top
|
DELEGATE
ASSEMBLY
Resolutions
|
|
go to DA Resolutions for:
September
28, 2000
November
30, 2000
February
22, 2001
March 22,
2001
June 14, 2001
October 25,
2001
November
29, 2001
December 20, 2001
February 28, 2002
March 21, 2002
April 25, 2002
May
30, 2002
September 19, 2002
November 21, 2002
December 19, 2002
March 27, 2003
June 19, 2003
September 25, 2003
October 30,
2003
February 26, 2004
June 17, 2004
September 30, 2004
October
28, 2004
December 16, 2004
January 27, 2005
March 31, 2005
May 26, 2005
December 15, 2005
October 26,
2006
November 30, 2006
December 21, 2006
June 21, 2007
November 15, 2007
September 25, 2008
March 19, 2009
January 28, 2010
Delegate Assembly Resolutions
January 28, 2010
RESOLUTION IN OPPOSITION TO
GOVERNOR PATERSON’S PROPOSED
PUBLIC HIGHER EDUCATION EMPOWER-
MENT AND INNOVATION ACT
Printer Friendly Version (PDF)
Whereas, Governor Paterson’s Executive Budget
proposal for FY 2010-2011 calls not only for another round of disproportionate
cuts to CUNY—$84.4 million cut to CUNY’s 11 senior colleges and $285 cut per
full-time-equivalent student to CUNY’s six community colleges—but also for “the
most significant overhaul of New York’s public higher education system in a
generation;” and
Whereas, this overhaul, the “Public
Higher Education Empowerment and Innovation Act,” calls for the following
approach to tuition and State support:
authorization of the
Boards of Trustees to increase tuition annually up to a cap
of two and one-half times the five-year average of the Higher
Education Price Index [HEPI],
authorization of Board of Trustees to implement differential tuition
rates by campus and by program, differentials that would not
be subject to the HEPI cap; and
Whereas, by allowing CUNY to set its
own tuition levels, free from legislative oversight and public accountability,
making zero commitment to match any tuition increases with additional State
dollars, and providing no guarantee that ever-escalating tuition would not be
used to replace existing State support, the governor’s proposal essentially
takes the public out of public higher education; and
Whereas, under this formula, CUNY
could raise tuition up to ten percent this year, rather than the two percent
requested, and could go on raising tuition by a similar amount every year; and
Whereas, tuition increases at this
level, far from being “rational,” would place the University out of reach for
those who cannot afford the constantly rising tuition, and would jeopardize a
tradition of access to CUNY that spans three centuries and—
Whereas, differential tuition means
differential access—poorer students could be shut out of certain majors, thereby
exacerbating existing and persistent inequalities of race, gender and class;
and
Whereas, differential tuition also
poses a threat to a comprehensive liberal arts education and to student choice,
as it may force students to decide on a program based solely on cost, as it
could eliminate the opportunity for exploration of courses in multiple
departments, and as it could make changing one’s major logistically untenable;
and
Whereas, the proposal represents a
new, more insidious phase of the slow-motion privatization of CUNY that has been
occurring ever since free tuition was ended in 1975: the proposal would further
shift the cost of college onto the backs of individual students and their
families, making it a private rather than a publicly shared expense; and the
decisions about the cost increases would be removed from public accountability
and placed in the hands of a Board of Trustees that is unelected and not
accountable to the public; and
Whereas, other aspects of the Act
include further privatizing proposals, such as the provision—chiefly relevant to
SUNY—that provides for the selling off of public land owned by the universities
for private, for-profit enterprises; and
Whereas, the “Public Higher Education
Empowerment and Innovation Act” fundamentally misunderstands the nature of
public higher education: it is a public good, not a private commodity; its
benefit is to the whole society, not just to the individual; therefore be it
Resolved, that while the PSC believes
that some minor elements of the governor’s proposal—such as economies of
purchasing—may be beneficial for the public universities, the Public Higher
Education Empowerment and Innovation Act is, essentially—and dangerously—an
attempt to privatize public higher education; and be it further
Resolved, that the PSC call on the
New York State Legislature to reject the governor’s proposed budget cuts for
CUNY, to support the PSC’s proposal to the Legislature to make a modest start
this year on restoration of funds cut in the past two years, to reject the
central, privatizing structure of the Public Higher Education Empowerment and
Innovation Act, and to accept instead the PSC’s proposal to start now on a
long-term strategy for rational investment by the State in its public
university systems.
Delegate Assembly Resolutions
March 19, 2009
The PSC Opposes
Layoffs of Adjuncts
And Other Reductions of Our Working Conditions
and Students’ Learning Conditions
Whereas, in this
time of growing economic crisis, public higher education is more important than
ever; enrollment at CUNY is soaring, and the Professional Staff Congress has
mounted the largest legislative campaign in its history to fight back against
budget cuts and secure a fair share of federal stimulus funding; and
Whereas, CUNY
management assured faculty, staff and students that core academic programs would
not suffer because of the State’s midyear budget cuts, and—thanks in part to the
strength of the PSC’s advocacy throughout the year—a further 10 percent cut in
State funding to community colleges was turned back; and
Whereas, the CUNY
budget for the current semester, Spring 2009, should therefore not include any
cuts in academic programs or services; and
Whereas, despite the
steady-state funding this spring for academic programs, many CUNY campuses have
implemented budget cuts that directly harm our members and undermine the quality
of teaching and research at CUNY—above all, by laying off adjunct faculty; and
Whereas, Brooklyn
College, John Jay College and other colleges have laid off long-serving
adjuncts, claiming that the reason is budgetary; and
Whereas, other
colleges—including York and Baruch—have announced reductions in travel money to
support faculty research; some colleges—including CCNY, Kingsborough Community
College, Borough of Manhattan Community College and Queens—have significantly
increased class size; some colleges—including BMCC and Queensborough Community
College—have reduced staffing of tutors in College Assistant titles; some
colleges—including LaGuardia Community College—have jeopardized the quality of
assistance students receive in registration because of a “pause” in hiring of
higher education officers; and some colleges—including BMCC and
Kingsborough—have placed new limitations, supposedly for budgetary reasons, on
annual leave for college laboratory technicians; therefore be it
Resolved that
“non-reappointments” of adjuncts for budgetary reasons are layoffs; and be it
further
Resolved that the
PSC opposes and will continue to work against such layoffs, using all available
resources to prevent them, including through raising the issue with CUNY
management both centrally and on the campuses, demanding documentation of the
layoffs, and applying contractual and collective pressure as required; and be it
further
Resolved that the
PSC opposes and will seek to prevent all reductions in the working conditions of
our members and the learning conditions of our students—especially reductions
imposed this spring, while the 2009-10 budget is still unresolved; and be it
further
Resolved that the
PSC opposes and will seek to prevent “pre-emptive” budget cuts taken this spring
by colleges, apparently in anticipation of budget cuts in FY 2009-10; and be it
further
Resolved that as the PSC
fights layoffs and the further degradation of our working conditions, the union
will continue to fight with every resource at our command for State and City
budgets that include full funding of CUNY, achieved through increased public
money, not increased private tuition; such funding is well within reach for New
York City and State, with a combination of federal stimulus funds and a
restoration of a fair personal income tax system.
----------------------------
Resolution In Support of PSC-CUNY
Research Awards
Submitted by Barbara Bowen, President;
Steve London, First Vice President;
Arthurine DeSola, Secretary;
and Mike Fabricant, Treasurer
Whereas, for
36 years, the PSC-CUNY Research Awards program has issued thousands of
research awards that have greatly contributed to the research activity
of CUNY’s instructional staff at all levels; and
Whereas, the
PSC membership has expressed overwhelming support for the PSC-CUNY
Research Awards Program and its institutional processes for awarding
grants; and
Whereas, the
University Committee for Research Awards has made thousands of high
quality peer-reviewed research grants; and
Whereas, PSC-CUNY
Research Awards are a negotiated benefit; and
Whereas,
Article 25.2(a) specifies “Eligibility” for PSC-CUNY Research Awards;
and
Whereas,
Article 25.2 (b) specifies the composition and authority of the
University Committee on Research Awards (UCRA) and states in part, “The
Chancellor shall appoint a faculty committee....Such committee shall be
constituted as the University Committee on Research Awards, charged with
the responsibility to make, in its discretion, research grants to
individual instructional staff members of The City University of New
York...;” and
Whereas,
Article 25.2 (c) specifies that the (UCRA) “...shall be responsible for
establishing guidelines for the application and approval of research
awards...;” and
Whereas,
Vice-Chancellor Gillian Small empanelled a Task Force to recommend
changes in the PSC-CUNY Research Awards; and
Whereas,
Vice-Chancellor Small circulated to the Task Force “working draft”
proposals that would, if implemented, violate contractually protected
faculty governance of the PSC-CUNY Research Award program and possibly
other contractually protected rights; and
Whereas, the
UFS Research Committee and the University Committee on Research Awards
have issued a March 12, 2009 “Joint Resolution”: 1) affirming the
contractual basis of the PSC-CUNY Research Grants, 2) rejecting the
restructuring proposals embodied in the “working draft” report, and 3)
demanding that the Task Force be disbanded and that suggested changes in
the PSC-CUNY Research Awards be submitted to the University Committee on
Research Awards; and
Whereas, the
Task Force has not yet issued any recommendations, and CUNY management
has not made any demands to change contractual language; therefore be it
Resolved,
the PSC rejects the recommendations circulated in the “working draft”
proposals; and be it further
Resolved,
the PSC rejects this and any and all attempts to unilaterally change the
contract; and be it further
Resolved,
the PSC demands CUNY management to submit any recommended changes to the
PSC-CUNY Research Awards to the University Committee on Research Awards
for its consideration; and be it further
Resolved,
the PSC will enforce the contractual rights of the University Committee
on Research Awards; and be it further
Resolved,
the PSC will enforce the contractually defined rights of the membership
to PSC-CUNY Research Awards; and be it further
Resolved, the PSC
stands for strengthening the PSC-CUNY Research Awards through an
infusion of more funds.
Delegate Assembly Resolutions
September 25, 2008
Resolution to Support Striking BCTGM Local 50 workers at Stella D’Oro
Whereas, Stella D’Oro Biscuit
Co. is a historic New York baked goods company, whose Bronx factory
employs over 135 members of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers
and Grain Millers International Union Local 50; and
Whereas,
when the union contract for the Stella D’Oro workers in BCTGW Local 50
expired this summer, the new owners, private equity company Brynwood
Partners, demanded huge concessions, including eliminating holidays,
vacation and sick pay, requiring large healthcare premiums, and reducing
wages each year throughout the contact period; and
Whereas, on
August 13, 2008, the members of BCTGM Local 50 went on strike in
response to the unreasonable demands of Brynwood Partners and their
refusal to engage in good faith bargaining; and
Whereas,
Brynwood Partners and its managing partner Henk Hartong III, chairman of
Stella D’Oro, are attempting to bust the union that has represented
Stella D’Oro workers for more than forty years; and
Whereas, the
PSC supports the right of all workers to organize and bargain
collectively with their employers;
Resolved,
that the PSC support, through organizing, publicity and monetary
support, the strike of BCTGM Local 50 workers at Stella D’Oro; and
Resolved, that the
PSC call for Stella D’Oro management to return to the table and bargain
with BCTGM Local 50 in good faith; and
Resolved, that the
PSC encourage its members and CUNY students to attend a rally that BCTGM
Local 50 will soon be calling.
Delegate Assembly Resolutions
November 15, 2007
RESOLUTION ON MANAGEMENT
SALARY INCREASES
WHILE FACULTY AND STAFF SALARIES REMAIN
UNCOMPETITIVE NATIONALLY
Whereas on September
24, 2007, five days after the expiration date of the PSC-CUNY contract had
passed without an economic offer from CUNY management to the PSC, the CUNY Board
of Trustees voted to award large salary increases to top management; and
Whereas the average
salaries of CUNY faculty and staff are below nationally competitive levels, with
some salary levels having lost up to 50% of their real-dollar value since the
early 1970s, when many of the current generation of faculty were hired; and
Whereas Frederick
Schaffer, senior vice chancellor for legal affairs, received an increase of
$21,000, bringing his annual salary to $241,000, plus a bonus of $5,000—an
increase of 11.8% for this year; and
Whereas Ernesto
Malave, vice chancellor for budget and finance, received an increase of $21,671,
bringing his annual salary to $212,000—an increase of 11.4% this year; and
Whereas Allan Dobrin,
executive vice chancellor and chief operating officer, received an increase of
$20,029, bringing his annual salary to $263,664, plus a bonus of $5,000; and
Whereas Iris
Weinshall, new vice chancellor for facilities planning, received an increase of
$20,000, bringing her annual salary to $210,000 for this year; and
Whereas Jay
Hershenson, senior vice chancellor for university relations, received an
increase of $11,000, bringing his annual salary to $281,000, plus a bonus of
$5,000; and
Whereas Selma Botman,
executive vice chair and university provost, received an increase of $13,166,
bringing her annual salary to $276,501 for this year; and
Whereas Garrie
Moore, vice chancellor for budget and finance, received an increase of $12,600,
bringing his annual salary to $192,600, plus a bonus of $5,000; and
Whereas Gloriana
Waters, interim vice chancellor for faculty and staff relations, received a
bonus of $5,000 for this year; and
Whereas Eduardo
Martí, president of Queensborough Community College, received an increase of
$8,802, bringing his annual salary to $204,393, plus a bonus of $5,000 for this
year; and
Whereas Marcia Keizs,
president of York College, received an increase of $6,950, bringing her annual
salary to $205,965, plus a bonus of $5,000 for this year; and
Whereas Jeremy
Travis, president of John Jay College, received an increase of $10,356, bringing
his annual salary to $218,104, plus a bonus of $5,000 for this year; and
Whereas Gail Mellow,
president of LaGuardia Community College, received an increase of $10,350,
bringing her annual salary to $200,350 for this year; and
Whereas Christoph
Kimmich, president of Brooklyn College, received an increase of $10,080,
bringing his annual salary to $234,050 for this year; and
Whereas Tomás
Morales, president of College of Staten Island, received an increase of $10,000,
bringing his annual salary to $230,000 for this year; and
Whereas Kathleen
Waldron, president of Baruch College, received an increase of $10,735, bringing
her annual salary to $249,285 for this year; and
Whereas Antonio
Pérez, president of Borough of Manhattan Community College, received an increase
of $9,004, bringing his annual salary to $204,500, plus a bonus of $5,000 for
this year; and
Whereas Ricardo
Fernández, president of Lehman College, received an increase of $9,405, bringing
his annual salary to $218,405 for this year; and
Whereas Edison
Jackson, president of Medgar Evers College, received an increase of $9,180,
bringing his annual salary to $213,180 for this year; and
Whereas James L.
Muyskens, president of Queens College, received an increase of $9,767, bringing
his annual salary to $226,803 for this year; and
Whereas Gregory
Williams, president of City College, received an increase of $8,753, bringing
his annual salary to $258,836 for this year; and
Whereas William
Kelly, president of the CUNY Graduate Center, received an increase of $8,743,
bringing his annual salary to $227,320 for this year; and
Whereas Jennifer
Raab, president of Hunter College, received an increase of $8,720, bringing her
annual salary to $226,720 for this year; and
Whereas Dolores
Fernández, president of Hostos Community College, received an increase of
$8,025, bringing her annual salary to $193,325 for this year; and
Whereas Russell
Hotzler, president of New York City College of Technology, received an increase
of $8,220, bringing his annual salary to $213,712 for this year; and
Whereas Regina
Peruggi, president of Kingsborough Community College, received an increase of
$6,895, bringing her annual salary to $203,895 for this year; and
Whereas Carolyn G.
Williams, president of Bronx Community College, received an increase of $6,828,
bringing her annual salary to $201,922 for this year; and
Whereas the salary
of Matthew Goldstein, chancellor, remains at $395,000, having increase by 63%
since September 2003, most recently increasing by $45,000 last September, and
whereas his total compensation—like the compensation of many of the other
managers who received raises—includes free luxury housing or housing allowance
and the use of a car and driver; therefore be it
Resolved that the PSC expects that CUNY management, with its professed
concern for offering competitive salaries, will make an economic offer to the
PSC that enables CUNY instructional staff salaries to become nationally
competitive; and be it further
Resolved that the PSC
calls on Chancellor Goldstein and the top managers who were awarded salary
increases this September and last September to decline those increases until
instructional staff salaries are restored to nationally competitive levels.
