DELEGATE
ASSEMBLY
Resolutions
go to DA Resolutions for:
Delegate
Assembly Resolutions
December 21,
2006
Resolution on the Proposed CUNY Policy on Acceptable Use of Computer Resources
Passed Unanimously
Whereas, CUNY has proposed a policy on computer use that will apply to the members of the PSC bargaining unit; and
Whereas, the PSC met with CUNY management on two occasions to consult on the proposed policy; and
Whereas, the PSC demanded the right to bargain over certain aspects of the proposed policy; and
Whereas, CUNY refused to bargain with the PSC on those aspects of the proposed policy; and
Whereas, the proposed policy imposes liability on bargaining unit members even if they are not at fault; and
Whereas, the proposed policy is overbroad and invasive with respect to members’ privacy rights; and
Whereas, the proposed policy is insufficient in protecting due process rights of members; and
Whereas, the proposed policy is vague in protecting the PSC’s right to communicate with and have confidential communications with its members; and
Whereas, the proposed policy violates the contractual rights guaranteed in Articles 18, 21 and 30; and
Whereas, the proposed policy will undermine the freedom of expression and inquiry essential for academic freedom and CUNY’s academic mission;
Whereas, the proposed policy does not include language asserting employee rights to use CUNY’s computer resources – especially important in the case of adjuncts;
Therefore Be It Resolved, that the PSC Delegate Assembly calls on the CUNY Board of Trustees to table this resolution until negotiations with the PSC on relevant parts of the proposed policy are completed, and further consultation with the PSC and other stakeholder groups in the CUNY community result in an acceptable computer use policy.
Delegate
Assembly Resolutions
November 30,
2006
Resolution Opposing the Adoption of the Proposed CUNY “Procedures for Handling Student Complaints about Faculty Conduct in Academic Settings”
Passed Unanimously
Whereas, CUNY already has many policies and procedures allowing students to make formal complaints or appeals concerning specific issues; and
Whereas, these already adopted policies and procedures specify the issue(s) about which students may make formal complaints or appeals (e.g. grade appeals, discrimination, disclosure of student records, academic integrity, sexual harassment, violent behavior); and
Whereas, the proposed student complaint procedures do not refer to any specific faculty conduct, but speak only of “complaints about treatment of students;” and
Whereas, there is no antecedent policy to which these proposed student complaint procedures are attached, including no definitions of what conduct might fall within and outside the scope of this set of procedures; and
Whereas, these proposed student complaint procedures set no standards for judging which faculty conduct is to be addressed through these procedures; and
Whereas, the proposed student complaint procedures apply to “academic settings,” a term that is not defined and subject to interpretation;and
Whereas, the proposed student complaint procedures will require a multi-level investigative and appeal process; and
Whereas, the
proposed student complaint procedures will require department chairs (as
the “Fact Finder”) to conduct an investigation if a dispute persists,
which shall include “interview[ing] the complaining student, the faculty
member and other persons with relevant knowledge and information and
shall also consult with the chief student affairs officer…” and issuing
“a written report setting forth his or her findings and
recommendations…;” and
Whereas, the proposed student
complaint procedures set forth no standards or guidelines upon which to
base “findings” and “recommendations;” and
Whereas, the proposed student complaint procedures set forth an “appeals procedure” and contemplates “subsequent action,” again without appropriate standards or specific guidelines as to what constitutes inappropriate conduct; and
Whereas, all of these investigations, appeals processes and the possible issuance of several written reports are all to occur without any guarantee of confidentiality; and
Whereas, CUNY has not demonstrated a need for implementing such a set of student complaint procedures; and
Whereas, CUNY students already have access to policies and procedures to bring complaints against inappropriate faculty conduct; and
Whereas, the PSC is always willing to work with students to address legitimate issues concerning inappropriate faculty conduct; and
Whereas, these student complaint procedures themselves will become an invitation to politicize the classroom and intimidate faculty and students; and
Whereas, these student complaint procedures will themselves become a catalyst for conflict and threaten academic freedom in the classroom by fraying trust between students and teachers and creating a climate of intimidation; and
Whereas, it is in the best interests of the students, faculty and the academic enterprise to uphold and protect academic freedom in the classroom; now therefore
Be it resolved, the PSC Delegate Assembly calls on the CUNY Board of Trustees and the Chancellory to withdraw from consideration the proposed “Procedures for Handling Student Complaints about Faculty Conduct in Academic Settings.”
Delegate
Assembly Resolutions
October 26,
2006
Resolution on Fiterman Hall
WHEREAS, Fiterman Hall is heavily contaminated with dioxin, lead, asbestos and WTC toxic substances, and is be taken down, and
WHEREAS, Fiterman Hall is located in a densely populated neighborhood with schools, workplaces and residences, and
WHEREAS, CUNY and DASNY’s plans for decontamination and deconstruction of Fiterman are matters of serious public concern, and
WHEREAS CUNY has not been forthcoming with information about the decontamination and deconstruction process to date, and the public has a right to this information, and
WHEREAS, Community Board #1 of lower Manhattan has passed a resolution calling on CUNY and Dormitory Authority of the State of NY (DASNY) for “a full and transparent public process that includes posting all current and historical sampling results and demolition plans...”
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
The PSC demand that CUNY be held accountable for:
Delegate
Assembly Resolutions
December 15, 2005
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF TWU LOCAL 100
WHEREAS, the members of TWU Local 100 move the people whose labor makes New
York a viable and productive city, and
WHEREAS, the TWU is engaged in difficult contract negotiations with the
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and has been offered woefully
inadequate terms and conditions of employment; and
WHEREAS, the issues in these negotiations-wages, working conditions,
benefits, the tiering of the workforce, and the rights of retirees-are
fundamentally the same as the issues confronting the PSC in its contract
negotiations with CUNY; and
WHEREAS, the outcome of the TWU/MTA negotiations will have an impact on
labor negotiations in the city as whole, including the PSC’s current
negotiations with CUNY, The City and the State; and
WHEREAS, The MTA and the City have threatened the TWU and its individual
members with draconian penalties using court injunctions and the NYS Taylor Law
if the union upholds the principle of “no contract, no work”; therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the PSC express its solidarity with TWU Local 100; and be it
further
RESOLVED, that the PSC urge its members to participate in any and all
support actions including, but not limited to, attendance at union rallies,
participation in TWU worksite picket lines, distribution of support literature,
and monetary contributions to TWU strike funds should such contributions prove
necessary; and be it further
RESOLVED, that this resolution be circulated to the TWU for its information,
and to the NYC Central Labor Council, NYSUT, and the AFT for similar action.
Passed by
the Delegate Assembly of the Professional Staff Congress, Dec. 15, 2005
Resolution in Support of NYU Strikers
Whereas,
graduate teaching assistants at NYU voted
overwhelmingly to be represented by UAW Local 2110, were recognized by the
University, and successfully
negotiated a first contract in 2002;
and
Whereas, Following the NLRB’s ruling in the Brown University case that
graduate assistants are essentially students and not employees, NYU President
John Sexton unilaterally and arbitrarily withdrew recognition and refused to
bargain a second contract upon expiration of the first contract in August 2005;
and
Whereas, NYU graduate assistants have been on strike for five weeks seeking
a renewal of recognition and the right to collective bargaining; and
Whereas, in retaliation and in contravention of established labor law,
President Sexton has threatened to withdraw stipends of all those remaining on
strike; and
Whereas, this strike represents the cutting edge of labor solidarity in the
face of academic corporatization; and
Whereas, a large number of NYU faculty and faculty from a wide variety of
other academic institutions and associations have expressed support of graduate
employees’ right to union representation; and
Whereas, the PSC has a long-standing history of commitment to the principles
of the right to organize, the right to collective bargaining and the right of
graduate employees to union representation; and
Whereas, the PSC has committed itself to this struggle and continues to
actively and publicly support graduate student workers at NYU and elsewhere;
therefore be it
Resolved, that the PSC urge its members, both full and part-time classroom
instructors and non-teaching personnel, to pledge to refuse any new or
additional employment at NYU for the duration of the strike; and be it further
Resolved, that the PSC circulate this resolution for individuals to sign;
and be it further
Resolved, that signed pledges be forwarded to the appropriate departments at
NYU; and be it further
Resolved, that this resolution be forwarded to NYSUT and the AFT to be
circulated to other higher education locals for similar action.
