November 26, 2014 Meeting
Agenda
Taft College Faculty Association Agenda
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
- Welcome and Lunch
- Approval of Minutes from October meeting
- Treasurer’s Report
- Cash balance
- Conference expenditures $178.32
- TCFCBC Update
- Division Chair Compensation
- Club Advisor Compensation
- Retiree Health Benefits for new employees
- Other
- Next Meeting: Tuesday January 13, 2015, 12:10pm, Location: Cougar Room (Lunch will be provided)
Minutes
Call to order
President Diane Jones called the meeting to order at 12:13 p.m..
Approval of Minutes
David Layne made a motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Mike Mayfield. The motion was unanimously approved.
Treasurer’s Report
Cash Balance
Treasurer Ruby Payne reported a balance of $11,556.97 after the purchase of the retirement chair for Craig Johnson in the amount of $485.
CCA Conference (Conference Expenditure)
Treasurer Ruby Payne reported she was reimbursed $170.32.
TCFCBC Bargain Update
A). Division Chair Compensation:
President Diane Jones summarized that Vice President of Instruction Mark Williams has met with the chairs three times and that Greg will be scheduling another meeting with division chairs to explore options. Following that meeting, the subcommittee—Kanoe Bandy, Greg Golling, and Craig Johnson—plan to meet with the goal of synthesizing the options developed by the chairs. She further indicated that Williams plans to bring this issue forward by February 2014, and hopefully, a resolution by the end of the academic year.
B). Club Advisor Compensation:
President Jones gave a report on the progress of the subcommittee’s work and mentioned that she planned to bring these options in the December bargaining meeting:
1). Distinguish a non-compensation track club advisor from club advisors receiving compensation.
2). All club advisors—those receiving (and not) receiving compensation—would still follow the ASB application process.
3). However, advisors receiving compensation would submit an advisor consent form that delineates duties, includes a signature, and an activities list to be submitted to the Vice President of Student Services who would provide approval.
4). Compensation would be determined by submitting the meeting agenda, minutes, and activities to the Vice President of Student Services who would review and then sign off for compensation each semester.
President Jones added the bargaining team will research competitive compensation for the December meeting.
Discussion ensued to clarify some lingering questions: how the International Club Advisor position factored into the issue and whether an advisor who exceeds the minimum hours could be compensated with flex credit. President Jones responded that since this position has not been filled in seven years, the money reserved for the International Club Advisor should strengthen the argument for compensation. Additionally, she mentioned that the bargaining committee will be bargaining for a stipend for a specified amount of hours even if an advisor surpasses this amount. She also noted that the extra duty part of being an advisor would be decoupled from substituting for two committee assignments. In addition, President Jones emphasized that the paperwork would not be time consuming.
- C) Retiree Health Benefits:
President Jones reported that this issue is at the beginning stages of information gathering, chiefly waiting for the administration to provide data based on a list of questions. She further reported that the team laid the groundwork for avoiding compromising future employees’ benefits in light of past negotiations, which were about current, not future, employees.
President Jones further explained that the bargaining team is only responsible for 25% of Taft College’s employees and that negotiation might necessitate highlighting that point in response to the administration’s main reason for altering retiree health benefits—reducing its liability. In response to a question on how other districts are handling liability, President Jones explained that Taft College has reduced it, a point that Craig Johnson added has been lowered from 30 to 20 million.
Discussion followed on stressing the importance of providing health care until a retiree reaches 65 and not inadvertently bankrupting those who dedicate their lives to education.
Other
President Jones read a thank you note from Ariella Ortiz, currently majoring in child development at CSUB. She also clarified that SISC does not pay for over-the-counter prescriptions, even though a person can use it for the Flexible Spending account. Also, if there is a drug in the therapeutic class, one might not have to pay. Additionally, she reported on California Casualty’s interest in coming to a meeting, but members voted for Jones to forward the company’s email.
Some members expressed concern over Linda West’s and Clarissa Espino’s replacements since over half of TC students are in distance education. President Jones responded that after a meeting with Mark Williams, Espino’s position will be filled. Some discussion followed on West’s load to ensure that all aspects were addressed during the replacement process.
In addition, Brian Jean asked for clarification about Linda West opting to give money to a scholarship. President Jones responded that she will separate the amount for the scholarship luncheon for $200 and mentioned that if members wanted to review the scholarship amount, it could be renegotiated to account for the difference in price between the chair and the scholarship.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 12: 50pm.
Supporting Docs