Delegate Assembly Resolutions
June 21,
2007
Resolution on BOYCOTT OF ISRAELI UNIVERSITIES
Passed
Whereas, on May 30, 2007, the University and College Union (UCU), which represents 120,000 college teachers in the United Kingdom, passed “Resolution 30: Boycott of Israeli academic institutions,” responding to a call from Palestinian trade unions to boycott all Israeli academic institutions and calling on the leadership of the UCU to “circulate the full text of the Palestinian boycott call to all branches . . . [and to] encourage members to consider the moral implications of existing and proposed links with Israeli academic institutions” as part of a resolution that “condemns the complicity of Israeli academia in the occupation”; and
Whereas, the national affiliates of the Professional Staff Congress/CUNY—the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the American Association of University Professors (AAUP)—have both issued statements opposing the planned UCU boycott; and
Whereas, the question of a boycott of Israeli academic institutions is of such importance to our membership and to the larger public whom our members serve that the PSC should not remain silent on the issue, even when our national affiliates have spoken; and
Whereas, among PSC members there is a spectrum of deeply-held and sometimes conflicting positions on the issue of Israel’s expansion into the post-1967 territories and of the role of the United States in supporting Israel’s foreign policy; and
Whereas, the timing of the UCU resolution and the urgency of responding does not allow the PSC to engage in the kind of broad-based, CUNY-wide discussion such a complex issue deserves—the kind that preceded and enabled the Delegate Assembly vote in 2003 on the US expansion of war into Iraq; and
Whereas, the PSC categorically opposes anti-Semitism, as it opposes all forms of racial, religious, ethnic, gender and other oppression; and
Whereas, the PSC vigorously supports academic freedom and defends the free and open exchange of ideas among scholars—the lifeblood of academic work; and
Whereas, the PSC recognizes the essential role of communication and collaboration among scholars in fostering both knowledge and justice, especially where political differences exist; and
Whereas, although boycotts have been employed historically to create political change by both the labor movement and some of the most profound movements for freedom and civil rights, a boycott of academic institutions impinges on precisely the free exchange of ideas that is essential for economic and social justice; and
Whereas, given the PSC’s deep adherence to the principle of academic freedom and to the value of scholarly communication, the union cannot consider supporting or remaining neutral on the issue of an academic boycott in the absence of overwhelming evidence that such a position is the will of our membership; therefore be it
Resolved, that the Professional Staff Congress/CUNY call on the members of the UCU, who will have a year to consider the proposed boycott, to reject the proposal; and that the PSC communicate this position to our members and affiliates.
back to TOP
Delegate Assembly Resolutions
December 21,
2006
Resolution on the
Proposed CUNY Policy on Acceptable Use of Computer Resources
Passed Unanimously
Whereas CUNY has proposed
a policy on
computer use that will apply to the members of the PSC
bargaining unit; and
Whereas the PSC met with CUNY management on two occasions to
consult on the proposed policy; and
Whereas the PSC demanded the right to bargain over certain
aspects of the proposed policy; and
Whereas CUNY refused to bargain with the PSC on those
aspects of the proposed policy; and
Whereas the proposed policy imposes liability on bargaining
unit members even if they are not at fault; and
Whereas the proposed policy is overbroad and invasive with
respect to members’ privacy rights; and
Whereas the proposed policy is insufficient in protecting
due process rights of members; and
Whereas the proposed policy is vague in protecting the PSC’s
right to communicate with and have confidential communications
with its members; and
Whereas the proposed policy violates the contractual rights
guaranteed in Articles 18, 21 and 30; and
Whereas the proposed policy will undermine the freedom of
expression and inquiry essential for academic freedom and CUNY’s
academic mission;
Whereas the proposed policy does not include language
asserting employee rights to use CUNY’s computer resources –
especially important in the case of adjuncts;
Therefore
Be It Resolved,
that the PSC Delegate Assembly calls on the CUNY Board of
Trustees to table this resolution until negotiations with the
PSC on relevant parts of the proposed policy are completed, and
further consultation with the PSC and other stakeholder groups
in the CUNY community result in an acceptable computer use
policy.
back to
TOP
Delegate Assembly Resolutions
November 30,
2006
Resolution
Opposing the Adoption of the Proposed CUNY “Procedures for
Handling Student Complaints about Faculty Conduct in Academic
Settings”
Passed Unanimously
Whereas CUNY already has many policies and procedures
allowing students to make formal complaints or appeals
concerning specific issues; and
Whereas these already adopted policies and procedures
specify the issue(s) about which students may make formal
complaints or appeals (e.g. grade appeals, discrimination,
disclosure of student records, academic integrity, sexual
harassment, violent behavior); and
Whereas the proposed student complaint procedures do not
refer to any specific faculty conduct, but speak only of
“complaints about treatment of students;” and
Whereas there is no antecedent policy to which these
proposed student complaint procedures are attached, including no
definitions of what conduct might fall within and outside the
scope of this set of procedures; and
Whereas these proposed student complaint procedures set no
standards for judging which faculty conduct is to be addressed
through these procedures; and
Whereas the proposed student complaint procedures apply to
“academic settings,” a term that is not defined and subject to
interpretation;and
Whereas the proposed student complaint procedures will
require a multi-level investigative and appeal process; and
Whereas the proposed student complaint procedures will
require department chairs (as the “Fact Finder”) to conduct an
investigation if a dispute persists, which shall include
“interview[ing] the complaining student, the faculty member and
other persons with relevant knowledge and information and shall
also consult with the chief student affairs officer…” and
issuing “a written report setting forth his or her findings and
recommendations…;” and
Whereas the proposed student complaint procedures set forth
no standards or guidelines upon which to base “findings” and
“recommendations;” and
Whereas the proposed student complaint procedures set forth
an “appeals procedure” and contemplates “subsequent action,”
again without appropriate standards or specific guidelines as to
what constitutes inappropriate conduct; and
Whereas all of these investigations, appeals processes and
the possible issuance of several written reports are all to
occur without any guarantee of confidentiality; and
Whereas CUNY has not demonstrated a need for implementing
such a set of student complaint procedures; and
Whereas CUNY students already have access to policies and
procedures to bring complaints against inappropriate faculty
conduct; and
Whereas the PSC is always willing to work with students to
address legitimate issues concerning inappropriate faculty
conduct; and
Whereas these student complaint procedures themselves will
become an invitation to politicize the classroom and intimidate
faculty and students; and
Whereas these student complaint procedures will themselves
become a catalyst for conflict and threaten academic freedom in
the classroom by fraying trust between students and teachers and
creating a climate of intimidation; and
Whereas it is in the best interests of the students, faculty
and the academic enterprise to uphold and protect academic
freedom in the classroom; now therefore
Be it
resolved, the PSC Delegate Assembly calls on the CUNY Board
of Trustees and the Chancellory to withdraw from consideration
the proposed “Procedures
for Handling Student Complaints about Faculty Conduct in
Academic Settings.”
back to
TOP
Delegate
Assembly Resolutions
October 26,
2006
Resolution on
Fiterman Hall
Whereas Fiterman Hall is heavily contaminated
with dioxin, lead, asbestos and WTC toxic substances, and is be taken down, and
Whereas
Fiterman Hall is located in a densely populated neighborhood with schools,
workplaces and residences, and
Whereas
CUNY and DASNY’s plans for decontamination and deconstruction of Fiterman are
matters of serious public concern, and
Whereas CUNY has not been forthcoming with
information about the decontamination and deconstruction process to date, and
the public has a right to this information, and
Whereas
Community Board #1 of lower Manhattan has passed a resolution calling on CUNY
and Dormitory Authority of the State of NY (DASNY) for “a full and transparent
public process that includes posting all current and historical sampling results
and demolition plans...”
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
The PSC demand that CUNY be held accountable
for:
-
A proactive, open, and
ongoing, participatory process with the public (including faculty, staff,
students, neighbors, and workers), including:
-
monthly
meetings with members of the public
-
timetables of decontamination events with prior notice of actions
-
data
related to materials found at the site
-
information about contractors and subcontractors and numbers to call
about problems
-
Safe
demolition practices, with protections for workers on site, faculty, staff,
students and residents,
-
Working
actively with EPA and New York City agencies on the oversight of the
decontamination and deconstruction process.
back to
TOP
Delegate
Assembly Resolutions
December 15, 2005
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF
TWU LOCAL 100
Whereas the members of TWU Local 100 move the
people whose labor makes New York a viable and productive city, and
Whereas the TWU is engaged in difficult
contract negotiations with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and
has been offered woefully inadequate terms and conditions of employment; and
Whereas the issues in these
negotiations-wages, working conditions, benefits, the tiering of the workforce,
and the rights of retirees-are fundamentally the same as the issues confronting
the PSC in its contract negotiations with CUNY; and
Whereas the outcome of the TWU/MTA
negotiations will have an impact on labor negotiations in the city as whole,
including the PSC’s current negotiations with CUNY, The City and the State; and
Whereas The MTA and the City have threatened
the TWU and its individual members with draconian penalties using court
injunctions and the NYS Taylor Law if the union upholds the principle of “no
contract, no work”; therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the PSC express its solidarity with TWU Local 100; and be it
further
RESOLVED, that the PSC urge its members to participate in any and all
support actions including, but not limited to, attendance at union rallies,
participation in TWU worksite picket lines, distribution of support literature,
and monetary contributions to TWU strike funds should such contributions prove
necessary; and be it further
RESOLVED, that this resolution be circulated to the TWU for its information,
and to the NYC Central Labor Council, NYSUT, and the AFT for similar action.
Passed by
the Delegate Assembly of the Professional Staff Congress, Dec. 15, 2005
Resolution in Support of NYU
Strikers
Whereas
graduate teaching assistants at NYU voted
overwhelmingly to be represented by UAW Local 2110, were recognized by the
University, and successfully
negotiated a first contract in 2002;
and
Whereas Following the NLRB’s ruling in the
Brown University case that graduate assistants are essentially students and not
employees, NYU President John Sexton unilaterally and arbitrarily withdrew
recognition and refused to bargain a second contract upon expiration of the
first contract in August 2005; and
Whereas NYU graduate assistants have been on
strike for five weeks seeking a renewal of recognition and the right to
collective bargaining; and
Whereas in retaliation and in contravention
of established labor law, President Sexton has threatened to withdraw stipends
of all those remaining on strike; and
Whereas this strike represents the cutting
edge of labor solidarity in the face of academic corporatization; and
Whereas a large number of NYU faculty and
faculty from a wide variety of other academic institutions and associations have
expressed support of graduate employees’ right to union representation; and
Whereas the PSC has a long-standing history
of commitment to the principles of the right to organize, the right to
collective bargaining and the right of graduate employees to union
representation; and
Whereas the PSC has committed itself to this
struggle and continues to actively and publicly support graduate student workers
at NYU and elsewhere; therefore be it
Resolved, that the PSC urge its members, both full and part-time classroom
instructors and non-teaching personnel, to pledge to refuse any new or
additional employment at NYU for the duration of the strike; and be it further
Resolved, that the PSC circulate this resolution for individuals to sign;
and be it further
Resolved, that signed pledges be forwarded to the appropriate departments at
NYU; and be it further
Resolved, that this resolution be forwarded to NYSUT and the AFT to be
circulated to other higher education locals for similar action.
Passed by the
Delegate Assembly of the Professional Staff Congress, Dec. 15, 2005
back to
TOP
Delegate Assembly Resolutions
May
26, 2005
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A REFERENDUM ON JOB ACTION
Whereas the Professional Staff Congress contract expired more than
two-and-a-half years ago, and CUNY faculty and professional staff have not had a
raise for four years; and
Whereas the membership and the leadership of the Professional Staff Congress
have tried in countless ways to reach a fair settlement: collective bargaining,
direct advocacy with the City and State, organized protest and demonstration,
informational picketing, leafleting, television advertisements, political
advocacy with elected officials, support by national and state affiliates,
informational campaigns in the workplace, and campaigns to generate calls,
e-mail and fax communication with the employer; and
Whereas after more than two years of bargaining and member action, the City
University of New York has failed to offer an acceptable contract: one that
provides real raises, a lasting solution to the Welfare Fund crisis, and other
essential gains in equity and due process; and
Whereas the failure of CUNY management to agree to a fair contract
ultimately displays contempt for CUNY students: no amount of publicity about
CUNY’s recent “renaissance” can make up for uncompetitive salaries, shrinking
benefits and substandard working conditions—the education of our students is
jeopardized if the University fails to support the academic staff on whose work
it depends; and
Whereas the PSC won its first contract, in 1973, only after taking a
referendum on a strike, and the United Federation of Teachers won its 2002
contract after voting to authorize a future referendum on a strike; therefore be
it
Resolved, that
the Professional Staff Congress will make every effort to reach a fair contract
settlement without a job action; and be it further
Resolved, that
the Professional Staff Congress will continue to work throughout the summer to
achieve a fair settlement – participating in good faith in collective
bargaining, exploring options for mediation and arbitration, organizing protests
by members, conducting a public relations campaign, working toward coalitions
with other unions, strengthening member-to-member organizing; and be it further
Resolved, that if
the City University of New York fails to agree to a fair contract with the PSC
by September 1, 2005, the Executive Council of the PSC will have the authority
to determine whether and when to conduct a referendum, either by campus or
union-wide, on the question of whether the PSC Executive Council should
authorize a job action; and further be it
Resolved, that
the PSC Executive Council will not authorize a job action unless the majority of
votes cast in the referendum, conducted by secret ballot by the American
Arbitration Association or similar neutral organization, are in favor.
back to
TOP
Delegate
Assembly Resolutions
March 31, 2005
UNION DEFENSE
FUND
The following proposal
was passed by the PSC Delegate Assembly on March 31.
The Executive Council
proposes that the PSC create a Union Defense Fund, through voluntary
contributions, in order to increase the union’s capacity to wage a public,
militant campaign for a fair contract.
Throughout the semester,
union strength has been growing, as members across the University have become
active in the fight for a fair contract. We have seen that our pressure
works, but we will need to be prepared to press even harder to break through
management’s austerity framework. Being able to draw on a Union Defense
Fund will enable us to intensify our campaign and defend the union as we prepare
for more militant actions.
A key element of the
Union Defense Fund is that it will be built through voluntary contributions:
building the Fund will itself be an act of solidarity, an intensification of our
one-on-one organizing. This is a proposal for more than a fund; it’s a
proposal for a campaign. Its aim is in part to change the conversation in
the union, as members are asked, one by one, to recognize the seriousness of our
fight and make a commitment of support.
Union defense funds have
historically been a fundamental institution of the trade union movement.
Voluntary or mandatory, long-term or short-term, collective funds for the
defense of the union and its members have been an essential tool of organizing
and building union strength. In 1973, as part of the PSC’s hard-fought
campaign to win a first contract, the union began a Union Defense Fund in order
to be prepared in the event of a strike. Although the union membership
voted to authorize the leadership to call a strike, the contract was won without
striking, and the union continued to make regular contributions to the Defense
Fund out of its operating budget. In the 1990s, the union leadership
discontinued contributions, and the accrued amount became part of the PSC’s
reserve.
Now we face a state of
emergency in negotiations that is arguably as difficult as the situation faced
by the PSC in 1973. In order to build the union’s capacity for a new level
of action—a level commensurate with the contract crisis we face—the Executive
Council calls for the creation of a new Union Defense Fund, this time through
voluntary contributions. The proposal is for a Union Defense Fund
established according to the following guidelines:
-
All contributions
would be voluntary; members and fee-payers would be asked, through the
Clarion and a direct mailing, to elect to deduct a fixed amount from
each paycheck and contribute this amount to the Union Defense Fund account
in the PSC/CUNY Credit Union.
-
The Union Defense
Fund would be a fund segregated from other PSC funds, such as operating
expenses and reserves, and would be governed by rules established by the PSC
Executive Council in consultation with legal counsel and our local and
national affiliates.