Passed by the
Delegate Assembly of the Professional Staff Congress, Dec. 15, 2005
Delegate
Assembly Resolutions
May
26, 2005
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A REFERENDUM ON JOB ACTION
Whereas, the Professional Staff Congress contract expired more than two-and-a-half years ago, and CUNY faculty and professional staff have not had a raise for four years; and
Whereas, the membership and the leadership of the Professional Staff Congress have tried in countless ways to reach a fair settlement: collective bargaining, direct advocacy with the City and State, organized protest and demonstration, informational picketing, leafleting, television advertisements, political advocacy with elected officials, support by national and state affiliates, informational campaigns in the workplace, and campaigns to generate calls, e-mail and fax communication with the employer; and
Whereas, after more than two years of bargaining and member action, the City University of New York has failed to offer an acceptable contract: one that provides real raises, a lasting solution to the Welfare Fund crisis, and other essential gains in equity and due process; and
Whereas, the failure of CUNY management to agree to a fair contract ultimately displays contempt for CUNY students: no amount of publicity about CUNY’s recent “renaissance” can make up for uncompetitive salaries, shrinking benefits and substandard working conditions—the education of our students is jeopardized if the University fails to support the academic staff on whose work it depends; and
Whereas, the PSC won its first contract, in 1973, only after taking a referendum on a strike, and the United Federation of Teachers won its 2002 contract after voting to authorize a future referendum on a strike; therefore be it
Resolved, that the Professional Staff Congress will make every effort to reach a fair contract settlement without a job action; and be it further
Resolved, that the Professional Staff Congress will continue to work throughout the summer to achieve a fair settlement – participating in good faith in collective bargaining, exploring options for mediation and arbitration, organizing protests by members, conducting a public relations campaign, working toward coalitions with other unions, strengthening member-to-member organizing; and be it further
Resolved, that if the City University of New York fails to agree to a fair contract with the PSC by September 1, 2005, the Executive Council of the PSC will have the authority to determine whether and when to conduct a referendum, either by campus or union-wide, on the question of whether the PSC Executive Council should authorize a job action; and further be it
Resolved, that the PSC Executive Council will not authorize a job action unless the majority of votes cast in the referendum, conducted by secret ballot by the American Arbitration Association or similar neutral organization, are in favor.
Delegate
Assembly Resolutions
March 31, 2005
The following proposal was passed by the PSC Delegate Assembly on March 31.
The Executive Council proposes that the PSC create a Union Defense Fund, through voluntary contributions, in order to increase the union’s capacity to wage a public, militant campaign for a fair contract.
Throughout the semester, union strength has been growing, as members across the University have become active in the fight for a fair contract. We have seen that our pressure works, but we will need to be prepared to press even harder to break through management’s austerity framework. Being able to draw on a Union Defense Fund will enable us to intensify our campaign and defend the union as we prepare for more militant actions.
A key element of the Union Defense Fund is that it will be built through voluntary contributions: building the Fund will itself be an act of solidarity, an intensification of our one-on-one organizing. This is a proposal for more than a fund; it’s a proposal for a campaign. Its aim is in part to change the conversation in the union, as members are asked, one by one, to recognize the seriousness of our fight and make a commitment of support.
Union defense funds have historically been a fundamental institution of the trade union movement. Voluntary or mandatory, long-term or short-term, collective funds for the defense of the union and its members have been an essential tool of organizing and building union strength. In 1973, as part of the PSC’s hard-fought campaign to win a first contract, the union began a Union Defense Fund in order to be prepared in the event of a strike. Although the union membership voted to authorize the leadership to call a strike, the contract was won without striking, and the union continued to make regular contributions to the Defense Fund out of its operating budget. In the 1990s, the union leadership discontinued contributions, and the accrued amount became part of the PSC’s reserve.
Now we face a state of emergency in negotiations that is arguably as difficult as the situation faced by the PSC in 1973. In order to build the union’s capacity for a new level of action—a level commensurate with the contract crisis we face—the Executive Council calls for the creation of a new Union Defense Fund, this time through voluntary contributions. The proposal is for a Union Defense Fund established according to the following guidelines:
All contributions would be voluntary; members and fee-payers would be asked, through the Clarion and a direct mailing, to elect to deduct a fixed amount from each paycheck and contribute this amount to the Union Defense Fund account in the PSC/CUNY Credit Union.
The Union Defense Fund would be a fund segregated from other PSC funds, such as operating expenses and reserves, and would be governed by rules established by the PSC Executive Council in consultation with legal counsel and our local and national affiliates.
The direct mailing and other forms of outreach for the Defense Fund would offer members suggested levels of contribution; e.g., $2 from each paycheck, $5, $10 or $25. Contributions could also be made directly, by writing a check to the PSC Union Defense Fund. The different levels of suggested contribution would lead up to the highest, one day’s pay (with instructions on how to calculate one day for yourself). The Defense Fund would be used to expand the union’s capacity to wage a public, militant campaign for a fair contract. For instance, if the union needs to intensify its television advertising campaign beyond the financial limits of our existing budget for such campaigns, the Executive Council might vote to approve allocating money from the Defense Fund to increased television advertising. If the union were forced to consider a job action, the Executive Council might vote to allocate money from the Defense Fund to cover job action expenses. All allocations would be voted on by the Executive Council and would be reported to the membership.
In the event the money raised for the Defense Fund this spring is not spent, or the contract is settled without full expenditure of the Fund, member contributions would not be refunded; rather, they would become part of a lasting Defense Fund for the union.
Members would be encouraged to continue contributing to the Union Defense Fund after the settlement of the contract, as a regular part of their union practice. The Union Defense Fund would build the union’s capacity in more than financial ways. One of its major purposes would be to intensify the one-on-one organizing campaign in which we are now engaged.
If the DA approves the Fund, the union’s leadership and organizing staff will set a target date, for instance May 2—the first day back from spring break—and a target number of contributors. Activists will be asked to urge their “My Five” people to participate in the Fund; each chapter will set a target for its number of Fund participants by that date. Contract campaign events in April and May will be oriented toward increasing participation in the Fund.
The Union Defense Fund would be part of the PSC’s long-term plan to become an activist union, to build our political capacity and develop strength for campaigns beyond this contract.
