Chancellor Milliken to Step Down
James B. Milliken, chancellor of CUNY, announced yesterday that he will step down from his position as chancellor at the end of the academic year.
“The PSC will continue to work with Chancellor Milliken while he remains in office and will seek to make as much progress as we can on a new collective bargaining agreement. Meanwhile, we call on the CUNY trustees to start right now and prioritize securing the State and City funds needed for a fair contract. Restoring competitive salaries, paying adjuncts decently and improving basic working conditions are essential to build a university in which all students have the opportunity they deserve,” said Barbara Bowen, PSC President.
Start of Bargaining | Contract Campaign Kick-Off
President Bowen has sent a formal request to Bill Thompson, Chairperson of the CUNY Board of Trustees, to begin negotiations for a new contract. The letter warns that PSC members will not tolerate excessive delays in this round of bargaining. It calls on the CUNY Board to settle a contract with a 5% raise in each year; additional salary increases for those who are lowest-paid; an increase to $7,000 per course for adjuncts; improved job security; material support for department chairs; and improved working conditions for all. If higher salaries and better working conditions are a priority for you, be there for the Contract Campaign Kick-Off. We’ll march from the Graduate Center (4:30PM) to Baruch College to demonstrate outside the CUNY Board meeting (5:30-6:30PM). RSVP here.
We Need to Start Strong |It’s Up to All of Us
The CUNY Board, the Governor and the Mayor will make their first assessment of how important the PSC’s contract agenda is in this round based in part on the strength of our Dec 4 demonstration. Here’s how you can help show them we’re serious about winning our demands:
- RSVP for the Dec 4 Kick-Off demonstration.
- Print a flier for your office door.
- Volunteer an hour during the Phone Banking Party, Dec 1, 12PM – 7PM, to help turn out your colleagues.
- Click “Going” on the Facebook event and invite your friends (Don’t just share it! Invite your friends. Here’s how).
- Tell folks on Twitter that you’ll be there.
Text “PSC” to 69238
Want to receive short text message alerts from the PSC about the contract campaign? Then opt in by texting “PSC” to 69238. We’ll send important bargaining updates and reminders for big events straight to your phone. As with all text-alert systems, your cell phone carrier’s message and data rates may apply.
2018 PSC Elections | Make Sure You Can Vote
The deadline for filing for candidacy for the upcoming union-wide elections is January 8, 2018. The declaration of candidacy form is available online. The spring elections are for the PSC’s principal officer positions of President, First Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary; for Vice Presidents for Senior Colleges, Community Colleges, Part-Time Personnel and Cross-Campus Units; and for the other 19 positions on the PSC Executive Council. Members will also elect delegates to the AFT, NYSUT and AAUP. Click here for other deadlines and election rules. To vote, you must be a PSC member as of December 4, 2017. All CUNY employees represented by the PSC should fill out the new, stronger union membership card, written to withstand the Supreme Court’s pending attack on workers’ rights. If you’re not a member already, filling out the card before December 4 will make you eligible to vote. If you’re already a member but have not filled out the new card, you are eligible to vote, but should still fill out the new card.
Take Action against the Dangerous Tax Plan
The Senate votes next week on a tax plan that is a massive giveaway to the rich and big corporations. Call your U.S. Senators now at (202) 224-3121. When the switchboard answers, press 1 for the Senate and enter your zip code. In New York, please call Senators Schumer and Gillibrand even though they oppose the tax bill. It’s important to call and strengthen their position. Please make two calls.
The Senate bill would eliminate personal deductions for state and local taxes, student debt interest, and home mortgage interest. It would lead to huge shortfalls in state budgets—which could lead to big cuts in funding for CUNY. And see this article in the Atlantic about the “Republican War on College” to learn about provisions of the bill that would be especially punishing for our members.