-
The direct mailing
and other forms of outreach for the Defense Fund would offer members
suggested levels of contribution; e.g., $2 from each paycheck, $5, $10 or
$25. Contributions could also be made directly, by writing a check to
the PSC Union Defense Fund. The different levels of suggested
contribution would lead up to the highest, one day’s pay (with instructions
on how to calculate one day for yourself). The Defense Fund would be used to
expand the union’s capacity to wage a public, militant campaign for a fair
contract. For instance, if the union needs to intensify its television
advertising campaign beyond the financial limits of our existing budget for
such campaigns, the Executive Council might vote to approve allocating money
from the Defense Fund to increased television advertising. If the
union were forced to consider a job action, the Executive Council might vote
to allocate money from the Defense Fund to cover job action expenses.
All allocations would be voted on by the Executive Council and would be
reported to the membership.
-
In the event the
money raised for the Defense Fund this spring is not spent, or the contract
is settled without full expenditure of the Fund, member contributions would
not be refunded; rather, they would become part of a lasting Defense Fund
for the union.
-
Members would be
encouraged to continue contributing to the Union Defense Fund after the
settlement of the contract, as a regular part of their union practice. The
Union Defense Fund would build the union’s capacity in more than financial
ways. One of its major purposes would be to intensify the one-on-one
organizing campaign in which we are now engaged.
-
If the DA approves
the Fund, the union’s leadership and organizing staff will set a target
date, for instance May 2—the first day back from spring break—and a target
number of contributors. Activists will be asked to urge their “My
Five” people to participate in the Fund; each chapter will set a target for
its number of Fund participants by that date. Contract campaign events
in April and May will be oriented toward increasing participation in the
Fund.
-
The Union Defense
Fund would be part of the PSC’s long-term plan to become an activist union,
to build our political capacity and develop strength for campaigns beyond
this contract.
back to
TOP
Delegate
Assembly Resolutions
January
27, 2005
A STATE OF
EMERGENCY IN
CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS
Whereas the collective
bargaining agreement between the Professional Staff Congress
and the City University of New York expired on October 31,
2002, and CUNY faculty and staff have not had raises since
August 1, 2001; and
Whereas during the same
period that PSC members were without a raise and experienced
a reduction in the real value of their salaries, CUNY’s top
management accepted raises with a total cost to the
University of $2.1 million a year; and
Whereas the Chancellor’s
Office has launched an expensive fund-raising campaign whose
motto is “Investing in Futures” while failing to invest in
the people who create the real future of the University—the
faculty and staff; and
Whereas the financial
offer on the table from University management, currently
1.5% over four years with a small one-time bonus of $400
(pro-rated for part-timers) both insults people who
routinely work their hearts out for CUNY and forecasts a
deeply inadequate final offer; and
Whereas in order to offer
quality education, build a strong University and sustain our
own lives in the profession, the PSC needs more than a
minimal contract: that is, we need a contract that offers
increased Welfare Fund contributions and money for equity
advances as well as salary increases above the level of
inflation; and
Whereas PSC members have
endured painful reductions in Welfare Fund benefits over the
past two years, including a shift of approximately one-third
of the cost of prescription drugs and a significant portion
of dental care costs from the employer to the employee; yet
escalating healthcare costs mean that without a substantial
increase in employer contributions the Welfare Fund reserve
will be depleted in less than a year; and
Whereas the PSC has made
a fair, reasonable financial proposal: the settlement
achieved by the SUNY faculty and staff (approximately 15% in
salary and other improvements over four years) plus the
added money required to stabilize and enhance our Welfare
Fund; and
Whereas the University
management offer of 1.5% (with a $400 lump sum and a further
1% available if we pay for it by increased “productivity”)
covers none of these needs; and
Whereas a refusal to
invest in CUNY’s faculty and staff would be ultimately a
refusal to invest in CUNY’s students, because our working
conditions are their learning conditions; and
Whereas the failure to
resolve the PSC contract has a direct impact on students,
who have also been repeatedly battered by tuition increases
and the systematic withdrawal of public funding from CUNY;
the PSC’s agenda of creating competitive salaries, benefits
and working conditions at CUNY is directed toward
strengthening the University and enhancing the education,
research and service in which it engages; and
Whereas the PSC has tried
every other tactic to press for the settlement we need: we
have engaged in serious collective bargaining; we have
worked to narrow our areas of difference with management; we
have collected thousands of signatures on petitions to the
Chancellor and college presidents; we have appealed directly
to the Board of Trustees—presenting them with letters at
every meeting since May 2004, organizing a member presence
at every meeting since May and requesting meetings between
each individual Trustee and the PSC president; we have sent
hundreds of faxes to the Chancellor about our contract
needs; we have met with college presidents, picketed on
campus, received the support of students, met with the City
and State, met with the CUNY Chancellor and shown the
support of the entire membership for the position that a
minimal contract is not acceptable; and
Whereas despite the
Chancellor’s public statement in May 2004 that he did not
intend to offer the PSC an austerity contract, the
management of the University has failed to respond to these
powerful and unprecedented expressions of our need—and the
University’s need; and
Whereas a contract at the
level suggested by management’s 1.5% offer has already begun
to result in an inability to recruit and retain high-quality
faculty and staff, with several departments reporting their
difficulty in attracting the candidates they seek when
candidates learn of the teaching load, salaries and working
conditions at CUNY; and
Whereas CUNY management’s
failure to offer an adequate economic framework for the
settlement is coupled with demands that represent a direct
attack on faculty autonomy, availability of research time,
job security and the ability of the union to represent its
members and enforce the contract; and
Whereas the 20,000
faculty and staff represented by the PSC have given their
professional lives to CUNY, enduring substandard salaries
and working conditions, making do with inadequate research
time and resources, existing in a permanent culture of
scarcity—out of commitment to a vision of what a public
urban university could be, out of dedication to our students
and out of understanding of the value of intellectual work;
therefore be it
Resolved, that the PSC declare a state of emergency
in the contract negotiations and that we call on every
member of the faculty and staff to become a part of the mass
effort that will be required, given the current political
climate, to win the contract we need; that we rededicate the
union to old-fashioned, one-on-one organizing so that every
member is informed and engaged, so that every member becomes
part of the campus and worksite campaigns that will direct
our political force toward a good contract; and be it
further
Resolved, that the chapters of the PSC prepare the
membership for decisions at the Delegate Assemblies this
spring on the increasingly militant actions that may be
required to win a contract that meets our needs—by engaging
in broad-based discussion of the full range of actions in
which unions historically have engaged and their relevance
to our current campaign: leafleting, letter-writing,
protests, demonstrations, lobbying, media campaigns,
coalition-building with students and other groups, direct
action, special assessment of members for union defense
funds, and job actions up to and including strikes.
Adopted unanimously,
January 27, 2005
back to
TOP
Delegate
Assembly Resolutions
December 16, 2004
Click
here for a PDF document with the
following resolutions passed by the D.A. for submission to the 2005 New York
State Teachers Representative Assembly.
►Reaffirmation
of Democratic Access to College
►Reaffirmation
of Restoring Access to the City University of New York
►Reaffirmation
of the Resolutions on Air Quality in Our Schools
►Reaffirmation
of the Resolution on Healthy Schools
►Reaffirmation
of the Resolution on Ergonomics
►Reaffirmation
of Resolution on State and Federal Legislation of Healthcare Staffing
►Reaffirmation
of the Resolution on Protection from Genetic Discrimination
►Reaffirmation
of the Resolution on Preserving Public Education
►Reaffirmation
of the Resolution on Workers’ Compensation
►Reaffirmation
of the Resolution on Sales Tax of Laboratory Tests
►Reaffirmation
of the Resolution on New York State Funding for Higher Education
►Resolution
on Tenure
►Resolution
in Support of the Safety and Freedom Ensured Act (SAFE Act)
►Resolution
on the Academic Bill of Rights (Student Bill of Rights)
►Resolution
on Pharmaceutical Companies
►Resolution
on Coca-Cola
►Resolution
to Stop War Crimes and Ethnic Cleansing In Darfur
►Resolution
to Protect Workers from Harassment and Abuse, Creating a Hostile Work
Environment
►Resolution
to Support Health Insurance And Universal Healthcare
►Resolution
in Opposition to the College Access and Opportunity Act, H. R. 4283
Resolution for Paid
Family Leave
►Resolution
on the Ethics Law
►Resolution
in Opposition to Embargoed Materials
►Resolution
for NYSUT to Widely Publicize Its Commitment To Establish Equity For Adjunct
Faculty/Staff, Including but not Limited To Its Higher Education Omnibus Model
Legislation
►Resolution
on Academic Freedom at John Jay College/CUNY
►Resolution
in Support of General Education Diploma (GED) Programs
►Resolution
to Reduce Localities’ Medicaid and Education Expenses
►Resolution
to Oppose Punitive Credit Card Interest and Fee Schedules
►Resolution
to Refund Child Tax Credit
►Resolution
on Tax Fairness and Adequate Resources
►Resolution
on Capping Medicare Part B and P
►Resolution
on Supplying the Flu Vaccine
►Resolution
on the Inclusion of Retiree Concerns in the Negotiation Process
►Resolution
on Long-Term Care Insurance
►Resolution
on Medicare Aid for Home Care
back to
TOP
Delegate
Assembly Resolutions
October 28, 2004
Resolution for Gene
Plunkett, Former Chapter Chairperson
of the Manhattan Educational Opportunity Center (MEOC)
Whereas
Gene Plunkett was a Counselor of the students of the Manhattan EOC, a colleague
and friend of the members of the Chapter at the Manhattan EOC; and
Whereas
Gene Plunkett joined the City University of New York staff on July 16, 1968 and
worked at Lehman College prior to going to the MEOC; and
Whereas
Gene Plunkett joined the Professional Staff Congress on March 3, 1978, was an
active member and Chairperson of the PSC Chapter of the Manhattan EOC; and
Whereas
Gene Plunkett was devoted to the education of the students who enrolled at the
Manhattan EOC; and
Whereas
during the course of his tenure at the MEOC, Gene Plunkett worked for the
survival of the EOC and fought for equity for EOC employees with CUNY employees;
therefore be it
Resolved, that the Delegate Assembly of the Professional Staff Congress/CUNY
express condolences to Gene Plunkett’s family and colleagues and recognize his
long years of service to the University, the community, and the union.
back to
TOP
Delegate
Assembly Resolutions
September 30, 2004
Resolution to
Support the Colombia Teachers' Strike October 12th
Whereas the PSC has already adopted Resolutions, and brought them to the
NYSUT and AFT conventions, in solidarity with the struggle against death squad
assassinations of teachers and other unionists in Colombia; and the Colombia
national teacher strike is an occasion for us to move beyond Resolutions and
offer practical strike support;
And
Whereas as we know, Colombia is the most dangerous place in the world to be
a unionist: three-quarters of all murders of trade unionists occur in Colombia,
and already this year alone 23 teachers, 60% of them women, have been killed by
right-wing paramilitaries;
And
Whereas
according to Amnesty International, “Colombia is the third largest recipient of
US military aid in the world. Despite compelling evidence that the Colombian
military are violating human rights, either directly or in collusion with
paramilitary groups, the US government has agreed to allow its military
assistance to be used for counter-insurgency activities, with one clear and
tragic result - a greater targeting of the civilian population” ( The
Wire, 4/23/04);
And
Whereas
FECODE, the Federación Colombiana de Educadores (Colombian Teachers Union), is
launching on October 12 an indefinite national strike against the death squads
and the Uribe government, which allows these killings to go on with impunity;
and CUT, the federation of all Colombian unions, is also calling a one-day
general strike against the government on October 12; and FECODE has asked US
teachers and students to support the strike and oppose the US military aid that
is killing them;
And
Whereas the strike is endorsed by the AFT (American Federation of Teachers),
the NEA (National Education Association), and EI (Education International), and
Latin American and European unions are joining in support;
And
Whereas
other demands of the strike are for health care, pensions, and retirement
benefits, all threatened with deep cuts by government legislation, and for an
end to the freeze on salaries and promotions;
And
Whereas by supporting their strike locally, we join forces against a common
enemy, those who would destroy public education, through more privatization,
punitive union contracts, tuition hikes, budget cuts, over-use of standardized
tests, and the infiltration of corporations and the military into education;
Resolved: That
the PSC endorse the Colombian national teachers’ strike October 12, and will,
through the International and Solidarity Committees, conduct strike support in
the form of a rally at the Colombian Consulate on October 12; a letter-writing
campaign, through the PSC website, to the Uribe government and the US Congress;
and do targeted leafleting and petitioning on CUNY campuses.
Resolution For Dialog on Adjunct Workload Restrictions
Whereas
many adjunct faculty and staff depend, for their main source of income, on the
compensation they receive for work at CUNY, and
Whereas
the PSC-CUNY contract allows adjunct faculty to teach no more than 9 contact
hours at one CUNY unit, and one course of up to 6 hours at another CUNY
unit in any semester, a rule which dates back to the previous PSC
administration, and
Whereas
the 9/6 rule appears to allow 15 hours per term, but in practice very few
adjuncts have schedules of over 12 contact hours per semester, and
Whereas
adjuncts who work maximum available schedules, with wages of $20,000 to $26,000
per academic year, experience the 9/6 provision as an immediate barrier to their
ability to earn a living wage from CUNY work, and
Whereas
full-time Community College faculty are allowed overload, or multiple
appointments to 15 hours per term, which raise their full-time workload and
income, and
Whereas
the 9/6 provision imposes work rules that can act against the best interests of
adjuncts and their students, by limiting the freedom of adjuncts to opt for the
work opportunities which best fit their capabilities, interests, and needs, and
best enable them to be effective educators, and
Whereas
the achievement of parity for adjuncts in income and professional working
conditions is the contractual goal of the PSC, and
Whereas
injury to one group is injury to all in a fully committed union of workers, and
Whereas
improvement of the 9/6 rule has long been deferred, a more sensitive and
sensible adjunct workload policy could make a favorable difference in how
adjuncts view the union, and
Whereas
the recent NYU contract compensates adjuncts at about $90 per hour, which is
over 60% above the starting CUNY adjunct rate, and is without workload
restrictions, and
Whereas
the PSC ethos encourages constructive dialog and debate in seeking democratic,
participatory and active unionism, but CLARION has yet to have full discussion
on this important issue, and
Whereas
the May 2004 Delegate Assembly meeting ended with assurance of further
discussion at this meeting on the 9/6 matter, now therefore
Resolved, that the PSC undertake a
discussion on solidarity across the ranks during Campus Equity Week and the
formation of a working group to start discussing adjunct workload (9/6 policy),
but in privacy.
Resolution on Closing G.E.D. Sites
Whereas
the September 30, 2004
New York Times reports that the NYC Department of Education has, without
adequate notice, closed dozens of G.E.D. preparation sites, “bewildering staff
members and creating a chaotic situation for young people already at risk for
abandoning their studies;” and Whereas PSC/CUNY
recognizes that teachers in the NYC public high schools play a vital role in
educating the young people of New York City; nevertheless, for some, G.E.D.
programs become an alternative route to the high school diploma; and
Whereas
the PSC/CUNY strongly supports G.E.D. programs as essential avenues to higher
education and adequate employment for many students; therefore be it
Resolved, that the PSC/CUNY express
its forceful opposition to this fall’s closing of the G.E.D. preparation sites
and urge the CUNY Chancellor and the Board of Trustees to join the PSC/CUNY in
advocating their reestablishment.
back to
TOP
Delegate
Assembly Resolutions
June 17,
2004
Resolution Endorsing Demonstrations at the Republican National Convention
Whereas the policies and agenda of the Bush Administration and the far-right
Republican Party have been disastrous for the working people of the United
States and the population of the world; and
Whereas those policies will be reaffirmed and Bush nominated to run for a
second term of office at the Republican National Convention to be held in New
York City at the end of August, 2004; and
Whereas United for Peace and Justice, a nationwide anti-war coalition with
more than 800 member groups, has called for a demonstration on August 29th
to oppose the Republican agenda, under the slogan “The World Says No to the Bush
Agenda”; and,
Whereas the New York City Central Labor Council is planning a rally on
September 1st
near the Republican National Convention to protest the Republican and Bush
agendas; and,
Whereas the Central Labor Council has gotten a permit from the city to hold
their September 1st rally on Eighth Avenue and 30th
Street, one block from the site of the Republican Convention, while the city is
still balking at giving United for Peace and Justice a permit to protest
peacefully within sight of the Convention site; therefore, be it
Resolved, that
the Professional Staff Congress endorse both the August 29th and
September 1st demonstrations against the Bush agenda and urge its
members to mobilize for and participate in the protests against the Republican
agenda and the Bush re-election campaign; and be it further
Resolved, that the Professional Staff Congress urge the New York City
administration to act quickly to grant United for Peace and Justice a venue for
their August 29th protest within sight of
the Madison Square Garden Republican convention site.