Delegate
Assembly Resolutions
January
27, 2005
Whereas, the collective bargaining agreement between the Professional Staff Congress and the City University of New York expired on October 31, 2002, and CUNY faculty and staff have not had raises since August 1, 2001; and
Whereas, during the same period that PSC members were without a raise and experienced a reduction in the real value of their salaries, CUNY’s top management accepted raises with a total cost to the University of $2.1 million a year; and
Whereas, the Chancellor’s Office has launched an expensive fund-raising campaign whose motto is “Investing in Futures” while failing to invest in the people who create the real future of the University—the faculty and staff; and
Whereas, the financial offer on the table from University management, currently 1.5% over four years with a small one-time bonus of $400 (pro-rated for part-timers) both insults people who routinely work their hearts out for CUNY and forecasts a deeply inadequate final offer; and
Whereas, in order to offer quality education, build a strong University and sustain our own lives in the profession, the PSC needs more than a minimal contract: that is, we need a contract that offers increased Welfare Fund contributions and money for equity advances as well as salary increases above the level of inflation; and
Whereas, PSC members have endured painful reductions in Welfare Fund benefits over the past two years, including a shift of approximately one-third of the cost of prescription drugs and a significant portion of dental care costs from the employer to the employee; yet escalating healthcare costs mean that without a substantial increase in employer contributions the Welfare Fund reserve will be depleted in less than a year; and
Whereas, the PSC has made a fair, reasonable financial proposal: the settlement achieved by the SUNY faculty and staff (approximately 15% in salary and other improvements over four years) plus the added money required to stabilize and enhance our Welfare Fund; and
Whereas, the University management offer of 1.5% (with a $400 lump sum and a further 1% available if we pay for it by increased “productivity”) covers none of these needs; and
Whereas, a refusal to invest in CUNY’s faculty and staff would be ultimately a refusal to invest in CUNY’s students, because our working conditions are their learning conditions; and
Whereas, the failure to resolve the PSC contract has a direct impact on students, who have also been repeatedly battered by tuition increases and the systematic withdrawal of public funding from CUNY; the PSC’s agenda of creating competitive salaries, benefits and working conditions at CUNY is directed toward strengthening the University and enhancing the education, research and service in which it engages; and
Whereas, the PSC has tried every other tactic to press for the settlement we need: we have engaged in serious collective bargaining; we have worked to narrow our areas of difference with management; we have collected thousands of signatures on petitions to the Chancellor and college presidents; we have appealed directly to the Board of Trustees—presenting them with letters at every meeting since May 2004, organizing a member presence at every meeting since May and requesting meetings between each individual Trustee and the PSC president; we have sent hundreds of faxes to the Chancellor about our contract needs; we have met with college presidents, picketed on campus, received the support of students, met with the City and State, met with the CUNY Chancellor and shown the support of the entire membership for the position that a minimal contract is not acceptable; and
Whereas, despite the Chancellor’s public statement in May 2004 that he did not intend to offer the PSC an austerity contract, the management of the University has failed to respond to these powerful and unprecedented expressions of our need—and the University’s need; and
Whereas, a contract at the level suggested by management’s 1.5% offer has already begun to result in an inability to recruit and retain high-quality faculty and staff, with several departments reporting their difficulty in attracting the candidates they seek when candidates learn of the teaching load, salaries and working conditions at CUNY; and
Whereas, CUNY management’s failure to offer an adequate economic framework for the settlement is coupled with demands that represent a direct attack on faculty autonomy, availability of research time, job security and the ability of the union to represent its members and enforce the contract; and
Whereas, the 20,000 faculty and staff represented by the PSC have given their professional lives to CUNY, enduring substandard salaries and working conditions, making do with inadequate research time and resources, existing in a permanent culture of scarcity—out of commitment to a vision of what a public urban university could be, out of dedication to our students and out of understanding of the value of intellectual work; therefore be it
Resolved, that the PSC declare a state of emergency in the contract negotiations and that we call on every member of the faculty and staff to become a part of the mass effort that will be required, given the current political climate, to win the contract we need; that we rededicate the union to old-fashioned, one-on-one organizing so that every member is informed and engaged, so that every member becomes part of the campus and worksite campaigns that will direct our political force toward a good contract; and be it further
Resolved, that the chapters of the PSC prepare the membership for decisions at the Delegate Assemblies this spring on the increasingly militant actions that may be required to win a contract that meets our needs—by engaging in broad-based discussion of the full range of actions in which unions historically have engaged and their relevance to our current campaign: leafleting, letter-writing, protests, demonstrations, lobbying, media campaigns, coalition-building with students and other groups, direct action, special assessment of members for union defense funds, and job actions up to and including strikes.
Adopted unanimously, January 27, 2005
Delegate
Assembly Resolutions
December 16, 2004
Click here for a PDF document with the following resolutions passed by the D.A. for submission to the 2005 New York State Teachers Representative Assembly.
►Reaffirmation of Democratic Access to College
►Reaffirmation of Restoring Access to the City University of New York
►Reaffirmation of the Resolutions on Air Quality in Our Schools
►Reaffirmation of the Resolution on Healthy Schools
►Reaffirmation of the Resolution on Ergonomics
►Reaffirmation of Resolution on State and Federal Legislation of Healthcare Staffing
►Reaffirmation of the Resolution on Protection from Genetic Discrimination
►Reaffirmation of the Resolution on Preserving Public Education
►Reaffirmation of the Resolution on Workers’ Compensation
►Reaffirmation of the Resolution on New York State Funding for Higher Education
►Resolution on Tenure
►Resolution in Support of the Safety and Freedom Ensured Act (SAFE Act)
►Resolution on the Academic Bill of Rights (Student Bill of Rights)
►Resolution on Pharmaceutical Companies
►Resolution on Coca-Cola
►Resolution to Stop War Crimes and Ethnic Cleansing In Darfur
►Resolution to Protect Workers from
Harassment and Abuse, Creating a Hostile Work Environment
►Resolution to Support Health Insurance And Universal Healthcare
►Resolution in Opposition to the College Access and Opportunity Act, H. R. 4283
Resolution for Paid
Family Leave
►Resolution on the Ethics Law
►Resolution in Opposition to Embargoed Materials
►Resolution for NYSUT to Widely Publicize Its Commitment To Establish Equity For
Adjunct Faculty/Staff, Including but not Limited To Its Higher Education Omnibus
Model Legislation
►Resolution on
Academic Freedom at John Jay College/CUNY
►Resolution in Support of General Education Diploma (GED) Programs
►Resolution to Reduce Localities’ Medicaid and Education Expenses
►Resolution to Oppose Punitive Credit Card Interest and Fee Schedules
►Resolution to Refund Child Tax Credit
►Resolution on Tax Fairness and Adequate Resources
►Resolution on Capping Medicare Part B and P
►Resolution on Supplying the Flu Vaccine
►Resolution on the Inclusion of Retiree Concerns in the Negotiation Process
►Resolution on Long-Term Care Insurance
►Resolution on Medicare Aid for Home Care
Delegate
Assembly Resolutions
October 28, 2004
Resolution for Gene
Plunkett, Former Chapter Chairperson
of the Manhattan Educational Opportunity Center (MEOC)
Whereas, Gene Plunkett was a Counselor of the students of the Manhattan EOC, a colleague and friend of the members of the Chapter at the Manhattan EOC; and
Whereas, Gene Plunkett joined the City University of New York staff on July 16, 1968 and worked at Lehman College prior to going to the MEOC; and
Whereas, Gene Plunkett joined the Professional Staff Congress on March 3, 1978, was an active member and Chairperson of the PSC Chapter of the Manhattan EOC; and
Whereas, Gene Plunkett was devoted to the education of the students who enrolled at the Manhattan EOC; and
Whereas, during the course of his tenure at the MEOC, Gene Plunkett worked for the survival of the EOC and fought for equity for EOC employees with CUNY employees; therefore be it
Resolved, that the Delegate Assembly of the Professional Staff Congress/CUNY express condolences to Gene Plunkett’s family and colleagues and recognize his long years of service to the University, the community, and the union.
