching load at New a settlement consistent with our goals. framework for a settlement. health insurance for part-time instructional York City Tech, the introduction of paid sick Thank you for the patience and support Negotiations accelerated in the next two staff who meet eligibility requirements, just days for non-teaching adjuncts and adjunct you have shown during this long fight for a weeks, and we hammered out details of as the City covers health insurance for other CLTs, the restoration of faculty counselor fair contract. PSC members have fought costs and language. It took us two weeks of part-time employees. annual leave, a professional development hard for three years – too hard to give up intense and often heated bargaining ses- fund for adjuncts, reassigned time for re- under pressure from City and State govern- sions, but by November 14 the PSC and man- CHANGE IN CLIMATE search for junior faculty in Library and ments that have demanded ever-increasing agement arrived at a framework whose cost During the summer of 2005, the context for Counseling, an increase in the starting pay concessions from public employees. You was worked out down to hundredths of a public employee bargaining in New York be- for CLIP faculty, and the creation of 100 new have held out because you believe that fac- decimal point. Each provision, both econom- gan to shift. The police union received an ar- full-time lines for which only experienced ulty and staff at New York City’s public uni- ic and non-economic, had been discussed in bitration award that offset higher salaries CUNY adjuncts would be eligible to apply. versity are entitled to decent pay and work- detail; points as fine as contractual language for current workers with deep salary cuts for These are the elements of the framework ing conditions. That is what the negotiating had been settled. new employees, and the UFT settled a con- we negotiated in good faith. I understand team is committed to achieving. With your The PSC bargained hard and in good tract with the City that included higher that there are major changes here, and is- support, I believe we can. faith. We didn’t think the agreement was salaries as well as “productivity increases” sues about which people will take different perfect, but we believed it held true to the and “reforms” sought by the City. In this positions. The union leadership would like This report was written immediately after the principles we had articulated and members PSC Delegate Assembly meeting of January 25, had fought for. While the PSC bargaining where the main agenda item was a discussion of team is aware of the legal requirement for contract talks. It was first distributed by e-mail; City and State approval of our contract, we The union bargained in good faith and if you would like to receive future e-mail con- expected CUNY to come to the table each tract updates, please enter your address at time with the authority to close the deal. we expected CUNY to do the same. www.psc-cuny.org/updates.htm. 12 UNION VOICES Clarion | February 2006

SOLIDARITY FOREVER PSC members take a stand with the TWU on the picket line On December 15, the PSC Delegate ed by much applause. I didn’t think Assembly urged members to join I was doing anything special, I just transit workers on the picket line in had a homemade sign that said, the event of a bus and subway strike “PSC/CUNY supports TWU 100.” In – and about 100 PSC members did fact, I was a little embarrassed that so. Here are a few of their stories. it didn’t look better – but they told me, “Your sign is perfect!” Details of the job I was touched not only by their commitment but also by their ex- Ashley Dawson traordinary graciousness. They College of Staten Island came up individually to thank me for my support, they all wanted to 0 0 1

went there with my daughter, l talk with me, and they repeatedly a c o

who’s nine and a half, and it L offered me food and hot coffee. I

U

was interesting to see how W think they were particularly im- T / n the workers on the picket line i pressed that CUNY professors p i r