Resolution to Endorse John Kerry
Whereas
the AFT reserves the right to make endorsements in U.S. presidential elections
and its Executive Council passed a Resolution to be presented to the 2004
convention that uncritically endorses John Kerry for president, and has devoted
substantial material and political resources to the election of Kerry; and
Whereas
John Kerry's presidential election campaign has taken positions at odds with the
stated positions of the PSC on such issues as Iraq, labor policy, NAFTA, and
educational policy; therefore be it
Resolved, that the PSC critically
accept the AFT's endorsement of John Kerry for president of the U.S.; and be it
further
Resolved, that the PSC urge the AFT to
apply and maintain pressure on John Kerry to come out strongly against the
continued U.S. war in and occupation of Iraq, and, if elected, to reverse the
Bush Administration policy in Iraq as well as the general strategy of
empire-building backed up by 'pre-emptive war; reject educational policies that
involve 'merit pay'; reverse his positions on 'free trade', particularly NAFTA;
express broader support for well-funded quality public education; and be it
further
Resolved, that the PSC reaffirm its
commitment to building labor participation in an independent anti-war movement
and to maintain pressure on any presidential candidate or president to shift his
position on this and other key issues.
Resolution on the Presidential Campaign
Whereas
George W. Bush's presidency has been devastating to the interests of labor,
education, the environment, and, generally, to the well-being of our nation,
other nations, and the peoples of the world, and his 're-election' would mean a
continuation of the same brutal, anti-labor regime;
Resolved, that the PSC create a
mechanism to enable members who want to participate in the Kerry campaign to do
so.
Resolution
in Opposition to Student Test Scores in Faculty Evaluation Files
Whereas the President of LaGuardia Community College has informed the
LaGuardia PSC that she requires ACT pass rate scores to be included in faculty
personnel files for evaluation of “teaching effectiveness;” and
Whereas the President has insisted that it is her right to require “multiple
quantitative measures of teaching effectiveness;” and
Whereas using the ACT test as an exit exam is not considered a valid measure
of student performance or improvement; and
Whereas ACT test student pass rates vary widely and do not reflect teaching
effectiveness of faculty; and
Whereas including such scores in evaluating “teaching effectiveness”
encourages the practice of ‘teaching to the test’ rather than the
well-rounded and carefully designed curriculum of a department and its faculty
members; and
Whereas students are ill served by courses that are oriented toward tests
instead of providing them with a wide range of college level skills; and
Whereas curriculum design and development is the professional responsibility
of faculty, not outside test agencies or CUNY administration; and
Whereas faculty evaluation of teaching effectiveness is a matter faculty
have traditionally taken seriously through peer observations, professional
development seminars, student evaluations and annual evaluations; and
Whereas the PSC contract specifies that faculty be evaluated on the basis of
material in their personnel file where the contents and evaluation instruments
have been negotiated through past practice and College governance; therefore be
it
Resolved, that
the PSC Delegate Assembly support the LaGuardia chapter in this Resolution and
forward a copy of it to Chancellor Goldstein; and be it further
Resolved, that
student test scores, student grades, student averages, and retention rates, in
whatever form or format, not be included in Faculty Personnel files at
any CUNY campus; and be it further
Resolved, that
Union representatives and governance representatives be consulted and
negotiations take place to insure that the contents of files include only
documents approved through College governance and union negotiation; and be it
further
Resolved, that
any such scores or student results be removed from any and all faculty files on
any campus where they have been included.
Resolution for
PSC Racial Diversity Advocate
Whereas
according to the Fall 2002 CUNY Affirmative Action Report, the professional
staff are 51.9% White [including Italians], 26.8% Black, 13.9% Hispanic, and
7.1% Asian; and
Whereas
according to the Fall 2002 CUNY Affirmative Action Report, the faculty are 73.4%
White, 12.2% Black, 6.8% Hispanic, and 7.3% Asian; and
Whereas
CUNY reported the Fall 2002 CUNY student population as 33.2% White, 29.5% Black,
23.5% Hispanic, and 13.6% Asian; and
Whereas
the 2000 Census Report listed the New York City population as 27% Hispanic, 24%
Black, 10% Asian and 35 % White; and
Whereas in
proportion to their numbers in the general population, Blacks, Hispanics and
Asians are highly underrepresented in the ranks of the instructional staff at
CUNY, and Whites are over-represented; and
Whereas
the University’s goals to provide employment discrimination complaint procedures
as stated in the
1999 manual, Employment Discrimination Complaint Procedures, to hear
discrimination complaints and to report annually its compliance with affirmative
action requirements [Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity (AA/EEOC)
Officers] have not resulted in a CUNY workforce that reflects the diverse
population of the City; and
Whereas many campuses and departments have an unsatisfactory record of
hiring, retaining, and promoting faculty and staff of color; and
Whereas CUNY’s performance is in contradistinction to SED Law 6201 section 3
that states “. . . the university will continue to maintain and expand its
commitment to academic excellence and to the provision of equal access and
opportunity for students, faculty and staff from all ethnic and racial groups
and from both sexes.” Section 5 of the same law that states, “Only the strongest
commitment to the special needs of an urban constituency justifies the
legislature’s support of an independent and unique structure for the university.
Activities at the city university campuses must be undertaken in a spirit which
recognizes and responds to the imperative need for affirmative action and the
positive desire to have city university personnel reflect the diverse
communities which comprise the people of the city and state of New York;”
therefore be it
Resolved, that
each PSC chapter executive committee appoint a Racial Diversity Advocate. The
responsibility of the Advocate will be to work with the chapter to organize
around issues of racism, to advocate for and monitor the hiring, promoting,
retaining and reclassifying of the instructional staff of color, and to report
information to the central union so that it may act to move the University
toward a more diverse faculty and staff; and be it further
Resolved, that
the union develop guidelines to assist the chapter executive committee and the
chapter Racial Diversity Advocate to carry out these objectives; and be it
further
Resolved, that
the PSC Constitution will be reviewed so that establishment of this chapter
position complies with it.
back to
TOP
Delegate
Assembly Resolutions
February 26, 2004
Resolution In Response
to Chancellor's Proposal to Extend Tenure Clock
Whereas tenure was
established to protect academic freedom and derives from the
recognition that such freedom is essential to the mission of
universities; and
Whereas the 1940
legislation establishing tenure at CUNY (Section 6212.3 of
the New York State Education Law) is one of the landmarks in
the history of tenure in this country, having been won
through mass action and political advocacy by students and
faculty, including the Legislative Conference, one of the
precursors to the PSC; and
Whereas the
Chancellor’s Office has announced its intention to introduce
legislation to lengthen the untenured period from five to
seven years; and
Whereas the Chancellor’s
Office has gone directly to the State Legislature without
consultation with those who would be affected—faculty and
staff of the colleges—and without negotiation with the PSC
about the impact of such a change on the terms and
conditions of employment; and
Whereas the introduction
of the tenure question at this moment of a conservative
political climate gives opponents of faculty rights and
academic freedom an opportunity to make an assault on the
open public university; and
Whereas there is no
indication that CUNY’s rate of successful tenure is lower
than the national norm, approximately 85 - 90%, a rate that
testifies to the way peer support and guidance, typical at
CUNY, has enabled the majority of tenure candidates to meet
the requirements of teaching, scholarship, and service; and
Whereas the legislation
proposed by the Chancellor’s Office is an opening for the
opponents in the legislature to attack job security for
faculty, as has occurred across the country, where only 35%
of all college faculty currently serve in tenure or
tenure-track positions; and
Whereas CUNY’s five-year
tenure clock is appropriate for an institution that uniquely
encompasses two-year and four-year colleges; and
Whereas the proposal to
extend the untenured period emanates, in part, from the
state’s unwillingness to fund CUNY and the concession and
resignation of the CUNY administration to this circumstance;
and
Whereas loss of state
support has resulted in too little funding to support
faculty research, scholarship and creative work; and too
little funding for provisions such as start-up packages for
scientific laboratories, adequate parental leave and
childcare; and
Whereas there is no
evidence to indicate that lengthening the tenure clock
benefits women, as has been claimed by management, although
there is evidence that providing research support,
reasonable courseloads, childcare and adequate parental
leave does benefit women; and
Whereas stretching the
tenure clock lengthens the time when faculty may not feel
fully protected by academic freedom and the opportunity to
participate in the full life of the campus; and
Whereas an increase in
the probationary period decreases job security, delays
promotions and raises in salary, increases the period of
most intense managerial control, increases the time during
which dissenting voices may be silenced, and weakens the
University as whole; and
Whereas the PSC believes
that this is not the moment to open a debate on tenure but
rather a conversation on what is needed at CUNY to make it
possible for faculty to succeed, namely adequate research
leave, manageable course loads, access to childcare, and
ample parental leave, support for scientists conducting
research in labs; therefore be it
Resolved, that the Professional Staff Congress oppose
the Chancellor’s proposal to extend the untenured period;
that the membership and leadership actively oppose the
legislation; and that we call on Chancellor Goldstein and
the Board of Trustees to withdraw their tenure proposal and
instead join the PSC in advocating for investment in the
forms of support that have been demonstrated to
promote scholarship and research.
Resolution in Support of Intro. No. 271
New York City Equal Benefits Bill
Submitted by: Jay Appleman, QCC Chapter
Whereas
legislation before the City Council (Intro. 271) requires that companies which
have contracts with the City of New York for $100,000 or more provide the same
benefits to employees with domestic partners as they provide to employees with
spouses, including health insurance, bereavement and family medical leave; and
Whereas
lead sponsor Councilmember Christine Quinn has
testified that “The Equal benefits Bill would insure that all New Yorkers are
getting equal benefits for equal work. The City of New York has an obligation to
demand that businesses that receive public money treat their employees with the
same dignity and respect that the City treats its own employees;” and
Whereas
Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum has stated “This
bill takes New York City the extra mile in its support of domestic partnership
benefits. If we are serious about equality for New York City employees, then we
must extend that same standard of non-discrimination to those with whom this
city does business. All employees deserve the same benefits regardless of their
sexual orientation or marital status;” and
Whereas
the cities of San Francisco, Los Angeles,
Seattle, Minneapolis, among others, and the State of California have all
recognized that discrimination should not be financed by public dollars and have
enacted legislation similar to Intro. 271; and
Whereas
domestic partner benefits are important not only
to LGBT people, but to a variety of individuals who can live together and form
families without being married; and it would be wrong for taxpayers’ money to
support one set of employees and their families, while leaving another set of
employees and their families unprotected; and
Whereas
the PSC has a long-established history of
opposing discrimination and supporting issues of social justice,
Now Be It Resolved,
that the PSC Delegate Assembly affirm it support for the passage of New
York City Council Intro. 271; and
Be It Further Resolved,
that the PSC’s support be transmitted to the City
Council, and included in any testimony before the City Council or its
Committees regarding Intro. 271.
Resolution IN SUPPORT OF THE MARCH FOR WOMEN'S LIVES
Sunday, April 25, 2004 in Washington DC
Whereas the PSC is committed to equal rights for all; and
Whereas reproductive rights are essential to women’s full participation in
the labor force and in society; and
Whereas the PSC affirms the right and moral capacity of women and men to
make sound and responsible decisions about their lives; and
Whereas parenting is a major commitment for women and men and becoming a
parent must not be coerced; and
Whereas organized labor is committed to the general welfare of working
people; and
Whereas access to health care that includes reproductive health care is a
goal of organized labor, not just for its members but for everyone; and
Whereas access to legal abortion is fundamental to women’s reproductive
rights; and
Whereas President Bush and his administration, from the first day of
assuming office, have taken every opportunity to curtail reproductive rights
domestically and internationally; therefore, be it
Resolved, that
the PSC endorse and sign on as a co-sponsor of the March for Women’s Lives on
Sunday, April 25, 2004 and encourage its labor affiliates to sign on as sponsors
and participants as well; and be it further
Resolved, that
the PSC encourage and facilitate members’ participation in the March for Women’s
Lives.
back to
TOP
Delegate
Assembly Resolutions
October
30, 2003
Resolution to
Enfranchise Non-citizen Residents in Local Elections
Whereas
over 1.3 million non-citizen residents of voting age live in New York City (one
in five); and
Whereas non-citizen
residents contribute to the economic vitality of New York City, by paying taxes,
purchasing goods and services, and working in every sector of the economy; and
Whereas
non-citizen residents contribute to the social and cultural vitality of NYC by
sending their children to schools, developing and participating in the life of
their communities through churches, synagogues, mosques, and community groups;
and
Whereas
non-citizen residents serve in the military and have died defending this
country; and
Whereas
non-citizen residents are excluded from participating in the selection of
representatives who make laws and public policy affecting their lives on a daily
basis; and
Whereas
excluding such a significant portion of the city’s population undermines the
health, representativness and legitimacy of our laws and public policies; and
Whereas
the average time it takes to attain citizenship is ten years; and
Whereas
non-citizens voted in local, state and national elections in the U.S. from the
Founding until the 1920s and in twenty-two states and federal territories, until
it fell casualty to nativism and elite reaction to the potential power of
growing working class movements and electoral strength (which also brought
literacy tests, poll taxes, restrictive residency and voter registration
requirements); and
Whereas
the Civil Rights Movement ushered in noncitizen voting in NYC school board
elections from 1969 to 2003 (when school boards were eliminated); and
Whereas
nearly a dozen other jurisdictions in the U.S. have more recently extended
voting rights to non-citizens or are currently considering such legislation,
including in San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.; and
Whereas
twenty-two countries in the world currently permit resident aliens to vote; and
Whereas
non-citizen voting is a proven practical
pathway to political incorporation, citizenship and participation as reflected
in America’s previous practice with it and as evidenced in contemporary
jurisdictions in the U.S. and globally that allow noncitizens to vote—all of
which shows voting gives newcomers greater incentives to develop ties to local
communities and facilitates civic education and political participation; and
Whereas
non-citizens, such as permanent legal
residents, comprise a significant proportion of the membership of the PSC and
the student body of CUNY who understand the value of the franchise and would be
empowered to participate in the democratic process; therefore be it
Resolved,
that PSC-CUNY urge its members to support a
Resolution or legislation by the City Council which would allow noncitizens to
vote in New York City elections, including for Mayor, Comptroller, City Council,
Borough Presidents, District Attorneys, and Judges.
back to
TOP
Delegate
Assembly Resolutions
September 25, 2003
Resolution ON CAMPUS EQUITY WEEK
Whereas October 27-31, 2003 will be
a week of coordinated activities on campuses in the U.S., Canada and Mexico
called Campus Equity Week (CEW).
Whereas CUNY has over 9500 part
time workers in its collective bargaining unit, including teaching and
non-teaching adjuncts, grad fellows, and CLTs, many of whom have served the
university for decades.
Whereas CEW is a week dedicated to
educate our campus communities, the public and policymakers about the
desirability and efficacy of equitable labor policies and standards that
encourage fairness and dignity for all members of the campus community.
Whereas failure to extend to
all faculty professional conditions, a living wage and respect, compromises the
quality of education in the university and risks academic freedom, the stability
of the profession, and the integrity of our standing with students and the
community.
Whereas CEW is part of a growing
movement among working people from all walks of life seeking to address
inequities of contingent work.
Be it resolved that the PSC supports Campus
Equity Week and will mobilize its full and part-time members to join together in
creative ways to implement fairness to contingent workers, through such projects
as:
- supporting the PSC contract demands for contingent
workers, including seniority, parity, and job security
- adhering to provisions and guidelines articulated by
AFT, AAUP, MLA and other professional groups regarding treatment of adjuncts
- creating Adjunct Walls of Fame to counteract the
tendency toward invisibility and demeaning stereotypes and devaluation.