Delegate
Assembly Resolutions
September 30, 2004
Whereas, the PSC has already adopted Resolutions, and brought them to the NYSUT and AFT conventions, in solidarity with the struggle against death squad assassinations of teachers and other unionists in Colombia; and the Colombia national teacher strike is an occasion for us to move beyond Resolutions and offer practical strike support;
And whereas, as we know, Colombia is the most dangerous place in the world to be a unionist: three-quarters of all murders of trade unionists occur in Colombia, and already this year alone 23 teachers, 60% of them women, have been killed by right-wing paramilitaries;
And whereas, according to Amnesty International, “Colombia is the third largest recipient of US military aid in the world. Despite compelling evidence that the Colombian military are violating human rights, either directly or in collusion with paramilitary groups, the US government has agreed to allow its military assistance to be used for counter-insurgency activities, with one clear and tragic result - a greater targeting of the civilian population” ( The Wire, 4/23/04);
And whereas, FECODE, the Federación Colombiana de Educadores (Colombian Teachers Union), is launching on October 12 an indefinite national strike against the death squads and the Uribe government, which allows these killings to go on with impunity; and CUT, the federation of all Colombian unions, is also calling a one-day general strike against the government on October 12; and FECODE has asked US teachers and students to support the strike and oppose the US military aid that is killing them;
And whereas, the strike is endorsed by the AFT (American Federation of Teachers), the NEA (National Education Association), and EI (Education International), and Latin American and European unions are joining in support;
And whereas, other demands of the strike are for health care, pensions, and retirement benefits, all threatened with deep cuts by government legislation, and for an end to the freeze on salaries and promotions;
And whereas, by supporting their strike locally, we join forces against a common enemy, those who would destroy public education, through more privatization, punitive union contracts, tuition hikes, budget cuts, over-use of standardized tests, and the infiltration of corporations and the military into education;
Resolved: That the PSC endorse the Colombian national teachers’ strike October 12, and will, through the International and Solidarity Committees, conduct strike support in the form of a rally at the Colombian Consulate on October 12; a letter-writing campaign, through the PSC website, to the Uribe government and the US Congress; and do targeted leafleting and petitioning on CUNY campuses.
Resolution For Dialog on Adjunct Workload Restrictions
Whereas, many adjunct faculty and staff depend, for their main source of income, on the compensation they receive for work at CUNY, and
Whereas, the PSC-CUNY contract allows adjunct faculty to teach no more than 9 contact hours at one CUNY unit, and one course of up to 6 hours at another CUNY unit in any semester, a rule which dates back to the previous PSC administration, and
Whereas, the 9/6 rule appears to allow 15 hours per term, but in practice very few adjuncts have schedules of over 12 contact hours per semester, and
Whereas, adjuncts who work maximum available schedules, with wages of $20,000 to $26,000 per academic year, experience the 9/6 provision as an immediate barrier to their ability to earn a living wage from CUNY work, and
Whereas, full-time Community College faculty are allowed overload, or multiple appointments to 15 hours per term, which raise their full-time workload and income, and
Whereas, the 9/6 provision imposes work rules that can act against the best interests of adjuncts and their students, by limiting the freedom of adjuncts to opt for the work opportunities which best fit their capabilities, interests, and needs, and best enable them to be effective educators, and
Whereas, the achievement of parity for adjuncts in income and professional working conditions is the contractual goal of the PSC, and
Whereas, injury to one group is injury to all in a fully committed union of workers, and
Whereas, improvement of the 9/6 rule has long been deferred, a more sensitive and sensible adjunct workload policy could make a favorable difference in how adjuncts view the union, and
Whereas, the recent NYU contract compensates adjuncts at about $90 per hour, which is over 60% above the starting CUNY adjunct rate, and is without workload restrictions, and
Whereas, the PSC ethos encourages constructive dialog and debate in seeking democratic, participatory and active unionism, but CLARION has yet to have full discussion on this important issue, and
Whereas, the May 2004 Delegate Assembly meeting ended with assurance of further discussion at this meeting on the 9/6 matter, now therefore
Resolved, that the PSC undertake a discussion on solidarity across the ranks during Campus Equity Week and the formation of a working group to start discussing adjunct workload (9/6 policy), but in privacy.
Resolution on Closing G.E.D. Sites
Whereas, the September 30, 2004 New York Times reports that the NYC Department of Education has, without adequate notice, closed dozens of G.E.D. preparation sites, “bewildering staff members and creating a chaotic situation for young people already at risk for abandoning their studies;” and Whereas, PSC/CUNY recognizes that teachers in the NYC public high schools play a vital role in educating the young people of New York City; nevertheless, for some, G.E.D. programs become an alternative route to the high school diploma; and
Whereas, the PSC/CUNY strongly supports G.E.D. programs as essential avenues to higher education and adequate employment for many students; therefore be it
Resolved, that the PSC/CUNY express its forceful opposition to this fall’s closing of the G.E.D. preparation sites and urge the CUNY Chancellor and the Board of Trustees to join the PSC/CUNY in advocating their reestablishment.
Delegate
Assembly Resolutions
June 17,
2004
Resolution Endorsing Demonstrations at the Republican National Convention
Whereas, the policies and agenda of the Bush Administration and the far-right Republican Party have been disastrous for the working people of the United States and the population of the world; and
Whereas, those policies will be reaffirmed and Bush nominated to run for a second term of office at the Republican National Convention to be held in New York City at the end of August, 2004; and
Whereas, United for Peace and Justice, a nationwide anti-war coalition with more than 800 member groups, has called for a demonstration on August 29th to oppose the Republican agenda, under the slogan “The World Says No to the Bush Agenda”; and,
Whereas, the New York City Central Labor Council is planning a rally on September 1st near the Republican National Convention to protest the Republican and Bush agendas; and,
Whereas, the Central Labor Council has gotten a permit from the city to hold their September 1st rally on Eighth Avenue and 30th Street, one block from the site of the Republican Convention, while the city is still balking at giving United for Peace and Justice a permit to protest peacefully within sight of the Convention site; therefore, be it
Resolved, that the Professional Staff Congress endorse both the August 29th and September 1st demonstrations against the Bush agenda and urge its members to mobilize for and participate in the protests against the Republican agenda and the Bush re-election campaign; and be it further
Resolved, that the Professional Staff Congress urge the New York City administration to act quickly to grant United for Peace and Justice a venue for their August 29th protest within sight of the Madison Square Garden Republican convention site.
Resolution to Endorse John Kerry
Whereas, the AFT reserves the right to make endorsements in U.S. presidential elections and its Executive Council passed a Resolution to be presented to the 2004 convention that uncritically endorses John Kerry for president, and has devoted substantial material and political resources to the election of Kerry; and
Whereas, John Kerry's presidential election campaign has taken positions at odds with the stated positions of the PSC on such issues as Iraq, labor policy, NAFTA, and educational policy; therefore be it
Resolved, that the PSC critically accept the AFT's endorsement of John Kerry for president of the U.S.; and be it further
Resolved, that the PSC urge the AFT to apply and maintain pressure on John Kerry to come out strongly against the continued U.S. war in and occupation of Iraq, and, if elected, to reverse the Bush Administration policy in Iraq as well as the general strategy of empire-building backed up by 'pre-emptive war; reject educational policies that involve 'merit pay'; reverse his positions on 'free trade', particularly NAFTA; express broader support for well-funded quality public education; and be it further
Resolved, that the PSC reaffirm its commitment to building labor participation in an independent anti-war movement and to maintain pressure on any presidential candidate or president to shift his position on this and other key issues.
