111 to 11 yes votes in the delegate assembly as PSC activists took a step forward without letting the perfect be the enemy of the good.
After a spirited debate, the Delegate Assembly voted last night to submit the tentative contract agreement to the PSC membership for a ratification vote. The vote to recommend ratification of the new contract passed by an overwhelming majority of 111 in favor to 11 opposed. The CUNY Board of Trustees is expected to approve the agreement at their Monday, July 27 meeting. PSC members will then have the final word on the contract during a ratification vote to be held in July (details will be coming soon).
A summary of the main features of the contract, the full memorandum of agreement and related documents are posted here on the PSC website.
CUNY Board Postpones Proposed Policy on "Expressive Conduct"
The CUNY Board of Trustees amended its calendar for the Board meeting on Monday, June 27, adding a note indicating that the proposed "Freedom of Expression and Expressive Conduct" policy will be considered at a later time. The note on the calendar read:
"It was clear from testimony at the public hearing on June 20, 2016, and other communications that there are questions and concerns about the proposed policy. The Chairperson and the Chancellor have determined that there should be additional consultation and discussion. Accordingly, this item is included on the calendar solely for informational purposes. A proposed policy will be considered by the Board of Trustees at a later time, following additional consultation and discussion."
PSC President Barbara Bowen was one of many CUNY professors and students who testified against the proposed policy at a public hearing this past Monday. Bowen called on the new Chair of the Board of Trustees, William Thompson, not to begin his term by passing such a repressive policy. (Audio of the hearing is posted here.) President Bowen reaffirmed the PSC's position against policies that limit speech, saying:
"Such a policy seems especially dangerous in a university whose students are already often silenced and marginalized by poverty and racism. And it is a poor response to a faculty and staff that was forced to organize for a strike authorization vote."
President Bowen closed her testimony by demanding that CUNY bargain over this policy, as it directly affects a term and condition of employment in that it refers to the contractual procedures on discipline.
Moved Recently? Changed Your Email Address or Home/Cell Phone Number?
Send PSC Your Updated Contact Information before the Contract Ratification Vote
This summer, eligible PSC members (those who meet the union's constitutional requirement of four months of prior membership) will receive ballot information about PSC's contract ratification vote. Once voting begins, you'll be able to cast your ballot either by internet, telephone or on paper. But it all begins with a mailing and email message from the American Arbitration Association, which will give you instructions for voting, and a PSC phone number for assistance. If you've moved recently, updated your home or cell phone number, or changed your personal and/or college email, the PSC may not have these changes on file for you. To ensure you receive a ballot and other vote-related mailings, please email your updated contact information to PSC Membership Coordinator Diana Rosato at membership@pscmail.org or click this link to complete the PSC's membership update form.
PSC in the News
Here is the latest coverage of the tentative agreement on the PSC-CUNY contract:
NY Times: Tentative Contract Deal at CUNY Ends Stalemate and Strike Threat
NY Daily News: CUNY staff, administration reach deal on contract, break six-year deadlock
Wall Street Journal: CUNY and Faculty Union Reach Contract Deal
Inside Higher Ed: CUNY Reaches Tentative Deal With Faculty Union
The Chronicle of Higher Ed: CUNY and Faculty Union Reach Tentative Deal to End Long Labor Fight
Staten Island Advance: Tentative contract agreement reached for CUNY faculty
Workers World: CUNY employees win contract
Black Star News: CUNY Reaches Deal with Union -- Milliken
Academe Blog: Professional Staff Congress Reaches Contract Deal With CUNY
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