- calling on governance bodies to develop policies for
inclusion of contingent workers in governance
Thereby providing models of a just and equitable
democratic community for our students.
back to
TOP
Resolution Against Non-Partisan
Elections
Submitted by the Legislation Committee
Whereas Mayor
Michael Bloomberg has proposed a referendum for the November 4th,
2003 election that calls for non-partisan elections; and
Whereas
non-partisan elections will eliminate party primaries in New York City elections
for Mayor, Comptroller, City Council and Borough Presidents; and
Whereas
non-partisan elections may mislead voters since candidates’ listed party
affiliation may not reflect any commitment to party platforms or principles;
Whereas
non-partisan elections, take away the right of rank and file party members to
choose the candidates in Primary elections that most represent their political
positions;
Whereas
non-partisan primaries make it easier for candidates to obscure what they stand
for and what their positions are; and
Whereas
non-partisan elections would eliminate third-party ballot lines in the November
general election; and
Whereas the
winners of non-partisan elections tend to be those who spend the most and gain
name recognition; and
Whereas
non-partisan elections distract attention from more tested reforms that are
proven to increase voter participation, such as on site registrations, or longer
voting periods;
Whereas
non-partisan elections will make it more difficult for candidates of color to
win office; therefore be it
Resolved, that PSC-CUNY urge its members to vote
No on Question #3 in the NYC November 4, 2003 general election.
back to
TOP
Delegate
Assembly Resolutions
June 19,
2003
Resolution to Join U.S. Labor Against the War
Resolved, that PSC/CUNY
join US Labor Against the War; and be it further
Resolved, that PSC
send a delegation to the October 2003 founding convention of the US Labor
Against the War; and be it further
Resolved, that PSC create a special DA committee to work on anti-war issues
that will exist for one year to be reviewed thereafter
back to
TOP
Resolution in support of
Res. No. 909, currently before the NYC Council and calling upon federal, state,
and local officials, and New York City agencies and institutions, to affirm and
uphold civil rights and civil liberties
Whereas the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, Public Law 107-56, was passed just 45
days after the tragic events of September 11, 2001, without due deliberation and
consideration; and
Whereas the original intent to meet demands for urgent action in the face of
national emergency has resulted in the significant erosion of constitutional
rights in the United States, including the rights to freedom of speech, due
process and equal protection; and
Whereas the Act and related executive orders, regulations and actions permit
incarceration of non-citizens based upon mere suspicion, and allow for the
indefinite detention of citizens without charges and without access to counsel;
and
Whereas since September 11, 2001, thousands of Arab, Muslim and South Asian
men and students have been interrogated, fingerprinted, and detained based
solely or primarily on their religion or ethnicity; and
Whereas the USA PATRIOT Act granted law enforcement and intelligence
agencies vast new powers to access personal, medical, library and financial
records without having to show probable cause or reasonable suspicion; and
Whereas new FBI guidelines provide the federal government with substantial
new powers to engage in surveillance of activities protected by the First
Amendment, including the power to spy on political meetings, religious
gatherings, internet “chat” rooms, and other public meetings without suspicion
of any past, present or future criminal activity; and
Whereas the federal government has drafted new legislation entitled the
Domestic Security Enhancement Act (also known as PATRIOT II), which contains
sweeping new law enforcement and intelligence gathering powers, many of which
are not related to terrorism, that would further compromise constitutional
rights, and further undermine our government’s unique system of checks and
balances; and
Whereas over 120 communities throughout the country, in addition to three
states, have enacted Resolutions that reaffirm support for civil rights and
civil liberties and that demand accountability form law enforcement agencies
regarding the exercise of the extraordinary new powers referred to herein; and
Whereas PSC/CUNY is committed to protecting and ensuring the civil rights
and civil liberties of all residents of the United States of America; therefore
be it
Resolved that PSC/CUNY
oppose the USA Patriot Act and call for the NYC Council to pass Res. No. 909,
which calls upon federal, state and local officials, and upon New York City
agencies and institutions, to affirm and uphold civil rights and civil
liberties.
back to
TOP
Resolution Opposing FCC's Relaxation of Media Ownership Rules
Whereas the FCC's 3-2 vote
on June 2, 2003 to relax media ownership rules will lead to greater
concentration and cross-ownership of large media conglomerates across the
country,
Whereas increased media
concentration inevitably reduces the range of public discourse around
contemporary issues of public concern,
Whereas the 1996 relaxation
of ownership rules for radio have clearly led to a reduction of local outlets
and local news,
Whereas an informed
citizenship depends crucially on access and exposure to a broad spectrum of
substantively divergent media sources,
Whereas the FCC is an
agency of appointed, unelected officials, and the FCC refused to share its
research in response to specific Congressional requests,
Resolved that the Professional Staff
Congress opposes the relaxation of ownership rules adopted by the FCC on June
2,
Resolved that the Professional Staff
Congress encourages its members to express their support for Congressional
action to rescind the recently amended rules.
back to
TOP
Resolution in Support of HR 603, on the Status of Citizens
of Montserrat Residing in the United States
Submitted to the Executive Council by Vera Weekes
Whereas the 40 square mile island of Montserrat, situated in the Eastern
Caribbean, has been experiencing catastrophic volcanic eruption since July 1995;
and
Whereas volcanologists and scientists involved in the disaster have
predicted that it is unlikely that the volcano will cease to erupt in the near
future, possibly continuing for at least 25 years in total; and
Whereas the Department of State reports that in the near future there is a
significant risk of new eruptions caused by the sustained growth of the lava
dome of the Soufriere Hills volcano. Continuous dome growth has increased the
hazard of pyroclastic flows, explosions, volcanic mudflows, and fall of ash and
small stones. The volcano spews hundreds of tons of sulphur dioxide
daily, as well as numerous rockfalls and flows of super-heated rocks, ash and
gas; and
Whereas the continuous catastrophic volcanic eruptions, the ongoing housing
shortage, serious health risks from hazardous volcanic ash have rendered
two-thirds of the Island uninhabitable, the remaining one-third impossible to
house the population and future habitability uncertain; and
Whereas most of the Island’s 12,000-13,000 inhabitants fled, dispersing
throughout the other islands and the United Kingdom (8000) and caused disruption
in the education of its students as all schools and churches in the safe zone
were used as temporary housing for a period of months and all education
therefore ceased for some length of time; and
Whereas
this state of affairs created chaos and eventually migration of its students to
a more stable environment and
Whereas
the devastation of the two-thirds portion of the island reduced the number of
Primary schools [K-8] grade from thirteen to two and the Secondary schools
[Grades 9 to 12 and first year college] from three to one.
Whereas according to the INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service), a
small number of Montserratians including students and teachers of the Montserrat
Union of Teachers [MUT], 363, came to the United States and have been granted
temporary protected status (TPS), renewable each year for a one-year period, by
the Attorney General since August 1997; and
Whereas the Montserratians living in the United States cannot return to the
island to live and to alleviate the temporary and precarious position granted
them by the Attorney General; and
Whereas On February 5, 2003 Congressman Major Owens introduced into the
House of Representatives HR 603 “to provide for adjustment of immigration status
for certain aliens granted temporary protected status in the United States
because of conditions in Montserrat; ” therefore be it
Resolved, that
PSC support Bill HR 603 and urge Congress and the Committee on the Judiciary to
pass into law.
back to
TOP
Delegate
Assembly Resolutions
March 27, 2003
Resolution REGARDING COLOMBIAN TRADE
UNIONISTS
Whereas:
Over 30,000 people, among them over 3,900 Colombian trade unionists have been
assassinated since 1986 and 184 in 2002, including members of the Union of
University Workers of Colombia (both faculty and administrators) as well as
public school teachers in the Colombian Teachers Federation of whom 48 were
killed in the last two months of 2002; and
Whereas:
Acccording to the Human Rights Watch recently published Country Report on
Colombia the vast majority of killings and attacks on labor leaders are
committed by paramilitaries which have ties to the Colombian Armed Forces who
have failed to take concrete action to sever the systematic ties between its
members and the paramilitary forces; and
Whereas:
The Colombian Government has failed to take effective action to investigate,
arrest and prosecute the killers of the union members, and have adopted
inadequate measures to protect union leaders; and
Whereas:
Members of the Colombian Teachers Federation have been not only victims of
assassination, but also of kidnapping, disappearances, threats from armed
groups, and constant harassment and have issued an appeal for international
solidarity; and
Whereas:
As part of “Plan Colombia,” United States President George W. Bush on January
10, 2002 signed Public Law (P.L.) 107-115, which authorized $380.5 million in
aid to Colombia, the bulk of it for Colombia's military; and weeks later,
President Bush requested from the U.S. Congress an emergency supplemental
package that included $35 million more for Colombia; and
Whereas:
The Professional Staff Congress is a member of the Civil Society Network for
Public Education in the Americas, a hemispheric solidarity group of academic
unionists.
Therefore be it
resolved: The Professional Staff Congress oppose funding by the United
States Government of the Colombian Armed Forces under “Plan Colombia,” and
participate in the AFL-CIO efforts to provide solidarity and protection for
Colombian trade unionists.
Respectfully submitted
by
Anthony O’Brien for the International Committee
back to
TOP
Delegate
Assembly Resolutions
FOR 2003 NYSUT
CONVENTION
December 19, 2002
Reaffirmation of Support of A02354/S2971
Submitted by: Professional Staff
Congress
Whereas
A02354/S2971 was introduced in the Assembly by Assemblyman Edward Sullivan and
the Senate by Senator Toby Stavisky; and
Whereas
A02354/S2971 provides that no Trustee of SUNY or CUNY shall be an employee or
under the supervision of the appointing authority; and
Whereas
the purpose of the bill is to ensure that said Trustees serve with objectivity,
independence and integrity; and
Whereas
A02354 passed in the New York State Assembly on May 14, 2002 and is now in the
New York State Senate; and
Whereas
a Resolution submitted to the April 2002 NYSUT RA called for its passage in the
2002 legislative session; and
Whereas
the New York State Senate failed to act in 2002; therefore be it
Resolved, that New
York State United Teachers work for its passage by the New York State Senate and
its enactment into legislation in the 2003 session; and be it further
Resolved, that NYSUT
work with the legislators to amend the bill to include a section on a blue
ribbon panel to select and review candidates for trustees prior to being
nominated.
back to
TOP
In Support of Implementation of "Good
Standards in the Employment of Part-Time/Adjunct Faculty"
Submitted by: Professional Staff Congress
Whereas
the ratio of part-time to full-time faculty in the state’s two and four year
public colleges continues to grow; and
Whereas
New York State United Teachers adopted a Resolution on equity for part-time
faculty at its 2002 Resolution Assembly; and
Whereas
AFT at its 2002 Convention adopted " Standards of Good Practice in the
Employment of Part-Time Adjunct Faculty: A Blueprint for Raising Standards and
Ensuring Financial and Professional Equity;" therefore be it
Resolved, that New
York State United Teachers establish a Committee on Part-Time Labor to develop a
plan of implementation for "Standards of Good Practice," including legislation
to promote fair labor standards for contingent academic labor and equal pay for
equal work.
back to
TOP
Reaffirmation of support for
S06244/A11550, LaValle/Sullivan
Submitted by: Professional Staff Congress
Whereas
the Professional Staff Congress of CUNY won through collective bargaining a
fringe benefit of transit checks for its members; and
Whereas
other unions in the Municipal Labor Coalition won and received transit checks
for their members; and
Whereas
this benefit would allow the purchase of transit checks with pretax dollars
thereby reducing the tax liability of PSC members; and
Whereas
a bill was introduced by both the Senate and the Assembly in the 2002 session
but was not enacted by either body; therefore be it
Resolved, that New
York State United Teachers work for its immediate passage in the 2003 session of
the New York State Legislature.
back to
TOP
In Support of Equitable Taxation
Submitted by: Professional Staff
Congress
Whereas
Governor George Pataki drained state reserve funds in order to close the gap in
the 2002-2003 state budget; and
Whereas
there is an estimated deficit of $2.8 billion in the 2003-2004 state budget; and
Whereas
the top personal income tax rate has been cut by 50% over the last twenty-five
years; and
Whereas
there seems to be a trickle up theory of economics operating in the state
whereby taxes on the wealthy are reduced and services for the poor and working
class people reduced; and
Whereas
the lack of state revenue may lead to a reduced or steady state budget for the
City University of New York and the State University of New York; and
Whereas the shortfall may lead the Trustees of the City University of New
York and the State University of New York to shift more of the fiscal burden of
operating the institutions to students through an increase in tuition; therefore
be it
Resolved, that New
York State United Teachers urge the Governor and legislature of the State of New
York to institute a surcharge on personal income higher than $100,000 per annum
and roll back the tax cuts on those incomes as well as find other sources of
revenue, including the closing of corporate loopholes.
back to
TOP
Inflation Protection Equity for Optional
Retirement Program Members
Submitted by: Professional Staff
Congress
Whereas
the New York State Legislature has created different retirement systems that New
York State and New York City public employees may choose, including New York
State and Local Employees Retirement Systems, the New York City Employees
Retirement Systems, New York State and New York City Teachers Retirement
Systems, and the Optional Retirement Program; and
Whereas
it is the New York State Legislature’s intent to provide equity among New York
State public retirement systems to the greatest extent practicable; and
Whereas
the Legislature has enacted a Cost of Living Adjustment to provide inflation
protection for retirees in the eight major New York State public retirement
systems, including those mentioned above; therefore be it
Resolved, that NYSUT
study the issue of Inflation Protection Equity for retirees in the Optional
Retirement Program, and develop such specific legislative proposals as may be
appropriate.
back to
TOP
Resolution on the Regents English
Examination
Submitted by: Professional Staff
Congress
Whereas
a large number of new immigrants enter the educational system in New York State
at the secondary level; and
Whereas
New York State now mandates passing scores on a series of Regents examinations
to fulfill graduation requirements; and
Whereas
advocacy groups such as the New York Immigration Coalition have expressed
concerns about the effects of standardized tests, especially the Regents English
Examination, on the graduation rates of high school students who have been
designated English Language Learners (i.e., students of limited English
proficiency); and
Whereas
many public institutions of higher education in New York State offer intensive
instruction in English as a Second Language (ESL) to students otherwise
academically prepared to begin some college work; and
Whereas
many university-level ESL programs have begun to offer paired and linked courses
which simultaneously present English language skills and traditional
college-level, academic coursework; and
Whereas
the City University of New York (CUNY) offers a CUNY Language Immersion Program
(CLIP), which is subsidized by the State of New York, and which accepts students
of highly limited English proficiency into intensive (25 hours a week) programs
designed for beginning-level students; and
Whereas
the number of ESL students at CUNY has fallen dramatically in the last seven
years; and
Whereas
CUNY and the New York City Board of Education have worked consistently in the
past decade to facilitate the "seamless" transition from high school to college;
and
Whereas
many students of limited English proficiency cannot achieve the designated cut
scores for the New York State English Regents English Examination and therefore
cannot graduate from New York City high schools, despite being academically
prepared in other areas; therefore be it
Resolved, that the New
York State United Teachers establish a committee to research the effects of the
New York State Regents examinations, in particular the English examination, on
the rates of high school graduation and college admission among students who are
designated ESL, English Language Learner (ELL), or Limited English Proficiency (LEP).
back to
TOP
Resolution on High Stakes Tests
Proposed by: Professional Staff Congress
Whereas
there is growing national concern that standardized tests are being overused and
misused by college admission’s offices; and
Whereas
Fairtest and women’s and civil rights’ organizations have stated that
standardized tests, particularly the SAT, are poor predictors of college success
for women and students of color; and
Whereas
institutions of higher education such as the California State University have
proposed that the SAT no longer be used for purposes of admission; and
Whereas
there is evidence that the ACT is being misused as a placement and exit
instrument at the City University of New York; and
Whereas
the focus on standardized tests for assessment, as opposed to teacher judgment,
has fueled the "standards" movement; and
Whereas
the use and misuse of such instruments prevent the admission of students who
otherwise qualify; therefore be it
Resolved, that NYSUT
establish a policy committee to review the content and use of standardized tests
for admission and placement purposes at the public colleges and universities in
New York State. In particular, the committee is to monitor and report the misuse
of standardized, high-stakes assessments and to inform the public when tests are
misused for purposes other than for which they are developed and designed; and
be it further
Resolved, that NYSUT
work to ensure that standardized tests are developed and used in a manner
consistent with the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing (APA
Guidelines) published jointly by the American Educational Research Association,
the American Psychological Association, and the National Council on Measurement
in Education.
