As ECCFA enters mediation on Thursday, I want to provide an update. I will try very hard to schedule an all ECCFA meeting next week for further updates. This week was impossible as the only time available was after 2:30 on Friday. We may have to use that time slot in the future, however, I realize it is not the most desirable for many of you.
Your negotiation committee had meetings scheduled with the Board team for last Thursday and Saturday, meetings that I had high hopes for. As I indicated last week, we were very disappointed at the Board’s proposals on Thursday in that a number of items we have indicated as very important to us were not even considered by the Board and their proposals were very minimal for this stage of negotiations.
I requested mediation begin Saturday. The Board team declined.
The ECCFA committee did meet Saturday and ultimately met with the Board team, not to negotiate but to present to the two board members each side's proposals. My only observation here is, why did the Board team have to tell the Board members what their own proposals were? I feel we did not make good use of the time, and we made no measurable progress.
Our issues continue to center on the pace of negotiations, salary, proposed changes to insurance and the way faculty pay for health insurance, major changes to the current language for tenure and evaluation, Board resistance to clarification of academic freedom language, retaining a special retirement option and release time for ECCFA officers.
I again thank the negotiating committee and Jennifer Marsh (IFT) for their patience, professionalism and willingness to sacrifice huge parts of their days and nights to try to bring this process to an end. Make sure to give them an extra hearty thank you as we all enter negotiation “crunch time.”
Also, thanks to the committees as your jobs begin to ramp up. If you are not on one, contact Cindy Hutman, who has volunteered to coordinate the committees. She will help place you where help is needed.
Stay unified!
Rick Green
ECCFA V.P.
Negotiation Committee Chair
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
News Articles
We had very good coverage in today's local papers, including the Daily Herald, Courier News and Kane County Chronicle. If you would like to see the articles, click on the links above. But visit soon or the stories may be pulled as other news develops.
Thank you for referring all press queries to me. This has helped us maintain a consistent message with the public, which is that this fight is about more than salary and benefits. It's also about maintaining classroom integrity for the students by protecting academic freedom.
Keep checking this blog each day. We'll keep you posted on mediation as news comes in.
In unity,
Gary Christenson
Thank you for referring all press queries to me. This has helped us maintain a consistent message with the public, which is that this fight is about more than salary and benefits. It's also about maintaining classroom integrity for the students by protecting academic freedom.
Keep checking this blog each day. We'll keep you posted on mediation as news comes in.
In unity,
Gary Christenson
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Press Coverage
Thank you for responding to the call for picketers as we pass out information this week to our students. The Kane County Chronicle announced our efforts in this morning's edition, and the Daily Herald should have a follow-up story tomorrow. Photographers will likely be on campus to get shots of some of you.
As we go through the various steps that might lead to a strike, we'll be alerting other media, as well. The Chicago media will be interested if and when a 10-day intent to strike notice is filed with the state.
Remember to talk to students only before or after class regarding these matters. However, do talk to them. They are likely to have plenty of questions after receiving our picket flyer.
In unity,
Gary Christenson
As we go through the various steps that might lead to a strike, we'll be alerting other media, as well. The Chicago media will be interested if and when a 10-day intent to strike notice is filed with the state.
Remember to talk to students only before or after class regarding these matters. However, do talk to them. They are likely to have plenty of questions after receiving our picket flyer.
In unity,
Gary Christenson
Monday, February 26, 2007
Welcome to the ECCFA blog
Until we have a contract settled, please check this blog regularly. The Communications Committee will post updates regarding mediation and strike information, should it come to that.
For now, the best way you can help avert a strike is to be a presence during picketing and to remain in touch with your committees.
As our last job action proved, overwhelming unity is the key to success. And with ECCFA now numbering approximately 400 strong, we will be able to bring the college to a standstill.
Today local area newspapers were contacted about informational picketing that is scheduled for Tuesday. Remember, if you're questioned by members of the media, please direct them to me. They have my phone numbers. Should you have questions, my personal email address is gary@garychristenson.com.
In unity,
Gary Christenson
For now, the best way you can help avert a strike is to be a presence during picketing and to remain in touch with your committees.
As our last job action proved, overwhelming unity is the key to success. And with ECCFA now numbering approximately 400 strong, we will be able to bring the college to a standstill.
Today local area newspapers were contacted about informational picketing that is scheduled for Tuesday. Remember, if you're questioned by members of the media, please direct them to me. They have my phone numbers. Should you have questions, my personal email address is gary@garychristenson.com.
In unity,
Gary Christenson
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