2017

The University of Hartford adjuncts voted to join the Congress of Connecticut Community Colleges and SEIU Faculty Forward, marking the first successful effort by adjuncts at a private university in Connecticut!

A Personal Account of an Adjunct's Peril

January 23, 2017

Hello and welcome to the Spring Semester! I hope you were fortunate enough to have your class run. Last semester, one of my courses was canceled due to low enrollment. It looked like that would happen again this spring, but the night class filled at the last minute. Whew!

I teach computer graphics at Tunxis. I've been teaching since 2006. Back then, I was married and not as dependent on my teaching income. My graphic design business was thriving and my husband worked. Now that I'm divorced, it's different. I am well aware what it's like to have half your income disappear. It's a sick feeling. Losing income as well as contributions to your retirement plan is scary. Especially when you're over 60.

Add the burden of purchasing health insurance as an individual over 60. That is something many of our full time colleagues haven't thought about. When married, I didn't give it much thought either. My former husband worked for the State and I enjoyed exceptional health coverage with little thought to those who didn't.

Since the divorce, I've been on COBRA paying $978 per month for BCBS through the state. Last semester, my take home pay for one course was $1100/month. Guess where my adjunct income went? Good thing I had savings, freelance work, and a weekly yoga class to teach.

Knowing COBRA ends March 1st, I looked for health coverage during open enrollment. **And I learned the Affordable Care Act is not very affordable!**Premiums for plans with $5000 - $10,000 deductibles (and 80/20 co-pays) were over $700 per month. What an eye opening experience! Looking at all the available plans made me wonder if purchasing insurance through Tunxis would be a better deal. So I contacted the college. Maria Drwiega in payroll was very helpful and provided info on plans and costs. The BCBS POE coverage I had on COBRA would cost about the same as the high deductible polices on the open market - but without the high deductibles! My monthly insurance cost will be about $730 per month. Premiums are not deducted from pay, but paid by the employee. I will have to go on COBRA between semesters at a slightly higher cost. But keeping the same insurance is worth it.

So fellow adjuncts - if you find yourself needing health insurance, do yourself a favor and contact your college. As adjuncts, we are entitled to purchase group health insurance through the state. And parents, you can also insure your dependents. When you compare what you get as a state employee to what an individual can purchase on the open market, it's a no brainer! (In my opinion.)

For many, 2016 was a tough year. I'm not one for whining and complaining. I believe in taking action. I hope you will get involved this year and support your union. We need your input and action more than ever before. Try to attend Higher Ed day at the State Capitol this Thursday, January 26. Many colleges are sponsoring buses. There will be a rally at noon with other events throughout the day. Click here for more info.

There's no better time than now to make your choices heard! Make it a great semester and be the change you wish to see.

Robyn Brooks

4Cs VP Part Timers

Governor's Budget Address

February 10, 2017

Wednesday, the Governor presented his proposed FY 2018-19 state budget.

It contains a 4% cut to the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU).
It assumes labor savings totaling $700 million in FY 2018 and $867.6 million in FY 2019. (These are expected savings in healthcare and pension benefits that HAVE NOT been agreed to by SEBAC.)
It states that if labor savings are not achieved, it assumes the savings in layoffs, which "equates to approximately 4,200 full-time positions and associated fringe benefits," including 430 positions at CSCU (Community Colleges, Connecticut State University, Charter Oak State College, and the Board of Regents).

These proposals are a starting point for months of debate. Keep in the mind that the composition of the General Assembly is more balanced than it has been for many years, which means we can expect lively debates.

Please read the following for more information:

There are many actions being planned, but we strongly encourage you to attend our Lobby Day on Friday, March 31. Please save the date and plan to attend. We need a large turnout to tell our legislators that these proposals are unacceptable. More information to come!

Appropriations Hears Testimony from CSCU Leaders, Students

February 17, 2017

On Wednesday, the Appropriations Committee heard testimony on the Governor's budget recommendations for CSCU and other higher education.

