www.adjuncts.apea-aft.org

ADJUNCT NEWSLETTER JANUARY 1999

WE DID IT!

Well, WE DID IT!  We got a contract.  And a good one at that.  The bottom line in a contract is exactly that, the bottom line.  The best organizing and a wholloping win in the election don’t really mean that much.  Hundreds of unions have been voted into existence by their bargaining unit, but only a fraction of these ever get their first contract.  In real life, success is measured by what is accomplished, not what is talk about.

The membership supported the contract as well.  The votes were almost 4 to 1 in favor of the contract.  For those who voted against the contract, it is important that you fully participate in the development of our next contract.  We have come a long way with this, our first contract, but each proceeding agreement has to be better and stronger.  There were quite a few important issues left on the table, so to speak, but that does not mean we have to forget about issues like health insurance, longevity of employment preferences, job security, etc.  But if we want the university to seriously consider these issues in three years, we have to develop a workable proposal to put on the table. 

Volunteers Needed 

            Now that we are a bonafide union with a negotiated contract and recognition by the American Federation of Teachers, it’s important that we build on our success.  Just because we have a contract does not mean that the work is over.  There are many ongoing matters that have to be handled.  These include: 

CONSTITUTION and BYLAWS: Though we have a constitution and bylaws, they were modeled on those of other adjunct groups across the country.  However, we are a unique entity and there are already indications that important aspects were left out of the documents.  As soon as possible we would like set up a Constitution and Bylaws Committee to begin the process of fine-tuning what have.  Anyone interested in chairing or serving on that committee should contact the AFT office in Anchorage (274-1688; 1-800-478-9992) or via the Web Page. 

ELECTIONS:  We also need to start thinking about establishing a strong executive board and a workable mechanism to elect new officers.  Ed Barker in Fairbanks has volunteered to chair the committee. 

NEGOTIATIONS:  Yes, we have a contract but there are still a lot of sticking points.  Many questions have yet to be answered on what the contract actually means.  And we have to make sure that all of the issues that are raised by our members are reflected in the new contract.  The best time to start raising issues is now so that we can ‘talk them through.’ Anyone interested in chairing or serving on this committee should contact the AFT office in Anchorage (274-1688; 1-800-478-9992) or via the Web Page. 

GRIEVANCE:  We also need a grievance committee that will provide advice on grievances as they are filed by adjuncts.  Currently there are three active grievances. Anyone interested in chairing or serving on this committee should contact the AFT office in Anchorage (274-1688; 1-800-478-9992) or via the Web Page. 

Visit our Web Site
Because the adjuncts are so scattered in what and when they teach as well as were they live, it is going to be hard to keep everyone informed as to the latest developments.  That’s why we’ve decided to emphasis our web page, www.apea-aft.org/adjuncts.  Whatever documentation is available will be placed on the web page as soon as possible.  There is also an email link on the page so you can send you comments to the office.  For those who want to see what our colleagues are saying, there is a complete file in the office of all email.

 FAQs 

1)      HOW MUCH WILL THIS COST ME? 

The amount of membership dues is now set at 2.5% of gross. For a nuts-and-bolts example, if you now make $2,000 per class, you will pay $50 per class in dues – about $5.55 per pay period.  HOWEVER, your first salary increase, 6% starting July 1, 1999, will result in $120 more per class, $13.33 per pay period.  Your second year, your dues will go up to $6.18 per pay period but your second pay increase will be $11.11 per pay period.  Into the third year of your contract, you will pay $6.38 per pay period for dues and see a $8.80 increase per pay period. 

2)      DO I HAVE TO JOIN? 

No, you don't have to join; but you will still be required to pay what is called an "Agency Fee."  This is because the union is required to represent you even if you are not a member.  For example, suppose someone who is paying the Agency Fee has a grievance.   By law, the union is the unit with which the University of Alaska must bargain.  This means that the union must represent that individual even though he/she is not a member of the unit.  The Agency Fee is the way that person pays for the services he/she may need without joining the union.  The agency fee is 2.13% of gross.

 3)      WHAT DO I GET FOR MY MONEY IF I JOIN THE UNION?

In addition to ongoing representation, you are also eligible for a wide range of other benefits.  If you want to know exactly what they are, call Steve Levi in the Anchorage office (274-1688; 1-800-478-9992) for a pamphlet.  Generally those benefits include access to a pool for health insurance, low interest housing loans, free tickets to Disneyland and Disneyworld. You also have the right to go to ULI, Union Leadership Institute, which will teach you how to handle grievances, negotiations, difficult personnel matters and other issues that are critical to the survival of a bargaining unit.