back to
TOP
Resolution on Standardized Testing
Proposed by: Bill Crain and Susan
DiRaimo
Whereas
standardized tests can provide useful information but have in the past decade
come to excessively dominate education in the elementary and secondary grades;
and
Whereas
standardized testing plays a gatekeeper role in college and graduate school
admissions that too frequently exceeds the reliability and validity of the
tests; and
Whereas
standardized testing encourages teachers to gear instruction to tests rather
than using their own judgments about curriculum and students' needs; and
Whereas test-driven
instruction commonly consists of tedious exercises and drills and inhibits
learning; and
Whereas
standardized tests consistently yield lower scores among students of color which
contributes to increased drop-out rates;
therefore, be it
Resolved, that NYSUT
oppose the dominance of standardized testing in Education; and be it further
Resolved, that NYSUT
maintain that no school district or public institution of higher learning should
be required to make any high-stakes decision on the basis of a standardized test
score alone.
back to
TOP
Resolution on Indoor Air Quality
Proposed by: Professional Staff Congress
Whereas
the quality and supply of indoor air is a major factor supporting healthy and
productive learning environments; and
Whereas
many public schools and colleges, especially in urban centers, have self-
contained Heating and Ventilation Systems (HVAC) which do not provide an
adequate supply of fresh air to classrooms and work areas; and
Whereas
the construction authority of many public schools and colleges through
subcontracting for such systems too frequently does not install the optimum
equipment; and
Whereas
the administrations of many public schools and colleges are not provided
sufficient funding for trained staff to maintain indoor air systems (HVAC); and
Whereas the
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
has published standards for circulation of indoor air; therefore be it
Resolved, that the NYSUT work to enact
state legislation to ensure that all new construction meet the ASHRAE standards
of 20 cubic feet per minute (CFM) per person of fresh air in all classrooms,
laboratories and work areas; and be it further
Resolved, that NYSUT work to ensure that state
agencies appropriate adequate funds to provide for the installation and
maintenance of heating and ventilation systems in all new construction of public
schools and colleges; and be it further
Resolved, that NYSUT
work to enact legislation to ensure that all existing public school and college
buildings that do not meet the standard be retrofitted to meet the standard
within three (3) years.
back to
TOP
Resolution for Paid Family Leave
Submitted by: Professional Staff
Congress
Whereas
many working people are extremely stressed by the routine time constraints of
trying to meet their work and family responsibilities; and
Whereas
such conflicting demands are even more acute at the birth or adoption of a child
or when a child, spouse, domestic partner or parent has a serious illness; and
Whereas
the Federal Family Medical and Leave Act only provides for unpaid leave; and
Whereas
many working people cannot afford to use unpaid family leave; and
Whereas
some states and a number of union contracts already offer some paid family leave
for childbirth, adoption or serious illnesses of family members, including
domestic partners; and
Whereas
women have been the primary caretakers within their immediate and extended
families, broadly defined; and
Whereas
women now participate in the paid labor force at almost the same rate as men;
and
Whereas
employers have made very few accommodations to these dramatic changes in the
labor force and its impact on families; and
Whereas
it is in the interest of employers to reduce the stress employees have between
work and home responsibilities; and
Whereas
reducing such stress benefits employers and employees; and
Whereas
the cost is modest if funded through an insurance mechanism specifically
designed for family leave as outlined in the FMLA; therefore be it
Resolved, that NYSUT
urge the New York State Legislature to include up to 12 weeks paid family leave
as a benefit to public and private employers with over 50 employees; and be it
further
Resolved, that the
cost of paid family leave, at the rate of 80% of full pay, be borne by insurance
supplied by employers with 50 or more employees; and be it further
Resolved, that
employees who use paid or unpaid family leave not be subject to any loss of
standing when they return to work.
back to
TOP
Resolution on Funding for CUNY’S
Technical Programs
Submitted by: Professional Staff
Congress
Whereas
in addition to severe equipment needs, CUNY’s colleges are desperately short of
full-time College Lab Technicians (CLTs); and
Whereas
in addition to the obvious academic and health and safety issues caused by this
high ratio of part-time/full-time CLTs, there is also a severe budget problem
created by the large number of adjunct CLTs; and
Whereas
CUNY Colleges’ technical programs are chronically short of funds to purchase
large-scale program specific equipment; and
Whereas
an insufficiency of technical equipment and a shortage of full-time College Lab
Technicians vitiates the quality of the academic experience for students in
technical areas; and
Whereas
CUNY’s instruction staff model does not fund the adjunct CLTs, their
salaries become a drain on the colleges’ already strained budget; therefore be
it
Resolved, that NYSUT lobby for funding to
address the College Laboratory Technician shortage.
back to
TOP
TIAA/CREF Equity with TRS
ERI and Veteran’s Benefit
Submitted by: Professional Staff
Congress
Whereas
NY State has enacted legislation offering United States military veterans in the
Teachers Retirement System the opportunity to purchase up to three years pension
credit, for veterans of military service rendered during conflict, upon their
retirement; and
Whereas
this credit provides a lifetime annuity of 3% of the pensionable salary for each
year (and fraction thereof) of military service up to a limit of 3 years; and
Whereas
Optional Retirement Plan members were excluded from that legislation; and
Whereas
TIAA/CREF is able to provide a lifetime annuity for its members upon retirement
and to determine the cost thereof; and
Whereas
it is unfair and discriminatory to provide a pension benefit to a portion of the
staff to the exclusion of others similarly situated; therefore be it
Resolved, that NYSUT
seek legislation that requires an identical benefit be provided to all veterans
that are ORP participants in CUNY and SUNY upon their retirement; and be it
further
Resolved, that ORP
participants be offered the opportunity to obtain an annuity identical to the
one offered to TRS participants and to contribute to the cost thereof at the
same rate as TRS participants.
back to
TOP
Delegate Assembly Resolutions
November 21, 2002
Resolution: Master Plan Amendment
Whereas the NY State Board of Regents will vote on Dec. 12 or 13 on whether
to continue the CUNY Master Plan Amendment, which bars students with any
remedial needs from admission to the university’s bachelor’s degree programs;
Whereas neither SUNY, nor the vast majority of the nations public colleges,
has such an exclusionary admissions policy; and
Whereas it is unfair to deny CUNY’s prospective students, who are often from
poor families and are predominantly students of color, the same opportunities as
students at SUNY and nationwide; and
Whereas data from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights
indicate that the policy is disproportionately turning away qualified students
of color from CUNY’s bachelor degree programs; and
Whereas the CUNY Administration had failed to show that the tests used to
bar students from the bachelor’s degree programs predict success in CUNY courses
sufficiently well to meet the customary standards of test validity; now
therefore be it
Resolved, that
the PSC-CUNY urge the Regents to direct CUNY to develop a bachelor’s degree
admissions policy that is not racially and ethnically discriminatory, as well as
more flexible and valid; and be it further
Resolved, that
the PSC-CUNY support the University Faculty Senate and the Friends of CUNY
proposal to allow otherwise qualified freshman applicants with a remedial need
in only one area to enroll in the bachelor’s degree programs, with the students
receiving all the necessary academic support and a year to erase the deficiency.
back to
TOP
Resolution: Call for a Public Hearing
On CUNY Master Plan Amendment
Whereas the CUNY Master Plan Amendment mandates an admissions policy that
has significant effects on the students of our city and raises issues of social
justice; and
Whereas the New York State Board of Regents plans to vote in December 2002,
without any public hearing on the continuation of the Master Plan Amendment;
and
Whereas the New York State Education Department (SED) has conducted campus
site visits and has analyzed CUNY data with respect to the Master Plan
Amendment, and the SED has reported most of its findings to the Regents; and
Whereas the Regents nevertheless have not heard from a wide range of
students, faculty, staff, and community groups that have a major stake in the
university; now therefore be it
Resolved, that
the PSC-CUNY call upon the New York State Board of Regents to hold a New York
City public hearing on the continuation of the Master Plan Amendment.
back to
TOP
Resolution Protesting Creation of Non-Teaching
Instructional Staff Lines Outside Bargaining Unit
Whereas the Delegate Assembly of the Professional Staff Congress is
representative of the entire instructional staff, and
Whereas the University is attempting to
fragment the instructional staff and diminish the status of the non-teaching
instructional staff by creating and hiring on CUNY Civil Service and other union
(non-PSC) titles, persons whose positions were previously held by members of the
bargaining unit, and
Whereas the University is eroding the
academic integrity of departments and the professional partnership amongst
faculty, college laboratory technicians, and higher education officers by
replacing their titles with administrative civil service titles, and
Whereas the new CUNY civil service and
other union (non-PSC) positions are replacing PSC instructional staff functions,
Therefore, Be it resolved that the PSC Delegate Assembly directs its
officers to continue to oppose efforts by management to hire or appoint
instructional staff to non-PSC titles that add to the formation of a contingent
work force at CUNY, and
Be it further resolved that the PSC Delegate Assembly reaffirms the
rights of the Professional Staff Congress to enter into negotiations with CUNY
prior to the creation, reallocation, or conversion of any instructional
positions to administrative CUNY Civil-Service and other union (non-PSC) titles
that erode the membership of the PSC, and bypass CUNY By-Laws, the tenure
system, and college and departmental procedures.
Submitted by
Ellen P. Steinberg
back to
TOP
Delegate Assembly Resolution
September 19, 2002
Resolution on the Use of U.S. Military Forces to Invade Iraq
Presented by Peter Roman, Hostos Community College To the PSC Delegate Assembly
Passed by the PSC Delegate Assembly September 19, 2002
Whereas: The Bush Administration is about to submit a Resolution to Congress
allowing for the use of United States military forces to invade Iraq. A
military invasion of Iraq would be a violation of international law, the U.N.
Charter and United States law.
Be it resolved that:
The PSC contact the United States Senators and Members of Congress from New York
State and request that they vote against the Resolution.
The delegates and officers of the PSC urge all PSC members to call their local
Members of Congress and Senators to state their opposition to this Resolution
and ask them to vote against it.
The phone numbers for the U.S. Senators from New York are as follows:
Hillary Clinton
212-688-6262
Charles Schumer
212-486-4430
back to
TOP
Delegate Assembly Resolution
May 30, 2002
Resolution OPPOSING EXPANSION OF US MILITARY CAMPAIGNS IN A
PERMANENT AND UNCONDITIONAL "WAR ON TERROR"
Whereas we write as New Yorkers, as unionists and as people who have
dedicated their professional lives to open discussion of complex questions; and
Whereas our location in New York means that we have felt and continue to
feel the effects-ranging from minor dislocations to profound grief-of the
murderous attacks of September 11th , and that we take seriously the danger of
future attacks; and
Whereas the members of the Professional Staff Congress were among the many
people who responded magnificently to the catastrophe and who suffered terrible
loss that day: eight of our members died in the attack, as did numerous family
members and friends, at least 30 of our students and 161 alumni of the City
University of New York; and
Whereas President Bush, in his January 29, 2002 State of the Union address
stated that "our war on terror is well begun, but it is only begun," and Vice
President Dick Cheney has said it is possible that the war might be expanded to
"forty or fifty other countries," possibly lasting "fifty years or more"; and
Whereas President Bush, speaking in Germany on May 23, 2002, called the
Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein "a threat to all civilization" and appealed to
German legislators for help "in waging a wider war on terrorism," (The New York
Times, 5/23/02); and
Whereas with military spending already accounting for nearly one-fifth of
the total federal budget and over half of all Congressional discretionary
spending, President Bush's proposed military budget of $396 billion, coupled
with current tax policy, will create austerity for working people and
disinvestment in education, health care, environmental safety and other human
needs; and
Whereas the Bush Administration has sharply limited civil liberties and
access to information since September 11th: Freedom of Information Act policies
have been revised to restrict access for journalists, scholars and others;
Congress passed the USA-PATRIOT Act, which permits breakage and entry without
court orders, expansion of wiretaps, imprisonment of suspected terrorists
without trial, and secret military tribunals; and
Whereas public discussion in the United States of the way to create domestic
security has been narrowly focused on war, neglecting issues that contribute to
domestic insecurity such as US foreign policy, the consequences of
globalization, inequities in the distribution of wealth, and others; and
Whereas modern weapons mean that heavy loss of civilian life is now an
intrinsic part of war, not an accidental consequence: according to the United
Nations Conference on Children, 90% of war casualties are now civilian, as
opposed to 5% during World War I; and
Whereas we as a union have engaged in a two-month period of discussion on
the position the PSC should take on the current military policy of the US
government, using chapter meetings, the Delegate Assembly, chapter newsletters,
the union newspaper and the website to conduct a vigorous and democratic debate;
and
Whereas members expressed many different points of view in the discussion,
but consistently raised three themes: condemnation of the terrorist attacks,
concern about security and the domestic consequences of war, and opposition to
expansion of war; therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Professional Staff Congress reaffirm the
Resolutions it passed unanimously on September 20, 2001, which condemned the
terrorist attacks of September 11th , extended sympathy to those grieving for
people they loved, and offered solidarity with fellow workers in a time of
mourning; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Professional Staff Congress oppose the
unconditional expansion of military campaigns by the United States as a
substitute for a strategy in response to September 11th that would genuinely
protect collective security and individual freedom, in a manner consistent with
our Constitutional principles; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Professional Staff Congress call for a
broad public discussion of how to create real and lasting security that goes
beyond war as the only solution, considering such issues as US foreign policy,
the consequences of globalization, and inequities in the distribution of wealth;
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Professional Staff Congress oppose the
federal funding priorities that cannot be separated from a commitment to
expanded war and permanent militarization: austerity for labor and disinvestment
in education, health care, environmental safety and other human needs; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Professional Staff Congress oppose the
curtailment of civil, human and immigrant rights and of academic freedom for
both students and faculty that is also directly related to expansion of war and
permanent militarization; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Professional Staff Congress continue the
union discussion begun this spring on war and related issues at chapter and
university-wide meetings during the 2002-03 academic year, for such a discussion
will strengthen us as a union, deepening our practice of democracy and
participating in the richest tradition of unionism; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Professional Staff Congress bring this or a
similar Resolution to the labor, academic and community groups with which it is
affiliated, calling on them to take the lead in proposing an agenda that frees
all people from terror and promotes peace through justice.
[NOTE: Two months of
debate preceded this Resolution. Discussion took place at the chapters, in
the pages of the May Clarion and on
this Website. Click here for materials
provided on this Website to promote debate.]
back to
TOP
Delegate Assembly Resolution
April 25, 2002
Resolution in Support of the United Faculty of Florida Chapter at the University
of South Florida in Tampa
Whereas
the newly appointed Board of Trustees and President, Dr. Judy Genshaft, of the
University of South Florida, have acted to dismiss a tenured faculty member, Dr.
Sami
Al-Arian, on spurious charges of disrupting the university and insubordination,
and
Whereas
the faculty member was not afforded
the right to see evidence against him, to present his side of the story, to
cross examine witnesses, or even to be present at the “emergency” Board of
Trustees meeting at which the President was instructed to fire him, thus
depriving him of any semblance of due process, and
Whereas
the charge of disruption stems not
from any action of Dr. Al-Arian’s but from threats made against him, and the
charge of insubordination stems from his one-time presence on the campus in
alleged violation of a disputed verbal order banning him, and
Whereas
this threat to academic freedom and
the First Amendment has all the hallmarks of a politically motivated attack on
the personal views of a member of the university community uttered extramurally,
and
Whereas
our brothers and sisters at the
United Faculty of Florida are defending their colleague’s right to voice his
convictions in public without fear of reprisal, and are therefore defending the
rights of all members of the larger academic community,
THEREFORE,
be it resolved, that we join in
solidarity with them in their struggle (and donate $100 in support of their
efforts), and ask our president to urge the executive council of the American
Federation of Teachers to join in support of the United Faculty of Florida.