President Ojakian testified mid-afternoon (written testimony here). The most important statement he made was that if the Governor's budget was accepted and SEBAC did not produce savings, the CSCU would be looking at a 14% budget cut and would have to consider "fiscal exigency," basically declaring bankruptcy. To be clear, he was not recommending a path to fiscal exigency, but he was very clear that the system requires restructuring to become fiscally stable.

President Ojakian's testimony and question and answers with the Appropriations Committee can be viewed here (his testimony begins at 2:29:45).

For more information on the impact of the higher education recommendations, please read the following articles:

College leaders warn proposed cuts would have big consequences (CT Mirror)
UConn, CSCU Leaders, Students Voice Concerns to Proposed Budget Cuts (Hartford Courant)

This is only the beginning of budget discussions in Hartford. To influence these decisions, it is crucial that everyone get involved. Call your legislators. Visit their office hours in district to talk about higher educaion. And attend our Lobby Day on Friday, March 31!

FAC Responds to CSCU Code of Conduct

February 27, 2017

Earlier this semester, the BOR released a draft "Code of Conduct" and opened a comment period for faculty and staff at the Community Colleges, Connecticut State University and Charter Oak State College.

The Faculty Advisory Committee discussed the draft and approved a response, found here.

Public comment is open through February 23rd to CSCUFeedback@ct.edu.

"Day of Hire" Pension Rule

March 9, 2017

In order to comply with IRS regulations, new higher education and education employees will need to choose their pension plan no later than their date of hire beginning on March 31, 2017.

It is critical, given the unfortunately short time frame for an employee to make such a crucial life decision, that very short, readable, and objective summaries of the key features of the different plan choices (SERS, TRS, ARP, and Hybrid) be available to people.

The 4Cs will be working to ensure that new hires after March 31 receive advance notice of their pension options with their offer letters.

State Budget Updates

May 17, 2017

Recent budget scenarios have proposed cuts for the Community Colleges ranging from $19-$90 million. Cuts of this magnitude go well beyond the savings targets that have been planned for the Board of Regents. There has even been a recent communication from President Ojakian that states they may have to revisit drastic proposals such as closing a campus.

We are asking all of our members to contact their legislators and let them know how these cuts will negatively impact our Community Colleges. If you fill in your home address at http://the4cs.seiu.org/page/speakout/state-budget, the 4Cs has provided a draft email (editable) that can be sent directly to your legislators.

Please take action and contact your legislators to ask them to oppose these proposed cuts!

Action to Defend Collective Bargaining Rights

July 9, 2017

During the last hours of the 2017 regular legislative session, Republicans threatened collective bargaining rights for all state employees. They have also voiced their opposition to the SEBAC Agreement, arguing that it doesn't go far enough.

Many of the same individuals will be holding a public budget forum on Tuesday, July 11th at 2 PM in Room 2E of the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.

The 4Cs is encouraging our members to come to the State Capitol on Tuesday afternoon to show our solidarity and support for collective bargaining.

If you are interested in participating, please email ellen@the4cs.org for more details.

A Message from President Bonina

July 18, 2017

Thank you to everyone who participated in the vote on the 4Cs and SEBAC Tentative Agreements.

All three tentative agreements - SEBAC, 4Cs full-time CBA, and 4Cs part-time CBA - were overwhelmingly approved by you. Please see the attached for our CBA results.

In addition, all Connecticut SEBAC voting unit members unanimously approved the SEBAC tentative agreement. Please see the SEBAC press release here.

The support of these agreements by our members sends an important message to every Connecticut citizen. Together, we have stated loud and clear that we are willing to do our part to assure Connecticut Community Colleges continue to deliver affordable, high quality education and excellent services into the future. This is what we do, and we do it extremely well!

Your support for these agreements is a reflection of how much 4Cs members care about protecting Connecticut Community Colleges, our students, and our communities.

Thank you for your dedication and sacrifice.

