Dear APA members,

The APA Executive Board met on February 19, and voted to reject the proposal to reopen our 2009-2011 collective bargaining agreement with the Board of Higher Education.

I communicated our vote by a letter to the BHE, and told the Board: "Our members have already made significant sacrifices for resolving the state’s fiscal crisis, and continue to serve ever-increasing numbers of students with fewer staff. We bargained in good faith for many months, and accepted an agreement that was not all that we deserved but instead reflected the state’s fiscal difficulties. The Governor approved that agreement and requested that the legislature fund it. We will continue to press our legislators to appropriate the necessary funds."

All other MTA-represented higher education unions have made the same decision to pursue state funding of the original contracts, and not agree to reopen their contracts to delay the raises and accept furloughs.

Some good news: The BHE is obligated to use college funds to implement the “professional development” provisions under the current contract, using a half-percent of payroll pool each year. The BHE has notified us that it will pay APA members the retroactive funds for 2009 (according to the contract formula) in the March 19 payroll, and the funds for 2010 will be paid out several weeks later. Also to be paid is the stipend to members who work in campus security, residence halls, and as athletic trainers who hold EMT certification.

The campaign plans for getting legislative funding of the full contract raises are underway. That effort will involve intensive activities coordinated by MTA lobbyists and staff, together with the MTA higher ed union chapters at all UMass, state college and community college campuses. The APA will work hard in that campaign to help insure success in this effort. All APA members will be needed to join other higher ed members in lobbying and contacting our legislators to make funding happen.

I will continue to keep you informed, and the next APA Executive Board meeting will be held on March 19 at Salem State College.

Rick McDermott
APA President