No Confidence in Pathways Vote Announced
The departure of University Chancellor Matthew Goldstein presents a strategic moment to send a message to the incoming CUNY administration in a form they cannot ignore that the faculty has no confidence in Pathways. Next week full-time faculty will receive in the mail a secret ballot for a referendum on a motion of No Confidence in Pathways. The May issue of Clarion arrives on campus later this week, but you can click this link to get an advance look at this issue’s coverage of the scheduled vote and a column explaining the reasons for the vote from Barbara Bowen, president of the PSC.
Ballots will be mailed on Wed., May 8, and voting will take place from May 9 to May 31. The referendum will be conducted by the American Arbitration Association through a secure ballot among all full-time faculty. You may vote online, by telephone and by mail. If you haven’t received a ballot by Fri., May 10, contact Barbara Gabriel at 212-354-1252 or [email protected].
May Day March & Rally: See You There—This Wed., May 1
Be a part of the celebration this May Day, as the workers and immigrants of New York City come together to show our collective strength and our shared commitment to a better world. This year’s May Day event begins at 4:30 PM on Wed., May 1 with a rally in Union Square followed at 5:15 PM by a march down Broadway to City Hall, where PSC President Barbara Bowen will be among the speakers. You can download a flier at this link. PSC members will meet at the northeast corner of Union Square at 4:15 PM. Join us, and wear your PSC caps and t-shirts. If you can’t get to Union Square in time for the march, we’ll be near City Hall at the intersection of Warren St. and Broadway at 5:45 PM. The rally at City Hall begins at 6 PM.
Fourteen-Month Extension for Adjunct Health Insurance
Adjunct health insurance through the PSC-CUNY Welfare Fund has been extended for a year and two months—through June 30, 2014. An agreement between the PSC and CUNY on the 14-month extension was reached on April 24, 2013, and was supported by a vote by the Welfare Fund Board of Trustees. An email from PSC President Barbara Bowen said:
“I had hoped to be able to announce a permanent shift of adjunct health insurance to the City of New York, but agreement with the City has not been reached. Rather than ask you to live in uncertainty any longer, the PSC worked with CUNY to negotiate an extension of the current adjunct health insurance program through the Welfare Fund. We are grateful to the CUNY administration and to the Welfare Fund Trustees and staff…Coverage through the Welfare Fund is not a permanent solution; the union will continue to work with CUNY on a long-term structural solution.”
Candidates Talk CUNY and Labor at PSC’s Mayoral Forum
Mayoral candidates John Liu and Bill Thompson named their priorities for the City University and affirmed their commitment to public higher education last week at a forum hosted by the PSC at the Hunter School of Social Work in East Harlem. The discussion, moderated by journalist Tom Robbins, addressed long-term disinvestment in CUNY and the university’s imminent leadership change, along with issues like low-income students’ access to college, diversity of the student body, academic freedom, and retroactive raises for public sector unions, such as the PSC. A photo gallery of the event is posted on the PSC website. Video clips of questions and answers will soon be available.
Rally to Save Vital Healthcare Services in Brooklyn—Thurs., May 9
A coalition of faith, labor and community organizations will rally this Thurs., May 9 at 5:00 PM, as part of an all-out campaign to save SUNY Downstate, Brooklyn’s only state-run public hospital. Vital healthcare services and jobs are on the line after the state budget passed without funding appropriated to save the hospital, which has been on the verge of insolvency. PSC’s sister union, United University Professions, represents many SUNY Downstate workers. A press conference and “pre-rally” with Rev. Al Sharpton is set for 3 PM at SUNY Downstate’s 470 Clarkson Ave. entrance. A church service at Mt. Zion Church of God, at 203 E. 37th St. (between Church Avenue and Linden Boulevard) is scheduled for 4:15 PM, and the rally will start at 5 PM at SUNY Downstate’s 470 Clarkson Ave. entrance. Download a flier at this link.
