Article 28.4 (b) of the UFCT 1460 Collective Bargaining Agreement states the following:

28.4  Tuition Remission and Tuition Exchange Plan

(b)  Part-Time Faculty

The tuition remission program set forth in Article 28.4(a)(1), above, shall be available on a pro rata basis to the spouses and children of the adjunct faculty who have completed ten (10) or more semesters of employment (as a visitor or adjunct).  The pro-ration per semester shall be based on the faculty member’s workload in the last preceding semester as against a full-time per semester workload in the faculty member’s department.

This means that there is no limit to the reimbursement based upon some arbitrary maximum number of course credits set by Human Resources.  Course credits are nowhere mentioned in the CBA.  If the adjunct takes 8 credits, the reimbursement will be figured based on that, and if he or she takes 12, it will be figured based on that, and so on.  The adjunct receives reimbursement based upon the ratio of his or her workload the previous semester in relationship to a full-time workload in his or her department.  That ratio in turn is multiplied by the total tuition, resulting in the amount Pratt covers, and the amount for which the adjunct is responsible.      

As such, if you are an adjunct faculty member who has used the tuition remission benefit for yourself, spouse, or any dependent child in the last three years, please contact the UFCT ASAP as you most probably paid much more than was warranted for your tuition remission benefit.

The UFCT will not countenance such abuse and bad faith.

In Solidarity,

-Kye

Union Office: (718) 636-3614

Email: kyecarbone@gmail.com

–Suzanne 

______

Kye,

I appreciate all that you, the negotiating team and other officers have done to negotiate and ratify the contract.

Pratt Institute is at a crossroads and the changes and acrimony that you mentioned go beyond the Union. The Master Academic Plan has proposed significant changes that has generated debates as intense as those involving the Union.

I believe that change is a good thing for the Institute. Those of use who have taught at Pratt for over 10 years will remember that Memorial Hall was at the point of literally collapsing. It was closed and the roof might not have made it through a few more winters, drawing rooms in the main building had to close during heavy rains because of leaks. After numerous renovations the administration has rebuilt the Brooklyn campus and bought a building in Manhattan.

There has also been a serious effort to improve the Institute's reputation. We have always had a good reputation, with some departments and schools rated higher then others, but financial difficulties of the last century have had a negative effect on the academics.

The faculty has consistently worked to improve Pratt's reputation and I hope that we can all agree that a strong and committed Union will work with the Administration to improve the quality of education.

Change is never easy but with an 86% victory I hope that we can return to the reason that we joined the Union, a secure and positive teaching environment.

In Solidarity,

Jim

p.s. Kye please send this out to the rest of the Union members. My email cant deal with that many recipients.

______

kyecarbone2@aol.com wrote:

Dear UFCT Member:

I am obviously thrilled that the 2007-2011 Collective Bargaining >

Agreement has been ratified, and by such an overwhelming margin [86% > ‘In Favor’!!]

Yet, I would be less than honest if I did not confess being disturbed

> by the negative efforts of a few naysayers these last four weeks. The > UFCT's Executive, Negotiating and Grievance Committees are exhausted, > as we have had to beat back and counter [twenty-four-seven] what was a > concerted campaign of innuendo and slander by a few spoilers who > instinctively reject all change and reform.

In the final analysis though, WE have achieved a strong contract for

> ALL, as every one of us will benefit from our collective efforts, > including – as it should – our naysayer brothers and sisters.

It has been an honor being your Union President. I continue to pledge

> my dedication and commitment to the challenges that lay ahead and > promise never to lose sight of the confidence and trust bestowed upon me.

In Solidarity,

-Kye

The 2007-2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement has been ratified.

The ballots were counted and the results are as follows:

149 Yays

25 Nays

26 Invalid Ballots (unmarked by any name, signature, or return address)

200 Total Votes Received

Two additional group information meetings for UFCT members regarding the review of the Memorandum of Understanding will be held:

Thursday May 8, 12:30-2, Engineering 110

Thursday May 15, 12:30-2, Engineering 110

Note: Neither meeting is a "general membership" meeting; therefore no motions will be accepted from the floor. 

The present Collective Bargaining Agreement (click on Contract, above) and the Memorandum of Understanding (look in the column to the right) are available here. 

BALLOTS

Mailings (cover letter with ballot and balloting instructions, a contact information letter, a hard copy of the MOU, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and "blind" envelope) have been sent.  If you do not receive this between May 10 and May 12 (at the latest), please contact the UFCT ASAP.

The firm deadline for all ballots is: FRIDAY, MAY 23rd, by 12 NOON.  There will be a public counting of all cast ballots at this time in the UFCT conference room: 123 North Hall.  Everyone is welcome to attend.

Do not hesitate to contact the UFCT office (125 North Hall) with any questions at all (kyecarbone2@aol.com; 718-636-3614).  

–Suzanne Verderber