Resolution on the Presidential Campaign
Whereas, George W. Bush's presidency has been devastating to the interests of labor, education, the environment, and, generally, to the well-being of our nation, other nations, and the peoples of the world, and his 're-election' would mean a continuation of the same brutal, anti-labor regime;
Resolved, that the PSC create a mechanism to enable members who want to participate in the Kerry campaign to do so.
Whereas, the President of LaGuardia Community College has informed the LaGuardia PSC that she requires ACT pass rate scores to be included in faculty personnel files for evaluation of “teaching effectiveness;” and
Whereas, the President has insisted that it is her right to require “multiple quantitative measures of teaching effectiveness;” and
Whereas, using the ACT test as an exit exam is not considered a valid measure of student performance or improvement; and
Whereas, ACT test student pass rates vary widely and do not reflect teaching effectiveness of faculty; and
Whereas, including such scores in evaluating “teaching effectiveness” encourages the practice of ‘teaching to the test’ rather than the well-rounded and carefully designed curriculum of a department and its faculty members; and
Whereas, students are ill served by courses that are oriented toward tests instead of providing them with a wide range of college level skills; and
Whereas, curriculum design and development is the professional responsibility of faculty, not outside test agencies or CUNY administration; and
Whereas, faculty evaluation of teaching effectiveness is a matter faculty have traditionally taken seriously through peer observations, professional development seminars, student evaluations and annual evaluations; and
Whereas, the PSC contract specifies that faculty be evaluated on the basis of material in their personnel file where the contents and evaluation instruments have been negotiated through past practice and College governance; therefore be it
Resolved, that the PSC Delegate Assembly support the LaGuardia chapter in this Resolution and forward a copy of it to Chancellor Goldstein; and be it further
Resolved, that student test scores, student grades, student averages, and retention rates, in whatever form or format, not be included in Faculty Personnel files at any CUNY campus; and be it further
Resolved, that Union representatives and governance representatives be consulted and negotiations take place to insure that the contents of files include only documents approved through College governance and union negotiation; and be it further
Resolved, that any such scores or student results be removed from any and all faculty files on any campus where they have been included.
Whereas, according to the Fall 2002 CUNY Affirmative Action Report, the professional staff are 51.9% White [including Italians], 26.8% Black, 13.9% Hispanic, and 7.1% Asian; and
Whereas, according to the Fall 2002 CUNY Affirmative Action Report, the faculty are 73.4% White, 12.2% Black, 6.8% Hispanic, and 7.3% Asian; and
Whereas, CUNY reported the Fall 2002 CUNY student population as 33.2% White, 29.5% Black, 23.5% Hispanic, and 13.6% Asian; and
Whereas, the 2000 Census Report listed the New York City population as 27% Hispanic, 24% Black, 10% Asian and 35 % White; and
Whereas, in proportion to their numbers in the general population, Blacks, Hispanics and Asians are highly underrepresented in the ranks of the instructional staff at CUNY, and Whites are over-represented; and
Whereas, the University’s goals to provide employment discrimination complaint procedures as stated in the 1999 manual, Employment Discrimination Complaint Procedures, to hear discrimination complaints and to report annually its compliance with affirmative action requirements [Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity (AA/EEOC) Officers] have not resulted in a CUNY workforce that reflects the diverse population of the City; and
Whereas, many campuses and departments have an unsatisfactory record of hiring, retaining, and promoting faculty and staff of color; and
Whereas, CUNY’s performance is in contradistinction to SED Law 6201 section 3 that states “. . . the university will continue to maintain and expand its commitment to academic excellence and to the provision of equal access and opportunity for students, faculty and staff from all ethnic and racial groups and from both sexes.” Section 5 of the same law that states, “Only the strongest commitment to the special needs of an urban constituency justifies the legislature’s support of an independent and unique structure for the university. Activities at the city university campuses must be undertaken in a spirit which recognizes and responds to the imperative need for affirmative action and the positive desire to have city university personnel reflect the diverse communities which comprise the people of the city and state of New York;” therefore be it
Resolved, that each PSC chapter executive committee appoint a Racial Diversity Advocate. The responsibility of the Advocate will be to work with the chapter to organize around issues of racism, to advocate for and monitor the hiring, promoting, retaining and reclassifying of the instructional staff of color, and to report information to the central union so that it may act to move the University toward a more diverse faculty and staff; and be it further
Resolved, that the union develop guidelines to assist the chapter executive committee and the chapter Racial Diversity Advocate to carry out these objectives; and be it further
Resolved, that the PSC Constitution will be reviewed so that establishment of this chapter position complies with it.
Delegate
Assembly Resolutions
February 26, 2004
Resolution In Response to Chancellor's Proposal to Extend Tenure Clock
Whereas, tenure was established to protect academic freedom and derives from the recognition that such freedom is essential to the mission of universities; and
Whereas, the 1940 legislation establishing tenure at CUNY (Section 6212.3 of the New York State Education Law) is one of the landmarks in the history of tenure in this country, having been won through mass action and political advocacy by students and faculty, including the Legislative Conference, one of the precursors to the PSC; and
Whereas, the Chancellor’s Office has announced its intention to introduce legislation to lengthen the untenured period from five to seven years; and
Whereas, the Chancellor’s Office has gone directly to the State Legislature without consultation with those who would be affected—faculty and staff of the colleges—and without negotiation with the PSC about the impact of such a change on the terms and conditions of employment; and
Whereas, the introduction of the tenure question at this moment of a conservative political climate gives opponents of faculty rights and academic freedom an opportunity to make an assault on the open public university; and
Whereas, there is no indication that CUNY’s rate of successful tenure is lower than the national norm, approximately 85 - 90%, a rate that testifies to the way peer support and guidance, typical at CUNY, has enabled the majority of tenure candidates to meet the requirements of teaching, scholarship, and service; and
Whereas, the legislation proposed by the Chancellor’s Office is an opening for the opponents in the legislature to attack job security for faculty, as has occurred across the country, where only 35% of all college faculty currently serve in tenure or tenure-track positions; and
Whereas, CUNY’s five-year tenure clock is appropriate for an institution that uniquely encompasses two-year and four-year colleges; and
Whereas, the proposal to extend the untenured period emanates, in part, from the state’s unwillingness to fund CUNY and the concession and resignation of the CUNY administration to this circumstance; and
Whereas, loss of state support has resulted in too little funding to support faculty research, scholarship and creative work; and too little funding for provisions such as start-up packages for scientific laboratories, adequate parental leave and childcare; and
Whereas, there is no evidence to indicate that lengthening the tenure clock benefits women, as has been claimed by management, although there is evidence that providing research support, reasonable courseloads, childcare and adequate parental leave does benefit women; and
Whereas, stretching the tenure clock lengthens the time when faculty may not feel fully protected by academic freedom and the opportunity to participate in the full life of the campus; and
Whereas, an increase in the probationary period decreases job security, delays promotions and raises in salary, increases the period of most intense managerial control, increases the time during which dissenting voices may be silenced, and weakens the University as whole; and
Whereas, the PSC believes that this is not the moment to open a debate on tenure but rather a conversation on what is needed at CUNY to make it possible for faculty to succeed, namely adequate research leave, manageable course loads, access to childcare, and ample parental leave, support for scientists conducting research in labs; therefore be it
Resolved, that the Professional Staff Congress oppose the Chancellor’s proposal to extend the untenured period; that the membership and leadership actively oppose the legislation; and that we call on Chancellor Goldstein and the Board of Trustees to withdraw their tenure proposal and instead join the PSC in advocating for investment in the forms of support that have been demonstrated to promote scholarship and research.