For consideration by the Solidarity Committee on March 18, 2001
For consideration by the Delegate Assembly on March 21, 2002
Passed by the Delegate Assembly April 25, 2002
back to
TOP
Resolution ON JOINING THE CIVIL SOCIETY NETWORK
FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION IN THE AMERICAS
Whereas
CUNY, like other public institutions of higher education throughout the United
States, Canada, and the Western Hemisphere, has suffered severe cutbacks; and
Whereas
these cutbacks stem from the economic policies of austerity, privatization, and
deregulation; and
Whereas
the process of creating a Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), like the North
American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) before it, threatens a radical expansion
of investment and trade in private, commercialized education services, at the
expense of public education in the hemisphere; and
Whereas
teachers’ unions and other educators’ organizations have conducted research,
proposed alternatives, and taken common action to alleviate the harmful results
of such policies; and
Whereas
the Civil Society Network for Public Education in the Americas/CSNPEA (Red
Social para la Educacion Publica en las Americas/Red SEPA) conducts such
research, develops communication networks and publication, holds conferences on
the impact of these neoliberal policies on education throughout the Americas,
proposes alternative approaches consistent with strong and democratic public
education systems, and helps to mobilize educators, students and others in
support of democratic and public education; and
Whereas
the CSNPEA/Red SEPA plans an October 2002 Continental Campaign to defend public
education in the Western Hemisphere;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the
PSC-CUNY becomes a member of the Civil Society Network for Public Education in
the Americas and participate in the Continental Campaign.
Resolution drafted by members of the International Committee: Electa Arenal,
Renate Bridenthal (convenor), Jack Hammond, John Mineka, Tony O’Brien and Peter
Ranis.
Passed by the EC April 4, 2002
Passed by Delegate Assembly April 25, 2002
back to
TOP
Resolution IN
SUPPORT OF “JOURNEY OF HOPE”
Resolution to the Delegate Assembly – 04/25/02
Submitted by: Susan Schindler, Department of Mathematics, Baruch College
Passed by the PSC Delegate Assembly 04/25/02
Whereas
in recent weeks and days, grave concerns about the implementation of the
death penalty have been raised by the exoneration of the 100th death
row prisoner in the United States; and,
Whereas
the Illinois panel commissioned by Governor Ryan of Illinois called for a
sweeping overhaul in that state’s death penalty system and a majority of members
of that panel called for an outright abolition of the death penalty; and,
Whereas
numerous studies have documented many problems with the fairness,
specifically racially discriminatory applications, in the implementation of the
death penalty in the United States; and,
Whereas
New York State now has a death penalty statue.
Although there have been no executions under this statue, there are
currently 6 prisoners on death row in this state; and,
Whereas
there are problems with the legal process, including inequities in
determining when the death penalty is sought by prosecutors and a reduction in
funding of the state’s Capital Defender Office; and,
Whereas
a pending Resolution in the New York City Council urges a moratorium on the
death penalty; and,
Whereas
members of the “Journey of Hope: From Violence to Healing,”* parents and
children of murder victims who oppose the death penalty, will be appearing in
New York City over the next few days along with people exonerated after spending
years in prison, convicted of murder; and,
Whereas
the PSC wishes to encourage further discussion of this issue; and,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Professional Staff Congress goes on
record in support of events that promote a dialogue on the death penalty,
including the Journey of Hope, and urges its members to attend a Journey of Hope
event.
*Click
HERE
for Journey of Hope information sheet
back to
TOP
Resolution ON REFUNDS AND REINSTATEMENT OF UNION DEDUCTIONS TO THOSE IN EXCLUDED
STATUS
Whereas
an individual hired or
appointed to an excluded status, may erroneously continue to have dues/fees
deducted from his/her paycheck; when an exclusion is removed, union deductions
are not always reinstated promptly,
Whereas
individual college
payroll offices, and the City University of New York Central Office are
responsible for stopping and reinstating dues/fees deductions,
Whereas
individual college
payroll offices and CUNY Central Office have not always been prompt and timely
in the processing of exclusions and union restatements,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED,
that the PSC shall process exclusions based upon proper notification from the
Office of Faculty and Staff Relations, and upon timely receipt (as defined
within) by a written request by the individual or college representative once
the erroneous dues/fees deductions have ceased.
Refund requests shall be directed to the PSC Membership Coordinator.
Refunds will be processed retroactively for no more than four months
prior to the effective date of the exclusion.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED;
that the PSC shall insist that CUNY make every effort to expeditiously reinstate
union deductions (dues/fees) from those who have had their exclusions removed
since the untimely filing of this paperwork causes loss of revenue to the PSC.
Passed by
the PSC Delegate Assembly on April 25, 2002
This policy shall become effective June 1, 2002
back to
TOP
Delegate Assembly Resolution
March 21, 2002
Resolution RE:
RESCINDING LETTER OF AGREEMENT OF DECEMBER,
1998 REQUIRING TIMESHEETS FOR ADJUNCTS
Whereas
after the vote by the membership on the contract in 1998, a "letter of
understanding" was agreed to between the then Executive Director, Dr. Frank
Annunziato and his counterparts at CUNY. The agreement was signed by Dr.
Annunziato in December 1998.
Whereas
the December agreement stated, in part,
"Effective January 28, 1999, all
non-teaching adjuncts and continuing education teachers in both the senior and
community colleges may be required to fill out biweekly time
sheets to verify hours worked and will be paid on an hourly basis for the hour
actually worked and submitted on the time sheets.
Whereas
thereafter, a system of "timesheets" signed biweekly by non-teaching adjuncts
and continuing education teachers was put into effect in January 1999 and has
been extended to include teaching adjuncts at some community colleges.
Whereas
for many years, prior to this agreement, non-teaching adjuncts and continuing
Whereas
for many years, prior to this agreement, non-teaching adjuncts and
continuing education teachers and teaching adjuncts at community colleges were
not only deemed trustworthy but diligent enough by their supervisors,
departments and colleges to be continually rehired. There was no need for this
"letter of agreement" which was never ratified by the membership as a whole.
Whereas
these "timesheets" have not only been demeaning to the adjunct faculty but
often result in continually delayed payments. (The "timesheets" must not only be
signed by the adjunct, then by the supervisor who then returns it to the adjunct
and then must be transported to the payroll office. The process may take many
days to complete.)
And,
Whereas these "timesheets" have also created vast paper bureaucracies in
which design and develop of the color-coordinated "sheets" becomes important,
clerical time is wasted to create, print, collect, and file the "sheets" as well
as transmit the information to Albany. Additionally, since these are public
documents, there are costs of file cabinetry and certainly rental space for
storage of these paper files. Oddly, during all this paper production since
1999, college academic departments find their budgets for Xerox & computer paper
cut to the bone.
And,
Whereas the Chancellor now endeavors to create administrative efficiencies,
Therefore Be It Resolved, that the
PSC-CUNY Delegate Assembly calls upon the PSC leadership, in order to properly
represent a large group of its adjunct membership, to press for the cessation of
"time sheets" which were imposed by management.
back to
TOP
Delegate Assembly Resolution
February 28, 2002
Resolution
in Defense of the PSC Leadership’s
Stand on Dissent and Academic Freedom
Presented by Steve Leberstein, Manny Ness and Miriam Thompson for the
February 2002 Delegate Assembly
Whereas the leadership has shown strength and resilience in guiding the
union’s diverse constituencies’ efforts to influence the mission and course of
the public university, and
Whereas the leadership has steadfastly championed the right of the CUNY
student body and its faculty and staff to academic freedom and uncensored public
discourse about major public policy issues, and
Whereas the leadership has been attacked for the principled stand in
defending our members when they were vilified by the press, the Chancellor, the
Board of Trustees and the Mayor for questioning government policy, and
Whereas the leadership tried to temper the stance of the University
administration at a time when questioning of the government and dissent were
imperiled, and to protect the welfare of its students, staff and faculty by so
doing; now therefore be it
Resolved, that the Delegate
Assembly express its support for the PSC leadership’s defense of the First
Amendment and our members’ and students’ academic freedom.
back to
TOP
Delegate Assembly Resolutions
December 20, 2001
NOTE:
A number of the Resolutions at the 12/20/01 were prepared for presentation at
the 2002 NY State United Teachers (NYSUT) Representative Assembly. Click
HERE
for a Word document of the final, edited
versions of those Resolutions as submitted to NYSUT.
Resolution to Reaffirm Support of Open
Admissions (Expires in 2002)
Submitted by PSC-CUNY, Local 2334
Whereas the New
York State United Teachers adopted the following Resolution in its original
form; therefore be it
Resolved, that NYSUT reaffirms its commitment to
Open Admissions; and be it further
Resolved, that NYSUT pledges to work to
strengthen remedial and ESL programs at CUNY and SUNY community colleges and to
achieve optimum conditions for the transition from high school to college for
New York State students.
back to
TOP
Resolution to Reaffirm Support for
Academic Freedom (Expires 2002)
Submitted by PSC-CUNY. Local 2334
Whereas the New
York State United Teachers adopted the following Resolution in its original
form; and
Whereas the work
of faculty at the City University of New York and State University of New York
relies upon a commitment to academic freedom; and
Whereas academic
freedom has been undermined and challenged in the aftermath of the September 11,
2001 attacks on the United Sates; and
Whereas it is
essential to scholarship, research and teaching at the university level;
therefore be it
Resolved, that NYSUT reaffirm its belief that
higher education in New York State maintain an atmosphere of academic freedom
which encourages individuals, in the words of the State University of New York’s
motto, " To Learn - To Search – To Serve," by offering forums where issues of
diversity are explored in an environment of safety and mutual respect for all
participants, and be it further
Resolved, that NYSUT oppose attempts to subject
university activities to political or ideological screening by groups within or
without the university community; and be it further
Resolved, that NYSUT reaffirm its support for
the principle that the individual and collective professional judgment of the
faculty, in accordance with the principle of academic freedom, is the best
guarantor of intellectual quality.
back to
TOP
Resolution on High Stakes Testing
(Passed June DA, reaffirm)
Submitted by PSC-CUNY
Whereas
standardized testing has become a growth industry with too great an influence
over classroom practice and curriculum; and
Whereas
standardized tests have become a gatekeeper that unduly influence educational
decisions; and
Whereas decisions
based upon such tests may irrevocably direct the course of education for an
individual; and
Whereas
standardized tests have been criticized for more than twenty years as culturally
biased against women and students of color; and
Whereas the
increasing use of high stakes tests has provoked a backlash against standardized
testing by parents, student advocates, educators and scholars who are calling
for multiple measures of testing as well as fairness and accuracy in testing;
therefore, be it
Resolved, that the New York State United
Teachers seek to work with the New York State Department of Education to promote
multiple assessments, including portfolios and other forms of authentic
assessment, as fair and valid measures of students’ academic achievement, and be
it further
Resolved, that the New York State United
Teachers seek State legislation to allow school districts to develop and
implement alternative assessment procedures, and be it further
Resolved, that the New York State United
Teachers, working with its affiliate the American Federation of Teachers, seek
federal legislation that requires fairness, accuracy in high stakes testing, and
alternative means of assessment.
back to
TOP
Resolution to Reaffirm Support for
Workers’ Compensation (Adopted by the 2001 RA)
Submitted by PSC-CUNY, Local 2334
Whereas the New
York State United Teachers adopted the following Resolution in its original
form; and
Whereas Workers’
Compensation is vital to the well being of contingent labor as well as full-time
workers; therefore be it
Resolved, that NYSUT continue to emphasize its
commitment to Workers’ Compensation
Resolved, that NYSUT actively support
legislative and regulatory efforts to improve the workers’ compensation system
for workers and to fight efforts to diminish benefits, rights and access to
workers’ compensation, and direct its legislative department to work toward this
end and that, in addition, copies of this Resolution be sent to members of the
legislature and to the New York State AFL-CIO.
back to
TOP
Resolution on Workers’ Compensation for
CUNY Adjuncts (Passed June DA, reaffirm)
Submitted by PSC-CUNY, Local 2334
Whereas the City
University of New York has not yet recovered from the financial emergencies of
1976 and 1995 that forced the retrenchment and retirement of full-time faculty;
and
Whereas during
the three decades, adjuncts have become a significant portion of the teaching
power of the City University of New York; and
Whereas the City
University of New York relies upon adjuncts to be available for the fall and
spring semester; and
Whereas adjuncts
do not have a guarantee of future employment, nor employment between semesters;
and
Whereas adjuncts
should be entitled to the same protections as other workers; therefore be it
Resolved that NYSUT seek legislation to amend
Workers’ Compensation Law, Article 9, Disability Benefits, to eliminate the
exemption of educational institutions from providing mandatory long-term
disability coverage to employees; and be it further
Resolved that NYSUT seek the support of the New
York State AFL-CIO to gain Workers’ Compensation for adjuncts at the City
University of New York.
back to
TOP
Resolution on Full-time Faculty (DA
12/20/01)
Submitted by PSC-CUNY, Local 2334
Whereas as a
result of fiscal exigencies and Early Retirement Incentives, there has been a
loss or more than 50% of the full-time faculty of the City University of New
York over the last three decades; and
Whereas the City
University of New York has been unable to replace full-time faculty at a rate
commensurate with that loss; and
Whereas too few
full-time faculty in a department jeopardizes the accreditation of departments,
programs and colleges; and
Whereas too few
full-time faculty is incompatible with the University’s maintaining first rate
programs and a research university; therefore, be it
Resolved that the New York State United Teachers
seek legislation to ensure a ratio of 70/30 full-time to part-time faculty at
the public senior and community colleges of the State of New York.
back to
TOP
Resolution on CUNY Tuition (DA 12/20/01)
Submitted by PSC-CUNY, Local 2334
Whereas the mission of the City
University of New York is to provide access, excellence and education to all the
people of the City of New York; and
Whereas CUNY too
hastily, too thoughtlessly, and unilaterally determined that it should impose
higher tuition on out-of-status and undocumented students even though they may
have graduated from a New York City high school; and
Whereas thousands
of students will be denied this opportunity if higher tuition is imposed; and
Whereas both the
University Faculty Senate and PSC-CUNY passed Resolutions calling for the State
Legislature to enact statutory changes to maintain the eligibility of
out-of-status and undocumented students who have one or more years of high
school in New York; therefore, be it
Resolved that New York State United Teachers
will support the legislation introduced by Assemblyman Peter Rivera that states
" . . . the board of trustees shall charge the same rate of tuition that is
charged to state residents, to any person who is an alien, if such person:
attended a secondary or high school in the state, and received a high school
diploma from a secondary or high school within the state, or obtained a general
education diploma issued within the state."
back to
TOP
Resolution on STAP/Supplemental Tuition
Assistance Program/ (12/20/01)
Submitted by Susan Di Raimo, Delegate CCNY
Whereas a large
number of students with high school diplomas and GEDs need remedial and
developmental courses; and
Whereas many or
most of these students need financial aid in order to attend CUNY; and
Whereas credit
accumulation requirements for receiving TAP (Tuition Assistance Program)
prevents these students from completing remedial classes in a timely fashion;
therefore, be it
Resolved, that New York State United Teachers (NYSUT)
seek legislation that re-instates STAP so that these students may complete
remedial and developmental courses within one year.
back to
TOP
Resolution on Pension Equity (DA
12/20/01)
Submitted by PSC-CUNY, Local 2334
Whereas members
of Tiers III and IV are no longer required to make a contribution to TRS; and
Whereas members
of Tiers I and II of TRS receive additional credits upon retirement; and
Whereas the
majority of faculty and staff at the City University of New York and the State
University of New York are in the Optional Retirement Program which has not
received a similar benefit; therefore be it
Resolved, that the New York State United
Teachers seek legislation that secures pension equity for the employees of the
City University of New York and the State University of New York who are members
of the Optional Retirement Program; and be it further
Resolved, that the legislation require the
employer to assume the three percent employee contribution for Optional
Retirement Program members with more than ten years of membership in the ORP.