In solidarity,

Bryan R. Bonina, President

Congress of CT Community Colleges

Contract Implementation

August 31, 2017

As we start to implement the recent changes made to our Collective Bargaining Agreement, there have been a number of questions raised, which are answered below.

Has there been any guidance provided on taking our three furlough days?

Furlough days only affect full-time members; less than 20 hour/week part-time Educational Assistants and part-time lecturers are not required to take furlough days.
Furlough days are being covered by contract funds so there should be no loss of pay.
Furlough days should be scheduled by mutual agreement between the member and his/her supervisor.
For teaching faculty, the furlough days should be taken during the academic year.

There is new language on tuition waivers extending the "value of the waiver" to the CSUs; how will this work? Will it be retroactive to July 1, 2016?

The waiver is available with the fall 2017 semester, but we do not have an answer to whether it will be retroactive. For the current semester, contact the HR office at campus where the course(s) will be taken for information on how to obtain the waiver.

The Seniority (Part-Time Lecturer's Pool or PTL) Pool is becoming automatic with 18 credits taught at one college and at least one positive evaluation. I am already in the pool, but have never been evaluated; will I remain in the pool?

Yes, all of the members currently in the pool will remain in the pool (unless you have turned down courses for five semesters in row without good cause).

When will the PTL Pool become automatic?

You should continue to apply for the pool until the procedures are determined. The sign up form is online. We will keep you updated when we have more information.

If you have a question that is not listed, please feel free to email us.

Labor Day

August 31, 2017

For those of us in higher education, Labor Day marks the beginning of the semester. Labor Day often represents a long weekend where we can catch our breath after a hectic first week of the semester.

As Labor Day approaches this year, we hope you take a moment to reflect on why it's crucial to maintain a strong union at the community colleges. Whether it's working with the Administration to make sure that Students First really puts students first or maintaining our rights and benefits by not letting someone unilaterally change them, working together gives us a stronger voice than we would have individually.

Please note that you are also invited and encouraged to attend a joint Labor Day event.

The Legal Case that Threatens Unions; How Unions are Rising to the Challenge

September 7, 2017

The Threat

Within the next year, the Supreme Court is likely to hear and rule on the latest threat to workers: Janus v. AFSCME Council 31. This case has the potential to make Right to Work law in all 50 states.

This case would likely overturn Abood v. Detroit, where the Supreme Court affirmed that it was constitutional for public sector unions to collect fair share fees (agency fees in CT) from employees who choose not to join a union, but who the union is legally required to represent in negotiations with the employer.

As all public employees enjoy the benefits, job security, and other protections the union negotiates, it is only fair that all employees contribute to the cost of securing those benefits and protections. Without this security, the union's collective power can be seriously weakened as members can be divided when a "free rider" effect erodes the solidarity encouraged by a "fair share" approach.

Established in 1968 to destroy public and private sector unionism, this National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation (NRTWLDF) has strong ties to the Koch network and other corporate special interests. The Janus case is their latest effort to use the judiciary to weaken the labor movement. In addition to Janus, there are six other ongoing cases brought by public sector workers with free legal assistance from the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation.

The Janus case is on track for the Supreme Court to decide whether to hear it at its first conference of the term beginning in the fall of 2017. If four justice agree, the Supreme Court could announce soon after its September 25, 2017 conference that it will hear the case.

Make no mistake that this is an attempt to starve unions of resources and power.

Together We Rise

To Build our 21st Century Union, SEIU has recently launched Together We Rise, an historic union-wide member outreach effort to recommit hundreds of thousands of SEIU members to stick together, to inspire leaders to organize and mobilize on an unprecedented scale, and to transform our union to a thriving, highly interconnected 21st century SEIU.

Some of the key elements of this effort is enhancing digital engagement, developing member organizers, and improving technology.

The 4Cs will be incorporating this SEIU initiative to fortify, mobilize, and transform our local!