Resolution in Support of Intro. No. 271
New York City Equal Benefits Bill
Submitted by: Jay Appleman, QCC Chapter
Whereas, legislation before the City Council (Intro. 271) requires that companies which have contracts with the City of New York for $100,000 or more provide the same benefits to employees with domestic partners as they provide to employees with spouses, including health insurance, bereavement and family medical leave; and
Whereas, lead sponsor Councilmember Christine Quinn has testified that “The Equal benefits Bill would insure that all New Yorkers are getting equal benefits for equal work. The City of New York has an obligation to demand that businesses that receive public money treat their employees with the same dignity and respect that the City treats its own employees;” and
Whereas, Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum has stated “This bill takes New York City the extra mile in its support of domestic partnership benefits. If we are serious about equality for New York City employees, then we must extend that same standard of non-discrimination to those with whom this city does business. All employees deserve the same benefits regardless of their sexual orientation or marital status;” and
Whereas, the cities of San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Minneapolis, among others, and the State of California have all recognized that discrimination should not be financed by public dollars and have enacted legislation similar to Intro. 271; and
Whereas, domestic partner benefits are important not only to LGBT people, but to a variety of individuals who can live together and form families without being married; and it would be wrong for taxpayers’ money to support one set of employees and their families, while leaving another set of employees and their families unprotected; and
Whereas, the PSC has a long-established history of opposing discrimination and supporting issues of social justice,
Now Be It Resolved, that the PSC Delegate Assembly affirm it support for the passage of New York City Council Intro. 271; and
Be It Further Resolved, that the PSC’s support be transmitted to the City Council, and included in any testimony before the City Council or its Committees regarding Intro. 271.
Resolution IN SUPPORT OF THE MARCH FOR WOMEN'S LIVES
Sunday, April 25, 2004 in Washington DC
Whereas, the PSC is committed to equal rights for all; and
Whereas, reproductive rights are essential to women’s full participation in the labor force and in society; and
Whereas, the PSC affirms the right and moral capacity of women and men to make sound and responsible decisions about their lives; and
Whereas, parenting is a major commitment for women and men and becoming a parent must not be coerced; and
Whereas, organized labor is committed to the general welfare of working people; and
Whereas, access to health care that includes reproductive health care is a goal of organized labor, not just for its members but for everyone; and
Whereas, access to legal abortion is fundamental to women’s reproductive rights; and
Whereas, President Bush and his administration, from the first day of assuming office, have taken every opportunity to curtail reproductive rights domestically and internationally; therefore, be it
Resolved, that the PSC endorse and sign on as a co-sponsor of the March for Women’s Lives on Sunday, April 25, 2004 and encourage its labor affiliates to sign on as sponsors and participants as well; and be it further
Resolved, that the PSC encourage and facilitate members’ participation in the March for Women’s Lives.
Delegate
Assembly Resolutions
October
30, 2003
Resolution to Enfranchise Non-citizen Residents in Local Elections
Whereas, over 1.3 million non-citizen residents of voting age live in New York City (one in five); and
Whereas non-citizen residents contribute to the economic vitality of New York City, by paying taxes, purchasing goods and services, and working in every sector of the economy; and
Whereas, non-citizen residents contribute to the social and cultural vitality of NYC by sending their children to schools, developing and participating in the life of their communities through churches, synagogues, mosques, and community groups; and
Whereas, non-citizen residents serve in the military and have died defending this country; and
Whereas, non-citizen residents are excluded from participating in the selection of representatives who make laws and public policy affecting their lives on a daily basis; and
Whereas, excluding such a significant portion of the city’s population undermines the health, representativness and legitimacy of our laws and public policies; and
Whereas, the average time it takes to attain citizenship is ten years; and
Whereas, non-citizens voted in local, state and national elections in the U.S. from the Founding until the 1920s and in twenty-two states and federal territories, until it fell casualty to nativism and elite reaction to the potential power of growing working class movements and electoral strength (which also brought literacy tests, poll taxes, restrictive residency and voter registration requirements); and
Whereas, the Civil Rights Movement ushered in noncitizen voting in NYC school board elections from 1969 to 2003 (when school boards were eliminated); and
Whereas, nearly a dozen other jurisdictions in the U.S. have more recently extended voting rights to non-citizens or are currently considering such legislation, including in San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.; and
Whereas, twenty-two countries in the world currently permit resident aliens to vote; and
Whereas, non-citizen voting is a proven practical pathway to political incorporation, citizenship and participation as reflected in America’s previous practice with it and as evidenced in contemporary jurisdictions in the U.S. and globally that allow noncitizens to vote—all of which shows voting gives newcomers greater incentives to develop ties to local communities and facilitates civic education and political participation; and
Whereas, non-citizens, such as permanent legal residents, comprise a significant proportion of the membership of the PSC and the student body of CUNY who understand the value of the franchise and would be empowered to participate in the democratic process; therefore be it
Resolved, that PSC-CUNY urge its members to support a Resolution or legislation by the City Council which would allow noncitizens to vote in New York City elections, including for Mayor, Comptroller, City Council, Borough Presidents, District Attorneys, and Judges.
Delegate
Assembly Resolutions
September 25, 2003
Resolution ON CAMPUS EQUITY WEEK
Whereas October 27-31, 2003 will be a week of coordinated activities on campuses in the U.S., Canada and Mexico called Campus Equity Week (CEW).
Whereas CUNY has over 9500 part time workers in its collective bargaining unit, including teaching and non-teaching adjuncts, grad fellows, and CLTs, many of whom have served the university for decades.
Whereas CEW is a week dedicated to educate our campus communities, the public and policymakers about the desirability and efficacy of equitable labor policies and standards that encourage fairness and dignity for all members of the campus community.
Whereas failure to extend to all faculty professional conditions, a living wage and respect, compromises the quality of education in the university and risks academic freedom, the stability of the profession, and the integrity of our standing with students and the community.
Whereas CEW is part of a growing movement among working people from all walks of life seeking to address inequities of contingent work.
Be it resolved that the PSC supports Campus Equity Week and will mobilize its full and part-time members to join together in creative ways to implement fairness to contingent workers, through such projects as:
Thereby providing models of a just and equitable democratic community for our students.
Resolution Against Non-Partisan
Elections
Submitted by the Legislation Committee
Whereas, Mayor Michael Bloomberg has proposed a referendum for the November 4th, 2003 election that calls for non-partisan elections; and
Whereas, non-partisan elections will eliminate party primaries in New York City elections for Mayor, Comptroller, City Council and Borough Presidents; and
Whereas, non-partisan elections may mislead voters since candidates’ listed party affiliation may not reflect any commitment to party platforms or principles;
Whereas, non-partisan elections, take away the right of rank and file party members to choose the candidates in Primary elections that most represent their political positions;
Whereas, non-partisan primaries make it easier for candidates to obscure what they stand for and what their positions are; and
Whereas, non-partisan elections would eliminate third-party ballot lines in the November general election; and
Whereas, the winners of non-partisan elections tend to be those who spend the most and gain name recognition; and
Whereas, non-partisan elections distract attention from more tested reforms that are proven to increase voter participation, such as on site registrations, or longer voting periods;
Whereas, non-partisan elections will make it more difficult for candidates of color to win office; therefore be it
Resolved, that PSC-CUNY urge its members to vote No on Question #3 in the NYC November 4, 2003 general election.