back to
TOP
Resolution on Teachers Retirement System
Pension for Adjuncts (12/20/01)
Submitted by Sylvia Rackow, Delegate Baruch College
Whereas currently
CUNY adjuncts contribute monies to the Teachers Retirement System (TRS) to
receive a pension at retirement; and
Whereas currently
the TRS pension for CUNY adjuncts is based on the number of years of TRS
credited service with 360 hours equal to one (1) year; and
Whereas an
adjunct must generally work one and one half years (1 ½ years) to two (2) years
in order to reach one (1 ) year of TRS credited service; and
Whereas currently
when an adjunct retires the TRS pension is based only on the final year’s
service, i.e. the last 12 months gross salary which does not, in most cases,
equal the 360 hours for one (1) year salary; and
Whereas the
inequity leaves the CUNY adjuncts with a much lower pension than they should
receive, despite having contributed monies to the pension plan, and should be
corrected; therefore, be it
Resolved, that NYSUT seek changes in the TRS
pension plan to reflect proper credit so that the pension is calculated on the
salary earned in the last 360 hours of service.
back to
TOP
Resolution on Part-Timers’ Membership in
the ORP (DA 12/20/01)
Submitted by PSC-CUNY, Local 2334
Whereas
full-time faculty and others have a choice of pension systems, TRS or ORP; and
Whereas
part-timers, a large part of the teaching force of CUNY, are restricted to the
TRS system; and
Whereas
the ORP is a portable system that moves with the employee; and
Whereas
as part-time labor, adjuncts may seek employment elsewhere and would have their
pension plan move with them; therefore, be it
Resolved that New York State United
Teachers will seek legislation to amend New York State Education Law, Article
125A, Section 6250 Definitions to include the various titles of part-timers
(adjuncts) employed at the City University of New York.
back to
TOP
Support for A02354/S2971, Sullivan /Stavisky
Submitted by PSC-CUNY, Local 2334
Whereas A02354/S2971 was introduced in the Assembly by Assemblyman Edward
Sullivan and the Senate by Toby Stavisky; and
Whereas
AO2354/S2971 provides that no Trustee of SUNY or CUNY shall be an employee of
under the supervision of the appointing authorities; and
Whereas the
purpose of the bill is to ensure that said Trustees serve with objectivity,
independence and integrity; and
Whereas A02354
passed in the New York State Assembly on May 14, 2001 and is now in the New York
State Senate; therefore be it
Resolved, that New York State United Teachers
will work for its passage by the New York State Senate and its enactment into
legislation in the 2002 session.
back to
TOP
Delegate Assembly Resolutions
November 29, 2001
Resolution on Increasing Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants
Whereas CUNY’s general counsel has decided CUNY must charge undocumented
immigrants out-of-state tuition instead of in-state tuition in order to bring
the university into compliance with a 1996 federal law; and
Whereas the general counsel’s determination is open to question, since
California and Texas have not decided to respond to the 1996 law in the same way
(NY Times, Nov. 3); and
Whereas undocumented immigrants are generally very poor, are ineligible for
TAP and federal aid, and already work long hours for low-wages to pay the
in-state tuition; and
Whereas the university’s historic mission is to provide opportunities to
the poor and immigrant students; now therefore be it
Resolved, that
PSC-CUNY calls on the Chancellor and the Board of Trustees to halt the
implementation of the new tuition increase for undocumented immigrants and calls
for a much fuller review and open discussion of the university’s policy.
Adopted Unanimously
By the PSC Delegate Assembly
November 29, 2001
back to
TOP
Delegate Assembly Resolutions
October
25, 2001
Resolution IN
SUPPORT OF THE HOSTOS Resolution PASSED ABY THE DELEGATE ASSEMBLY OF THE
PSC-CUNY 10/25/01
Whereas we uphold the first amendment rights of freedom of expression, and
assembly as further embodied in the principles of Academic Freedom; and
Whereas these rights were violated by the arrest of CUNY students and
faculty on the Hostos campus on Wednesday and Thursday, August 15th and 16,
2001; and
Whereas these arrests by-passed the due process and institutional governance
of the College’s Disciplinary Committee; and
Whereas access to the college was denied to credentialed CUNY faculty and
students; and
Whereas those arrests and related actions damaged the fragile image and
reputation of Hostos Community College as an institution of higher learning;
THEREFORE, we respectfully
urge
that the Hostos and CUNY
authorities use their influence to convince the District Attorney to drop the
charges against Mr. Miguel Malo; and
- that Hostos should follow the
proper procedure for dealing with disciplinary actions; and
- that a clear statement of
principles applying to demonstrations and other matters relating to freedom
of expression, assembly, and access be articulated and developed by a task
force representing the entire College constituency; and
- that the Hostos governance
bodies join in establishing an oversight committee to monitor the activities
of Campus Security and ensure First Amendment rights and principles of
Academic Freedom are fully respected on the campus; and
- that the President apologize
to the College community in the spirit of conciliation, cooperation, and
collegiality for by-passing the College’s due process and governance and for
disregarding First Amendment rights and principles of Academic Freedom in
condoning those arrests on our campus.
back to
TOP
Delegate Assembly Resolutions
June 14,
2001
Dues
Restructuring Proposal Passed
At a
special meeting, the PSC Delegate Assembly on
Thursday, June 14 considered the Resolution printed
below. The PSC distributed the Resolution and
a
letter
explaining it to the entire membership in May, held
two
public hearings
and established a discussion board on this Web site
dedicated only to this proposal. After an hour
of debate, the Delegate Assembly approved the
Resolution by a vote of 63 to 3.
Dues/agency fee for
full-time members/employees in titles represented by the PSC
shall be 1.05% of gross income, deducted by the employer,
effective the start of the 2001/2002 school year.
ResolutionS PASSED AT REGULAR 6/14/01 MEETING
Click the following to open or save
as Word documents
REPORTS AT THE REGULAR 6/14/01 MEETING
Click the following to open or save
as Word document
back to
TOP
Delegate
Assembly Resolutions
March 22, 2001
Resolution ON PUBLIC HOSPITAL BUDGET CUTS
Whereas the mission of the New York City public hospitals, currently
directed by the Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC), is to provide the
highest quality health care to all New Yorkers regardless of the individual’s
ability to pay; and
Whereas our city’s public hospitals, while pursuing this mission, have
produced many of the great innovations in medical history, such as the
hypodermic syringe, the emergency pavilion, the hospital-based ambulance
service, mechanical staple sutures, the coronary bypass operation, and
breakthroughs in the treatment of burns, Tay-Sachs disease, and atherosclerosis;
and
Whereas Mayor Rudolph Giuliani has reduced taxes for the wealthy while
steadily slashing the city’s subsidy to the HHC until it has reached its present
amount—zero; and
Whereas HHC President Luis Marcos, a Giuliani appointee, has recently
proposed drastic cuts in the HHC budget which threaten the loss of 4,000
hospital worker jobs in the next four years; and
Whereas the HHC’s financial situation does not justify budget cuts; and
Whereas
President Marcos’s proposed cuts, while perhaps serving his own political
ambitions, will damage workers’ livelihoods and people’s health throughout the
city; and
Whereas the Municipal Hospital Employees Union Local 420, DC37, has held
rallies in protest of President Marcos’s cuts; and
Whereas the PSC-CUNY believes that health care, like education, is a right
shared by all, not just the well-to-do; now therefore be it
Resolved, that
the PSC supports its fellow union workers in their battle against Health and
Hospitals Corporation President Marcos’s proposed budget cuts; and be it
further
Resolved, that
the PSC supports the HHC’s mission of providing the highest quality health care
to all New Yorkers regardless of their ability to pay.
back to
TOP
February 22, 2001
go to Resolution on:
WBAI
TIAA-CREF BENEFITS
Resolution ON WBAI
Whereas
Pacifica Radio was founded in Berkeley, California in the 1940’s by radical
writers and conscientious objectors who wanted a vehicle for speaking out for
peace and social justice, but in recent years the Pacifica National Board has
been increasingly dominated by corporate leaders who seem determined to
centralize control and transform its local stations from grass-roots,
community-based organizations into more commercial, middle-of-the-road stations
that avoid controversy; and
Whereas
in March, 1999, in a move that sparked huge community protests in Berkeley, the
Pacifica National Board fired the station manager and a number of other
producers at the local KPFA station; and
Whereas
on December 22, 2000, the Pacifica Foundation fired WBAI’s station manager,
Valerie van Isler, its program director, Bernard White, and the producer of the
“Wake up Call” and United Electrical shop steward Sharan Harper and banned three
volunteers from the premises; and
Whereas
WBAI’s popular and outspoken reporter Amy Goodman, who is a member of AFTA, has
filed a grievance against the Pacifica Foundation for efforts to censor her
“Democracy Now” program; and
Whereas
on Jan. 31, 2001, the award-winning Daily News columnist Juan Gonzalez quit the
“Democracy Now” program to protest the way that the Pacifica National Board “has
been hijacked by a small clique that has more in common with modern-day
corporate vultures than with working-class America,” adding that the board “has
methodically sought to squash dissent throughout the network” (LA Times, Feb. 9,
2001); and
Whereas
in a letter dated February 5, 2001, veteran WBAI programmer and union activist
Mimi Rosenberg was fired from the station; now therefore be it
Resolved, that
the PSC-CUNY reaffirms its commitment to free speech, the democratic need for a
diversity of opinions, and union solidarity; and be it further
Resolved, that
the PSC-CUNY vigorously protests the recent firings and censorship efforts at
WBAI and calls upon the Pacifica National Board to stop stifling community-based
stations that express radical voices so often muffled in today’s society.
Resolution ON TIAA-CREF BENEFITS
Resolved, that
the Professional Staff Congress approves the concept that retirees in the
TIAA-CREF system should receive an annual benefit similar to the COLA provided
for retirees in the public retirement systems.
The details of such a benefit for retirees in the TIAA-CREF system will
necessarily differ from the COLA provided for retirees in the public systems
because of the different character of these retirement plans.
back to
TOP
November 30, 2000
go to Resolution
on:
Open Admissions
NYU Graduate
Student Organizing
Pre-College
Basic Skills Pilot Programs
John Jay
Resolution ON OPEN ADMISSIONS
Whereas CUNY's historic mission has been to provide a
quality educational opportunity for all the residents of New York City, and
Whereas
CUNY expanded this mandate with the initiation of Open Admissions in 1969. and
Whereas
CUNY's policy of open access has given hundreds of thousands of students from
all walks of life the opportunity for a first-class college education; and
Whereas
CUNY graduates have made significant contributions to the City, State, nation
and world; and
Whereas
CUNY faculty have gained national prominence for their excellence in remedial
and developmental education; and
Whereas
these successes and innovations have been accomplished despite political
attacks, imposition of tuition, implementation of artificial test barriers, and
the wholesale reduction of faculty, staff, and budget; and
Whereas
open access has been decimated by the Board of Trustees' 1999 actions
which have effectively eliminated remediation at the senior colleges and created
"remediation exit exams" at the community colleges; and
Whereas
the attacks on open access threaten the health and vitality of the City's
economy and the upward mobility of a significant segment of City residents: and
Whereas
the attacks on open access have the ultimate impact of undermining CUNY, and
diminishing its educational mission; now therefore be it
Resolved
that PSC/CUNY establish an open access committee whose charge it will be to
promote the historic mission of CUNY in providing remediation, open admissions,
and quality education to all the residents of New York City at a free,
affordable or subsidized level.
Presented by Haig Bohigian, Bill Crain, Susan
DiRaimo
Resolution SUPPORTING
NYU
GRADUATE
STUDENT ORGANIZING
COMMITTEE AT NYU
Whereas the Graduate Student Organizing Committee - United Auto Workers (GSOC-UAW) has been working to organize 1400 graduate
teaching assistants at NYU since 1999; and
Whereas the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), following a lengthy hearing,
has ruled that the graduate teaching assistants are employees of NYU
entitled to collectively bargain with their employer; and
Whereas the NYU graduate teaching assistants voted, in an NLRB run election, by
a margin of 619
to 551 in favor of joining GSOC-UAW; and
Whereas NYU is resisting GSOC-UAW's demand that it commence negotiations, and is
threatening a lengthy battle in the
courts over the students' right to organize,
and
Whereas NYU asserts that it is consulting with the faculty in deterrnining how
to respond to GSOC-UAW's demand to commence negotiations; and
Whereas NYU is promoting the notion, among its faculty, that the unionization of
graduate assistance and the unionization of instuctional staff in gcneral,
would permit "intrusion by collective bargaining into areas of academic
freedom"; and
Whereas the experience of PSC-CUNY has shown that collective bargaining has
served to promote, protect and expand academic freedom,
Therefore,
be it resolved that the officers of PSC-CUNY are authorized to address a
letter to the faculty of NYU, discussing the value of collective bargaining
in the academic setting and the positive experience of PSC-CUNY, and calling
upon the NYU faculty to support
the unionization efforts of GSOC-UAW.
Resolution on Proposed Pre-College Basic Skills Pilot Programs
Whereas
research and experience have amply demonstrated the success of remedial
courses offered in college programs and taught by college faculty, and
Whereas research has shown that
students in need of basic skills instruction required for successful college
study strengthen these skills most effectively in the context of college
study, taking college level courses, taught by college faculty, in a college
environment, and
Whereas the transfer of remedial
courses and programs away from the academic divisions could limit the
ability of those divisions to provide integrated academic content in CUNY's
community colleges and senior colleges with associate degree programs, and
Whereas the removal of such
courses and programs from the academic divisions deprives
students of instruction by the highly qualified, expert professional faculty
of the academic divisions, and
Whereas
instituting Pre-College Basic Skills Programs threatens to further erode
thepolicy of Open
Admissions and its historic tenet of democratic access to public higher
education,
Be it resolved,
that the Professional Staff Congress urges the continued support of remedial
courses and programs within the academic divisions of the colleges and
opposes establishment of the proposed pilot programs to be offered through
divisions of continuing education.
Presented by Anne Friedman/EC/UFS
Resolution 0N JOHN JAY
Whereas John Jay is the lowest funded senior college based
on FTE.
Be it
resolved
that the PSC calls on CUNY administration and the Board of Trustees to rectify
this inquiry in no more than three years, and as a immediate step to provide
for emergency funding to secure all existing substitute lines for the Spring
2001 semester.
Submitted by Haig Bohigian, Chapter
Chair.
Delegate
Assembly Resolutions
September 28, 2000
go to Resolution
on:
Fair Employment
Lori Berenson
Resolution ON FAIR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICE IN HIGHER EDUCATION
Approved unanimously
Whereas throughout the country colleges and universities and their
contractors routinely violate the basic rights of their employees, threatening
all of our rights, and
Whereas a campaign has begun, endorsed by the AFT, the AAUP, other unions,
and various student groups to establish a code of fair employment practices for
colleges and universities,
THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED that PSC/CUNY endorses the code of fair employment practices and
the November 16th hearing to promote it, and urges its members to
attend the hearing, encourage their colleagues and students to do so, and
participate in the campaign for basic employment rights for all higher education
employees.
Presented by Executive Committee,
Queens College Chapter, PSC
back to
TOP
Resolution FOR LORI BERENSON
Approved unanimously
Whereas
Lori Berenson, an American citizen, has been illegally imprisoned by
Peruvian authorities for more than four years, charged with treason and
terrorism, and denied the right of due process, and
Whereas
the Peruvian authorities recently admitted that Lori Berenson was not guilty of
these charges, and
Whereas
the Peruvian government has repeatedly given false information to the media
concerning Lori Berenson’s case, and
Whereas
Lori Berenson is again being forced to submit to an unfair trial in a civilian
court with inadequate legal counsel and under extreme duress, and
Whereas
the admittance of non guilt on the part of the Peruvian authorities demands
her immediate release, and
Whereas
Lori Berenson’s father and our colleague, a longstanding active member of PSC/CUNY
and an outstanding faculty member of Baruch College, was devoted to his students
and to open access, but was forced to retire early in order to seek Lori’s
freedom, and
Whereas
Mark Berenson has asked for our assistance and monetary support,
Therefore Be It
Resolved that the Delegate Assembly of PSC/CUNY call upon President William
Jefferson Clinton, Vice President Albert Gore, the Congress of the United States
of America, the Organization of American States, and all other interested
parties to seek the immediate release of Lori Berenson, and
Therefore Be It
Further Resolved that PSC/CUNY donate $5,000.00 to the Free Lori Berenson
Committee for the purpose of assisting Mark Berenson and Rhoda Berenson with the
defense of their daughter, legal fees, air fare and other expenses.
Presented by
Sylvia Rackow, Delegate, Baruch College
Cecelia McCall, Secretary, PSCcuny
back to
TOP
back to
| HOME
| DOCUMENTS
|
|