Furlough Day Guidelines

September 15, 2017

The 4Cs has heard from many people through our above poll, chapter meetings, and individual emails, and furlough days remains the top question about our contract implementation for full-timers (note: part-time employees are not required to take furlough days).

Taking furlough days is similar to taking a personal leave day. You can take them whenever you want with the prior approval of your supervisor. Also, like a personal leave day, there is nothing preventing someone from taking a half furlough day.

For faculty, it is encouraged that the furlough day does not interrupt the students' scheduled classes; however, if you are able to obtain class coverage (without costs to the college) or schedule another activity for the students, AND you have the prior approval of your supervisor, there is nothing preventing you from taking that as a furlough day. For example, if you assigned a take home examination in lieu of class and your department chair approved, it would be acceptable to take a furlough day.

Colleges cannot mandate a furlough day. For staff, that means they cannot require you to take the day after Thanksgiving if the college is normally open. For faculty, it means that the college cannot mandate that one of the eight "college days" is a faculty furlough day.

Because the furlough days are being charged to the 4Cs grievance/equity contract account, you will not see a reduction in pay.

State Budget

September 15, 2017

It's mid-September and Connecticut is still without a state budget agreement. However, we may see a budget deal today.

The Finance Committee is scheduled to meet at 11:30 am, followed by a caucus, to consider revenue options. According to many news outlets, they are considering tax hikes on hospitals, cigarettes and tobacco products, and possibly cell phones (www.ctmirror.org).

As the budget is still being written, we have no way of knowing whether we support or oppose it yet. However, it is possible that the House could take up the budget later this evening.

Please check your personal email accounts later today. As we receive more information about the budget, we may be asking you to take action by calling or writing your legislators.

BOR Revised Code of Conduct

September 19, 2017

The BOR is seeking feedback on its revised draft Code of Conduct through September 29. Please read the document here, and you can provide feedback in writing to CSCUFeedback@ct.edu.

We encourage you to read the document and be informed as the BOR intends the Code of Conduct to serve the following purposes:

Provide the basic expectations for workplace behavior for all faculty, administrators, staff, volunteers, independent contractors and members of the Board of Regents for Higher Education;
State the Board of Regents commitment to the highest standards of integrity in its institutions and its operations; and
Remind faculty, administrators, and staff of the policies, regulations and laws with which they are required to comply.

State Budget Hurts Colleges & Collective Bargaining; Governor Pledges to Veto

September 19, 2017

The budget passed by the House and Senate over the weekend hurts our students and our colleges. In President Ojakian's words, "Early Saturday morning the Connecticut General Assembly passed a budget that intends to cut approximately $93M from the CSCU system over the next two years. Funding for developmental education is completely eliminated, while the Roberta Willis scholarship fund is phased out...This amounts to an unprecedented denial of access and support to public higher education students in Connecticut." Read the full statement here.

The budget would also dismantle our fundamental collective bargaining rights by:

Removing funding for cost-of-living increases for retired state employees;
Unilaterally changing how pensions are calculated-- even for years already worked, and for all years through 2027;
And increasing pension contributions for ALL state employees to 7%.

If this budget were passed into law, SEBAC would be forced to litigate and defend our contractual and contract rights.

The Governor has pledged to veto the budget, but the Yankee Institute is encouraging people to contact the Governor and ask him to sign the budget.

We are asking you to do two things:

Please contact your legislators to demand restoration of funding to the Community Colleges and the Willis Scholarship. You can locate your legislators and view our template email by visiting this link.
Please email Governor Malloy to ask him to stand by his pledge to veto this budget and to restore funding for CSCU and the Willis Scholarship in the budget compromise. You can email him here.

We will also be joining with other higher education unions in an action at the Appropriations Committee on Friday afternoon between 1-3pm. The details are still being worked out, but if you are interested in learning more, please email Ellen and she will keep you informed.