Delegate
Assembly Resolutions
June 19,
2003
Resolution to Join U.S. Labor Against the War
Resolved, that PSC/CUNY join US Labor Against the War; and be it further
Resolved, that PSC send a delegation to the October 2003 founding convention of the US Labor Against the War; and be it further
Resolved, that PSC create a special DA committee to work on anti-war issues that will exist for one year to be reviewed thereafter
Resolution in support of Res. No. 909, currently before the NYC Council and calling upon federal, state, and local officials, and New York City agencies and institutions, to affirm and uphold civil rights and civil liberties
Whereas, the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, Public Law 107-56, was passed just 45 days after the tragic events of September 11, 2001, without due deliberation and consideration; and
Whereas, the original intent to meet demands for urgent action in the face of national emergency has resulted in the significant erosion of constitutional rights in the United States, including the rights to freedom of speech, due process and equal protection; and
Whereas, the Act and related executive orders, regulations and actions permit incarceration of non-citizens based upon mere suspicion, and allow for the indefinite detention of citizens without charges and without access to counsel; and
Whereas, since September 11, 2001, thousands of Arab, Muslim and South Asian men and students have been interrogated, fingerprinted, and detained based solely or primarily on their religion or ethnicity; and
Whereas, the USA PATRIOT Act granted law enforcement and intelligence agencies vast new powers to access personal, medical, library and financial records without having to show probable cause or reasonable suspicion; and
Whereas, new FBI guidelines provide the federal government with substantial new powers to engage in surveillance of activities protected by the First Amendment, including the power to spy on political meetings, religious gatherings, internet “chat” rooms, and other public meetings without suspicion of any past, present or future criminal activity; and
Whereas, the federal government has drafted new legislation entitled the Domestic Security Enhancement Act (also known as PATRIOT II), which contains sweeping new law enforcement and intelligence gathering powers, many of which are not related to terrorism, that would further compromise constitutional rights, and further undermine our government’s unique system of checks and balances; and
Whereas, over 120 communities throughout the country, in addition to three states, have enacted Resolutions that reaffirm support for civil rights and civil liberties and that demand accountability form law enforcement agencies regarding the exercise of the extraordinary new powers referred to herein; and
Whereas, PSC/CUNY is committed to protecting and ensuring the civil rights and civil liberties of all residents of the United States of America; therefore be it
Resolved that PSC/CUNY oppose the USA Patriot Act and call for the NYC Council to pass Res. No. 909, which calls upon federal, state and local officials, and upon New York City agencies and institutions, to affirm and uphold civil rights and civil liberties.
Resolution Opposing FCC's Relaxation of Media Ownership Rules
Whereas the FCC's 3-2 vote on June 2, 2003 to relax media ownership rules will lead to greater concentration and cross-ownership of large media conglomerates across the country,
Whereas increased media concentration inevitably reduces the range of public discourse around contemporary issues of public concern,
Whereas the 1996 relaxation of ownership rules for radio have clearly led to a reduction of local outlets and local news,
Whereas an informed citizenship depends crucially on access and exposure to a broad spectrum of substantively divergent media sources,
Whereas the FCC is an agency of appointed, unelected officials, and the FCC refused to share its research in response to specific Congressional requests,
Resolved that the Professional Staff Congress opposes the relaxation of ownership rules adopted by the FCC on June 2,
Resolved that the Professional Staff Congress encourages its members to express their support for Congressional action to rescind the recently amended rules.
Resolution in Support of HR 603, on the Status of Citizens
of Montserrat Residing in the United States
Submitted to the Executive Council by Vera Weekes
Whereas, the 40 square mile island of Montserrat, situated in the Eastern Caribbean, has been experiencing catastrophic volcanic eruption since July 1995; and
Whereas, volcanologists and scientists involved in the disaster have predicted that it is unlikely that the volcano will cease to erupt in the near future, possibly continuing for at least 25 years in total; and
Whereas, the Department of State reports that in the near future there is a significant risk of new eruptions caused by the sustained growth of the lava dome of the Soufriere Hills volcano. Continuous dome growth has increased the hazard of pyroclastic flows, explosions, volcanic mudflows, and fall of ash and small stones. The volcano spews hundreds of tons of sulphur dioxide daily, as well as numerous rockfalls and flows of super-heated rocks, ash and gas; and
Whereas, the continuous catastrophic volcanic eruptions, the ongoing housing shortage, serious health risks from hazardous volcanic ash have rendered two-thirds of the Island uninhabitable, the remaining one-third impossible to house the population and future habitability uncertain; and
Whereas, most of the Island’s 12,000-13,000 inhabitants fled, dispersing throughout the other islands and the United Kingdom (8000) and caused disruption in the education of its students as all schools and churches in the safe zone were used as temporary housing for a period of months and all education therefore ceased for some length of time; and
Whereas this state of affairs created chaos and eventually migration of its students to a more stable environment and
Whereas the devastation of the two-thirds portion of the island reduced the number of Primary schools [K-8] grade from thirteen to two and the Secondary schools [Grades 9 to 12 and first year college] from three to one.
Whereas, according to the INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service), a small number of Montserratians including students and teachers of the Montserrat Union of Teachers [MUT], 363, came to the United States and have been granted temporary protected status (TPS), renewable each year for a one-year period, by the Attorney General since August 1997; and
Whereas, the Montserratians living in the United States cannot return to the island to live and to alleviate the temporary and precarious position granted them by the Attorney General; and
Whereas, On February 5, 2003 Congressman Major Owens introduced into the House of Representatives HR 603 “to provide for adjustment of immigration status for certain aliens granted temporary protected status in the United States because of conditions in Montserrat; ” therefore be it
Resolved, that PSC support Bill HR 603 and urge Congress and the Committee on the Judiciary to pass into law.
Delegate Assembly Resolutions
Resolution REGARDING COLOMBIAN TRADE
UNIONISTS
Whereas: Over 30,000 people, among them over 3,900 Colombian trade unionists have been assassinated since 1986 and 184 in 2002, including members of the Union of University Workers of Colombia (both faculty and administrators) as well as public school teachers in the Colombian Teachers Federation of whom 48 were killed in the last two months of 2002; and
Whereas: Acccording to the Human Rights Watch recently published Country Report on Colombia the vast majority of killings and attacks on labor leaders are committed by paramilitaries which have ties to the Colombian Armed Forces who have failed to take concrete action to sever the systematic ties between its members and the paramilitary forces; and
Whereas: The Colombian Government has failed to take effective action to investigate, arrest and prosecute the killers of the union members, and have adopted inadequate measures to protect union leaders; and
Whereas: Members
of the Colombian Teachers Federation have been not only victims of
assassination, but also of kidnapping, disappearances, threats from armed
groups, and constant harassment and have issued an appeal for international
solidarity; and
Whereas: As part of “Plan Colombia,” United States President George W. Bush on January 10, 2002 signed Public Law (P.L.) 107-115, which authorized $380.5 million in aid to Colombia, the bulk of it for Colombia's military; and weeks later, President Bush requested from the U.S. Congress an emergency supplemental package that included $35 million more for Colombia; and
Whereas: The Professional Staff Congress is a member of the Civil Society Network for Public Education in the Americas, a hemispheric solidarity group of academic unionists.
