As of the October 15th deadline, only 20% of faculty have returned the yellow forms that were distributed in all Brooklyn campus mailboxes in September. Of some 700+ contacts made, meaning, the stuffing of — at a minimum — 700 plus Pratt Brooklyn mailboxes w/an information packet including the 2007-2011 CBA, there have been just 152 responses (107 UFCT bargaining unit members wishing to remain union members, 40 newly enrolled union members and just 5 opting for being agency fee payers). So what now?
For Union Members:
If you are at present a dues paying union member, the UFCT will assume that you wish no change in your membership status; to retain your current "remain a union member in good standing" status (option #1 on the yellow sheet). Therefore we ask that you simply return — if such materials still exist — all 'unmarked' enrollment forms and any duplicate contracts you might have received. In other words, you have made your choice by not choosing otherwise.
For Non-Members:
THIS IS A SECOND CHANCE! SHOULD YOU NOT RESPOND, THE UFCT WILL HAVE TO NOTIFY THE PRATT ADMINISTRATION OF YOUR NON-COMPLIANCE WHICH WILL PUT YOUR REAPPOINTMENT FOR NEXT SEMESTER AT RISK. IF YOU HAVE MISPLACED OR LOST ANY OF THE DISTRIBUTED ENROLLMENT MATERIALS, PLEASE CONTACT THE UFCT OFFICE IMMEDIATELY (125 NORTH HALL, 718-636-3614.)
The benefits of union membership are:
1. the right to hold union office;
2. the right to participate in union governance, vote in union elections and attend union meetings;
3. the right to have input regarding collective bargaining proposals and;
4. the right to ratify collective bargaining agreements.
Should you choose not to belong to the union, be aware that you will be required to pay an agency fee equivalent to the amount of dues paid by union members. Moreover, be advised that if you choose to be a non-member you have the right to object to the payment of agency fees which are expended for purposes other than contract administration, grievance adjustment and collective bargaining, and would be due a rebate for such ‘non-chargeable’ expenses. A procedure to process one’s objection will be sent to the agency fee payer in the late spring 2009 semester. Agency fee payers must apply for, and strictly follow, the rebate procedure at the time of notification.