"Fail the Budget" Press Conference and Protest

September 26, 2017

On Wednesday, September 27, CSU faculty, staff, and students will hold a a press conference on the recent budget proposal that guts public higher education funding. The proposal would cut approximately $93 million from CSCU and eliminate the Robert Willis Scholarship Fund. Both of these actions could make the cost of higher education too great for students.

The press conference will be held at the Legislative Office Building, Room 1A, 300 Capitol Ave., Hartford at 11am. Following the press conference, faculty in full academic regalia will deliver "report cards" to legislators. Read more here.

The 4Cs is urging our members to take action. Attend the press conference and/or protest. Write op-eds. Contact your legislators (here).

The Community Colleges are being targeted. Take this recent quote:

State Rep. Terrie Wood, R-Norwalk, State Rep. Gail Lavielle, R-Wilton, and State Rep. Fred Wilms, R-Norwalk, claimed NCC would not see any impact from the budget cuts to community colleges...

"One of the reasons community colleges were cut, and there was a decision most definitely, is there are four community colleges within 12 miles of Hartford," Wood said. "We are asking one of those to be closed... (article here)

We know it is short notice, but we need members to attend tomorrow and many others to support tomorrow's action by writing letters and contacting legislators.

Let us know if you'll be joining us tomorrow!

Healthcare Changes as of 10/1

October 12, 2017

As part of the SEBAC Agreement, as of Oct. 1, 2017, some changes have been implemented to the state's available health plans.

For a comprehensive explanation of what's new, please visit the State Comptroller's website.

Here is a look at how you can avoid being hit hard in the pocket book by these Health Plan changes.

Avoid costs for lab work and imaging services in Connecticut: Pay nothing when you see an in-network preferred provider for outpatient lab work, diagnostic x-rays and/or high-cost imaging services like MRIs, CT and PET scans. For tests performed at Non-Preferred in-network labs or imaging centers, you'll pay 20% of the cost. If you are in the POS Plan, you'll pay 40% of the cost for out-of-network tests. To find a Preferred provider, visit www.Athem.com/statect or www.welcometouhc.com/stateofct.
Avoid costs for primary care physicians and certain specialists in Connecticut. Pay nothing when you see an in-network preferred primary care physician (PCP) or specialist for one or more of ten medical specialties (including OB/GYN, cardiology, gastroenterology). The current $15 copay will be waived when you see a State of Connecticut "preferred provider." To find a Preferred Provider, visit www.Anthem.com/statect or www.oxhp.com/stateofct.
The list of covered drugs - or "formulary" - for the prescription drug plan will change. If one or more of your current prescriptions will be affected by this change, you should have received a letter from CVS/Caremark in September with information on how to switch to a therapeutically equivalent drug.
Prescription drug tiers for non-HEP drugs. The current generic drug copay will be split into two tiers: Preferred generic and Non-Preferred generic. New copays: Preferred generic: $5; Non-Preferred generic: $10; Preferred brand name: $25; Non-Preferred brand name: $40; no change to HEP copays.
Emergency Room Copay for non-emergencies will cost $250. In certain circumstances, including actual emergencies or you're admitted to the hospital, your copay will be waived. Find the ER Copay Waiver Form here.

Spending Cap Concerns for the State Budget

October 12, 2017

Connecticut Voices for Children issued a policy brief on the state's spending cap.

"The spending cap has become a central issue in the current bipartisan budget negotiations. While a spending cap can be vital for preventing runaway spending, an overly restrictive cap would limit the strategic investments necessary for long-term prosperity. Unfortunately, proposed changes to the spending cap would have that effect, limiting the state's ability to meet vital needs today or key priorities tomorrow."

Further, the organization urges everyone "to contact legislative leadership today and call for a spending cap driven by a commitment to meeting vital needs, strengthening our cities and towns, and spurring equitable economic growth."

You can find your legislators and their contact information here.

Read more about these proposed changes in our new policy brief at ctvoices.org/spendingcap.