Therefore be it resolved: The Professional Staff Congress oppose funding by the United States Government of the Colombian Armed Forces under “Plan Colombia,” and participate in the AFL-CIO efforts to provide solidarity and protection for Colombian trade unionists.
Respectfully submitted by
Anthony O’Brien for the International Committee
Delegate Assembly Resolutions
FOR 2003 NYSUT CONVENTION
Reaffirmation of Support of A02354/S2971
Submitted by: Professional Staff Congress
Whereas, A02354/S2971 was introduced in the Assembly by Assemblyman Edward Sullivan and the Senate by Senator Toby Stavisky; and
Whereas, A02354/S2971 provides that no Trustee of SUNY or CUNY shall be an employee or under the supervision of the appointing authority; and
Whereas, the purpose of the bill is to ensure that said Trustees serve with objectivity, independence and integrity; and
Whereas, A02354 passed in the New York State Assembly on May 14, 2002 and is now in the New York State Senate; and
Whereas, a Resolution submitted to the April 2002 NYSUT RA called for its passage in the 2002 legislative session; and
Whereas, the New York State Senate failed to act in 2002; therefore be it
Resolved, that New York State United Teachers work for its passage by the New York State Senate and its enactment into legislation in the 2003 session; and be it further
Resolved, that NYSUT work with the legislators to amend the bill to include a section on a blue ribbon panel to select and review candidates for trustees prior to being nominated.
In Support of Implementation of "Good Standards in the Employment of Part-Time/Adjunct Faculty"
Submitted by: Professional Staff Congress
Whereas, the ratio of part-time to full-time faculty in the state’s two and four year public colleges continues to grow; and
Whereas, New York State United Teachers adopted a Resolution on equity for part-time faculty at its 2002 Resolution Assembly; and
Whereas, AFT at its 2002 Convention adopted " Standards of Good Practice in the Employment of Part-Time Adjunct Faculty: A Blueprint for Raising Standards and Ensuring Financial and Professional Equity;" therefore be it
Resolved, that New York State United Teachers establish a Committee on Part-Time Labor to develop a plan of implementation for "Standards of Good Practice," including legislation to promote fair labor standards for contingent academic labor and equal pay for equal work.
Reaffirmation of support for S06244/A11550, LaValle/Sullivan
Submitted by: Professional Staff Congress
Whereas, the Professional Staff Congress of CUNY won through collective bargaining a fringe benefit of transit checks for its members; and
Whereas, other unions in the Municipal Labor Coalition won and received transit checks for their members; and
Whereas, this benefit would allow the purchase of transit checks with pretax dollars thereby reducing the tax liability of PSC members; and
Whereas, a bill was introduced by both the Senate and the Assembly in the 2002 session but was not enacted by either body; therefore be it
Resolved, that New York State United Teachers work for its immediate passage in the 2003 session of the New York State Legislature.
In Support of Equitable Taxation
Submitted by: Professional Staff Congress
Whereas, Governor George Pataki drained state reserve funds in order to close the gap in the 2002-2003 state budget; and
Whereas, there is an estimated deficit of $2.8 billion in the 2003-2004 state budget; and
Whereas, the top personal income tax rate has been cut by 50% over the last twenty-five years; and
Whereas, there seems to be a trickle up theory of economics operating in the state whereby taxes on the wealthy are reduced and services for the poor and working class people reduced; and
Whereas, the lack of state revenue may lead to a reduced or steady state budget for the City University of New York and the State University of New York; and
Whereas, the shortfall may lead the Trustees of the City University of New York and the State University of New York to shift more of the fiscal burden of operating the institutions to students through an increase in tuition; therefore be it
Resolved, that New York State United Teachers urge the Governor and legislature of the State of New York to institute a surcharge on personal income higher than $100,000 per annum and roll back the tax cuts on those incomes as well as find other sources of revenue, including the closing of corporate loopholes.
Inflation Protection Equity for Optional Retirement Program Members
Submitted by: Professional Staff Congress
Whereas, the New York State Legislature has created different retirement systems that New York State and New York City public employees may choose, including New York State and Local Employees Retirement Systems, the New York City Employees Retirement Systems, New York State and New York City Teachers Retirement Systems, and the Optional Retirement Program; and
Whereas, it is the New York State Legislature’s intent to provide equity among New York State public retirement systems to the greatest extent practicable; and
Whereas, the Legislature has enacted a Cost of Living Adjustment to provide inflation protection for retirees in the eight major New York State public retirement systems, including those mentioned above; therefore be it
Resolved, that NYSUT study the issue of Inflation Protection Equity for retirees in the Optional Retirement Program, and develop such specific legislative proposals as may be appropriate.
Resolution on the Regents English Examination
Submitted by: Professional Staff Congress
Whereas, a large number of new immigrants enter the educational system in New York State at the secondary level; and
Whereas, New York State now mandates passing scores on a series of Regents examinations to fulfill graduation requirements; and
Whereas, advocacy groups such as the New York Immigration Coalition have expressed concerns about the effects of standardized tests, especially the Regents English Examination, on the graduation rates of high school students who have been designated English Language Learners (i.e., students of limited English proficiency); and
Whereas, many public institutions of higher education in New York State offer intensive instruction in English as a Second Language (ESL) to students otherwise academically prepared to begin some college work; and
Whereas, many university-level ESL programs have begun to offer paired and linked courses which simultaneously present English language skills and traditional college-level, academic coursework; and
Whereas, the City University of New York (CUNY) offers a CUNY Language Immersion Program (CLIP), which is subsidized by the State of New York, and which accepts students of highly limited English proficiency into intensive (25 hours a week) programs designed for beginning-level students; and
Whereas, the number of ESL students at CUNY has fallen dramatically in the last seven years; and
Whereas, CUNY and the New York City Board of Education have worked consistently in the past decade to facilitate the "seamless" transition from high school to college; and
Whereas, many students of limited English proficiency cannot achieve the designated cut scores for the New York State English Regents English Examination and therefore cannot graduate from New York City high schools, despite being academically prepared in other areas; therefore be it
Resolved, that the New York State United Teachers establish a committee to research the effects of the New York State Regents examinations, in particular the English examination, on the rates of high school graduation and college admission among students who are designated ESL, English Language Learner (ELL), or Limited English Proficiency (LEP).
Resolution on High Stakes Tests
Proposed by: Professional Staff Congress
Whereas, there is growing national concern that standardized tests are being overused and misused by college admission’s offices; and
Whereas, Fairtest and women’s and civil rights’ organizations have stated that standardized tests, particularly the SAT, are poor predictors of college success for women and students of color; and
Whereas, institutions of higher education such as the California State University have proposed that the SAT no longer be used for purposes of admission; and
Whereas, there is evidence that the ACT is being misused as a placement and exit instrument at the City University of New York; and
Whereas, the focus on standardized tests for assessment, as opposed to teacher judgment, has fueled the "standards" movement; and
Whereas, the use and misuse of such instruments prevent the admission of students who otherwise qualify; therefore be it
Resolved, that NYSUT establish a policy committee to review the content and use of standardized tests for admission and placement purposes at the public colleges and universities in New York State. In particular, the committee is to monitor and report the misuse of standardized, high-stakes assessments and to inform the public when tests are misused for purposes other than for which they are developed and designed; and be it further
Resolved, that NYSUT work to ensure that standardized tests are developed and used in a manner consistent with the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing (APA Guidelines) published jointly by the American Educational Research Association, the American Psychological Association, and the National Counc