Scholarship, travel, presentation of work – people who teach part-time in the University of Maine System frequently want to participate in such activities but face limited opportunities for help in paying their way.

The Michael Burke Professional Development Fund offers small stipends to help meet those needs. It is named for a longtime adjunct professor who launched the fund while serving as president of the Part-time Faculty Association of Maine (PATFA), Local 4593 of the American Federation of Teachers.

We encourage members to participate in political action events that promote equality and justice in the workplace, not only at the local (state) level, but nationally as well.  Here are two upcoming events, one in Washington, DC, the other in Hartford, CT.  We encourage members to participate.

Events:

• Women’s March on Washington on Saturday, January 21, 2017:  Express your concerns about equity and fairness in the workplace.  Buses are being reserved for anyone who wishes to attend but a seat on the bus needs to be reserved by December 21st.  Information on Bus locations

• Legislative Conference at the Legislative Office Building on Feb 4 (see flyer).  We know it sounds boring, but this event, sponsored by AFT - CT actually is a very insightful event.  It is worth giving up a Saturday morning to attend this conference that features planning and discussion of key public policy issues being addressed by AFT Connecticut and affiliated unions in the General Assembly's 2017 legislative session.

posted 12/19/16

Pension Funding Agreement:
The Pension Funding agreement signed last week still has to go before the legislature.  Generally, Labor/Management agreements are placed on the legislative calendar and will pass after 30 days if there is not a vote on the agreement (the Legislature will convene in January 2017).  In a preview of what's to come, the Republican caucus in both chambers of the legislature are pushing for a vote on the agreement rather than letting it pass without a vote.  The main sticking point for the Republican caucus is that the agreement does not include higher pension contributions from State employees.  Since it was the legislature that underfunded the pension for 70 years, perhaps the next agreement should require current legislators to cough up their salaries to cover the pension liability rather than continuing to demand that current employees pay for the debt the legislature created.  CTMirror article on the political battle

posted 12/19/16

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Here's how to join the Federation of State Cultural & Educational Professionals, Local 2382, AFT, AFL-CIO:

1. Log on to MyWorkplace website
(The icon is on your workplace computer and redirects to you to MyCommonwealth Workplace, the Employee Self Service website.)

2.  Click Payroll Information.

3.  Then click Union Membership.

Pension Funding Agreement:

http://pafaft.nj.aft.org/files/perth_amboy_federation_2015-2018_contract_2.pdf

No Change to Employee Healthcare, Retirement or other Benefits or Contributions

Union leaders and the Governor have arrived at a plan that DOES NOT impact retirement benefits or employee contributions.  This is a pension funding change which will ensure that future pension obligations can be met and the pension system remains stable.  This plan will still need approval from the legislature.