Contract Implementation: Professional Development & Emergency Sick Leave Bank Guidelines

November 29, 2017

Additional information is available now for two on the recent contract changes: Professional Development funds and the Emergency Sick Leave Bank.

Professional Development Funds for 2017-18

Below please find a table that shows the amount allocated for each college for 4Cs members' professional development.

College 4Cs 2016-17 4Cs 2017-18 4Cs Part-Time 17-18

Asnuntuck $28,650 $66,801 $1,583

Capital $29,308 $85,552 $1,825

Gateway $38,858 $123,054 $6,026

Housatonic $55,653 $175,791 $2,996

Manchester $64,545 $212,121 $2,066

Middlesex $29,638 $99,615 $758

Naugatuck $41,822 $123,054 $5,303

NWCC $21,734 $76,176 $310

Norwalk $47,091 $121,882 $1,240

Quinebaug $27,004 $69,145 $413

Three Rivers $27,332 $76,176 $1,550

Tunxis $41,163 $123,054 $930

Total $452,798 $1,352,421 $25,000

Emergency Sick Leave Bank Guidelines

A sick leave bank is a brand new benefit that was negotiated into the 4Cs contract. For that reason, it took several months to determine how it would be implemented. Please see the attached guidelines here.

Everyone should note that:

On March 31st of each year of the agreement, all full-time members who have not contributed to the Emergency Sick Leave Bank (ESLB) shall have three of their accrued sick days assigned to the ESLB.
Bargaining unit members with a sick leave balance of 105 hours or more on March 31st will have these three days deducted immediately.
Bargaining unit members with less than 105 sick leave hours on March 31st, will have 1 day deducted quarterly.
New hires will have one day deducted in each of the 9th, 10th, and 11th-month accruals.

The donation of three days only occurs one time, but upon retirement, all members' sick days in excess of 240 shall be assigned to the ESLB.

Contract Implementation: Promotion, Tenure and Sabbatic Leave Dates

December 6, 2017

The current Collective Bargaining Agreement calls for members to notify the Administration of their intent to apply for Promotion by the last day of the semester (12/23/17 for Fall 2017). This was agreed to so that management has time over intersession to perform related photocopying and paperwork. Please note that this is for promotion only.

Members who will be applying for promotion, tenure, and/or sabbatic leave also have a new application deadline: the first day of the spring semester (1/16/18).

The 4Cs website contains many useful tools for those who will be applying for promotion and/or tenure, including copies of application forms, webinars, and sample applications for promotion. Please visit here for more information.

SEBAC Implementation Update: Medicare Advantage

December 6, 2017

For those on Medicare, the transition to Medicare Advantage will take place on January 1, 2018. To answer questions, United Healthcare has prepared information, which can be viewed here. If you are a retiree and are unable to attend an informational session, please make sure to review their Powerpoint Presentation.

Contract Implementation: Composition of the Promotion Committee & Professional Development Grants

December 12, 2017

Promotion Committee Composition

A few weeks ago, we announced that an anomaly had been noticed in the contract implementation on the issue of the composition of the Promotion Committee. In notes from negotiations, it was agreed to around the table that the Promotion Committee makeup would include two managers; as there would be administrators on the Promotion Committee, it would eliminate the Dean level of review. However, the issue of the Promotion Committee composition was never incorporated into the three Tentative Agreements that were signed (here).

President Bonina asked our Attorney to review this matter. Attorney Chester's letter can be read here.

Professional Development Grants

In the past, the 4Cs contract contained different "pots" of money for specific purposes. During contract negotiations, it was agreed that:

Grievance/equity accounts remain the same.
1% of payroll to fund promotions and merit awards.
1.35% of payroll for professional development.
Other accounts become obligations of the BOR.
26 sabbatical leaves (an increase of about 10 per year)
Remaining funds dispersed to members as "professional development grants".

Members have inquired as to when the professional development grants would be released. We do not have an exact date yet for the professional development grants, but we expect that they will be awarded early in 2018. We will keep you updated.

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