I s related to her. a would come out to support them – T

l e This one guy was really big, i it meant a lot. I was like a star on n a built like a linebacker. With this D the picket line! big, deep voice he spoke to my TWU and PSC members picketed together at Triboro Coach in Queens. I spoke at length with Matthew, daughter in a very gentle tone. He a technician who, in all types of was a mechanic, working with bus the bus you ride on to keep running. getting really bad contracts, giving said that when he was growing up, weather, goes down on the elevat- batteries, and explained to her in The bus you ride on every day, and back and giving back. They said, a teacher was considered a big ed tracks to address electrical detail the work he does. you don’t even think about it. “We can’t just let this keep hap- icon because of what an important problems. He and and his wife, a Obviously he was someone who The strikers seemed very aware pening.” They were inspiring. job it is. Hostos graduate and a nurse at has kids, or is frequently around of the broader context for what Most people who walked by When he came to the US, he was North Central Bronx Hospital, kids, and he turned it almost into they were doing. Another guy was were supportive. Two yelled shocked to see how teachers are struggle to pay tuition of more a chemistry lesson. He asked if telling me that in the past, City la- something nasty, but everyone disrespected. And he said today, he than $20,000 a year for their two she knew what an acid is, what bor unions bargained their con- else was positive. There were felt he was fighting for teachers, children. I also spoke with Harring- carbon is, and all the different con- tracts all together and were teachers who said, “We’re glad for everybody, not just transit ton, a subway conductor, and a for- stituents that are needed to make stronger. Today, he said, we’re dy- you’re out here, we support you workers. mer Lehman student, who was one a battery work. ing a death of 1,000 cuts. The City all the way.” A lot of people gave In addition to the small local pick- of those who sued the MTA for the Besides the danger of being tries to bargain down one union at us the thumbs-up. et lines, I think there should have right to wear his turban on the job. splashed by hydrochloric acid, he a time, and separately we can’t I talked for a while with one been a huge mass rally at Penn Sta- I talked for long time with Phyl- talked about the effect on his lungs, use our collective power. Maybe striker who lives in Jersey. He tion, on first day of strike or soon lis, a subway cleaner and a single working in an environment like we can learn something from that told me how he was glad to have a after. People didn’t realize that there mother of six. She was a very se- that. He explained how the MTA history. decent job, a union job, how it had was a lot of support for the strike, rious, hardworking person, very didn’t want to pay for his health in- helped him to have a better life. because there was no one huge line devoted to her family. She was surance, and asked if she thought Public support He was really proud of his kid, or protest to make it visible. not a militant rabblerouser. After that was fair. It made a very strong who’s applying to college. He was you talk to someone like that, it’s impression on her. Carolina Bank Muñoz very clear about the two-tier Extraordinary disturbing to hear the mayor I was very impressed that he Brooklyn College issue, and said he doesn’t want to characterize them as selfish. Hav- didn’t treat my daughter like a see the opportunity he’s had erod- graciousness ing a job with decent benefits had baby, that he spoke to her directly went to a picket line at the ed for future generations. made a big difference for her chil- about his experience – it was a sort train station right off of the Later I went to another line, at Mary O’Riordan dren, and that is why she was out of magical exchange between the Brooklyn Bridge, by City Hall. the Mike Quill Bus Depot on 11th City Tech on strike. two of them. I It was really, really cold! But Avenue. As the cars went by, there I don’t know what’s going to hap- My daughter, being a typical also very high-energy. were a lot of people honking in sup- spent several hours on the pen next, but I think it’s important nine-year-old, had been feeling un- The transit workers on the line port. Truck drivers especially, but picket line at the Woodlawn that we continue to give transit comfortable when we arrived. She were having conversation with a even a police car honked! terminus of the #4 line in the workers our support. Not just to was feeling on the margins of lot of folks who were walking by. I I talked with one guy there, he I Bronx. It was very emotional, support another union, but also out things, and not that interested, so thought they all had a really good was West Indian. He talked for a because they were so glad to see of self-interest – their success will it was wonderful that he spoke message. They said, look, this is while about how in his country, me there. They stopped picketing impact on our own ability to sign a directly to her. not just for us. Unions have been teachers are really respected. He and introduced me, and I was greet- contract and restore our health And it was interesting to hear in benefits. I certainly support them such physical detail what’s in- in their effort to draw the line, to volved in the work that’s needed for “A lot of people gave us the thumbs up!” make a stand for labor.

Professional Staff Congress/CUNY NonProfit Org. 25 West 43rd Street U.S. Postage 15–MINUTE ACTIVIST New York, New York 10036 PAID New York, N.Y. Permit No. 8049 Real bargaining now Check the PSC website, www.psc- “Settle the contract now: Imple- cuny.org, for contract updates and ment the November 14 conceptual contract actions. On January 25, framework agreement.” As the PSC the Delegate Assembly voted to meets with City and State represen- continue the pressure on Chancellor tatives in February, there may be Matthew Goldstein, so check the more news and possibly more ac- Act Now portion for a letter telling tions to take. Find out at www. THIRD CLASS MAIL him, the governor and the mayor, psc-cuny.org.