EmersonAFEC.com

 

~ Affiliated Faculty of Emerson College ~

 

 

Welcome!

 

Welcome to the Web site for the Affiliated Faculty of Emerson College, American Association of University Professors (AFEC-AAUP). Our Union represents the adjunct faculty of Emerson College, a liberal arts school in Boston, Massachusetts. There are over 200 members in our bargaining unit.

 

The adjunct faculty voted to unionize in 2001 and ratified its first contract with the school in 2004. A new 5-year contract was ratified and signed in 2009.

 

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

 

From the AFEC President to Adjunct Faculty, 2011

 

How the new conditions of employment will work for you

 

You have likely noticed a new aspect to your appointment letter and contract for next semester. The last full paragraph of the appointment letter says that as a condition of employment at Emerson College, you must either make a direct payment arrangement with AFEC-AARP or sign a written authorization of an automatic dues deduction. I'd like to explain what that employment requirement means for you.

 

Why is it there? We won this new employment requirement in our very first collectively bargained contract in 2004 and it is enforced now as a result of our successful membership drive. Sometimes called fair share, our contract's core membership provision requires every faculty member covered by the contract to contribute to the cost of negotiating, administering, and enforcing it. That means that everyone in the bargaining unit must either become a dues-paying union member or pay their fair share to cover the costs incurred by the union on their behalf, given the union's legal responsibility to represent all members of the bargaining unit. This provision makes the union stronger and better able to work on your behalf.

 

Do I have to join a union? No member of the bargaining unit is obliged to become a full member of AFEC-AAUP, but all are required to either join the union or pay the core membership contribution. The membership fee (and core membership contribution) is $40 a semester. The provision does not require anyone to vote on union proposals or to advocate for particular beliefs. We encourage everyone's participation, however, because a union that includes many voices and perspectives is a strong one. If you would like to join, please use this form.

 

What will this requirement mean for me?

  • You don't have to worry about this requirement if you're one of the 149 people who signed a dues deduction union form, at least not until after the new contract is collectively bargained in 2014. Your union dues will be deducted from your paycheck December 15 and April 15 of every semester that you are employed at Emerson College automatically.
  • If you have not signed a dues deduction form and are employed to teach in the Fall 2011 semester, you have several options:
    • Fill out a union dues deduction form and mail it in. It must be RECEIVED by AFEC by October 6th to count for that semester. You only need to fill out the form ONCE until the new contract is collectively bargained in 2014. Your union dues will be deducted from your paycheck December 15 and April 15 of every semester that you are employed at Emerson College.
    • Write a check for $40 for your union dues and mail it in. It must be RECEIVED by AFEC by October 6th. That check must be received within a month of the start of the semester EVERY semester you are employed at Emerson College.
    • Write a check for $40 to pay for your core membership contribution but NOT join the union. It must be RECEIVED by AFEC by October 6th. That check must be received within a month of the start of the semester EVERY semester you are employed at Emerson College.
    • Fail to join the union or contribute to the costs incurred representing you, making you ineligible to be rehired.

 

What's the mailing address? You can send checks and dues deduction forms to David Kociemba either through campus mail (VMA department, 918A Ansin building) or to his current home address, which is 80 Prentiss Street #1, Watertown, MA 02472.

 

What has AFEC accomplished? We have won a great deal of security for all our members. Together, we guaranteed we will have resources to remain an effective organization working on your behalf to:

 

  • represent your interests with department chairs and administrators about campus policies
  • sponsor informational and social sessions
  • maintain an updated website
  • underwrite legal costs associated with members' grievances
  • pursue arbitration in cases where the administration and faculty can't reach a satisfactory resolution together

 

Most importantly, it gives us leverage at the bargaining table. We voted to unionize in 2001 and successfully negotiated our second contract in August 2009. The contract's highlights include:

 

  • You may apply for up to $750 reimbursement for travel costs and fees for conferences, workshops, and festivals. You can find out more at http://ecampus.emerson.edu/programs.
  • You have the security provided by a legally binding grievance procedure, which has already protected the rights of several members.
  • You gain seniority benefits like access to medical and dental plans and a relaxed course cap.
  • Faster seniority advancement by 4 credits.
  • Increased compensation for service as a directed study supervisor or thesis reader.
  • Your pay increases by 2-4% each year to keep pace with each year's rise in Boston's cost of living index. This increase alone covers your membership dues.

 

Think about what we can accomplish together in the future now that we have ensured that the voice defending our contract - the strength of our chapter - never wavers.

 

How do these amounts get set? The amount of the union dues is determined by the Executive Council and ratified by the membership. The amount of the core membership fee is determined by the Executive Council after an examination of the costs of representing members, as determined by a consultation with the Secretary/Treasurer and the national office of the AAUP. For more on this process, see our bylaws. Both amounts are the lowest annual rates in the state for a teacher union.

 

While it is your responsibility to make sure that you have fulfilled your obligations, rest assured that the Executive Council will contact every member of the bargaining unit, new and returning, to remind them of their responsibilities several times. To facilitate that process, please make sure that Anne Doyle, your department and we have up to date contact information.

 

Best wishes,

 

David Kociemba

President, AFEC-AAUP

Email: david dot kociemba at gmail dot com

 

 

 

      (2009-2014)

 

 

 

 

(2001-2009)

  

Copyright - 2011 Affiliated Faculty of Emerson College, American Association of University Professors (AFEC-AAUP)