 
|
Notes on Labor/Management Meetings
September 8, 2005
Present: Jim Dix, Fran Goldman, Dennis Selzner, Joe Schultz, Darryl Wood, Beth Kilmarx, Shelia Doyle, Ann Glossl, Sylvia Hall, Karren Bee Donohoe, Connie Corey, Steve Endres
- Compliance - performance programs/evaluations . Management reported that on or before the October L/M meeting, the compliance rate for performance programs and evaluations will be available.
- Health and safety issues; mold problems; PCB in ballasts update . Individuals from Environmental Health and Safety reported on PCB in ballasts. A previous survey had been done in the mid 1990s that identified all PCB-tainted light ballasts. However, as lighting fixtures were updated, the database was not updated, so all ballasts are now being checked. Of the 15,000 lighting fixtures, about 10,000 contain no PCBs; the status of the other 5000 is not known. The university is in the process of developing an energy survey and will include PCBs in the survey. There is no time line yet for replacement of PBC ballasts. UUP pointed out that two years ago Management said that the PCB ballast replacement would be done by now, and that the lack of completion could be a problem.
Management reported on mold on campus. An individual from Physical Facilities reported there were about 30 rooms in four buildings in Mountainview and one in Dickenson that had mold on carpets this summer. An outside contractor remediated the mold; some carpets were removed and some drywall was replaced. Mold was sampled and found not to be the serious “black mold.” The conditions in the student rooms favored mold formation (ventilation problems, warm humid summer, “media” on carpet). Management will make changes in cleaning procedure to prevent a reoccurrence. The ResLife web site has additional information (http://reslife.binghamton.edu/remediation.shtml).
UUP requested information about other environmental problems on campus. Management reported that there was a water infiltration problem in CIW, and that they are still fixing the problem. The room into which the water leaked was gutted. There was a leak in a janitor's closet in Digman that was fixed. There was no mold present. Management claimed that there was no other building on campus that has environmental issues. Management also stated that they would test for mold anywhere to “appease” people who complain about mold. After repeated questioning by UUP, management admitted that there was a leak problem in a room in Fine Arts. Sodexho, who occupied the room, was moved out.
UUP inquired about a possible cancer cluster in the administration building. Management stated they discussed the possibility with the Broome County Department of Health, who told them there was not a problem. A fact sheet was made up and handed out to people who occupy the administration building.
- Academic freedom and grading - a request for a copy of the SON committee report . UUP was given a copy of the final report of the Provost's Committee that investigated events in the DSON last academic year. UUP thanked Management for the report.
- Retention study - an update. HR has put in place a group that will look into career and professional development. The group will look at retention issues among other things. HR is making retention a priority.
- PT issues - update on brochure and request to discuss methods the university might pursue to increase PT salaries . UUP reported that the brochure for part-timers, worked on jointly by Labor and Management, is 90% complete. The brochure will go on the web first, and then be distributed as hard copy. UUP statewide has declared this year as the Year of the Part-Timer. In view of this, UUP asked Management about the priority they had for increasing the salaries of part-timers as had been done at Delhi , Cortland , and New Paltz. Given the large range of part-time salaries at Binghamton , the goal would be to raise the lower end of the range. Management replied that there is no earmarked money for salary increases for part-timers, and given that utility costs are increasing and the university has made a commitment to hire more full-time faculty, resources for part-timers are not a priority.
- Downtown center - request for update . Management stated that architects are working on the second of four design phases for the building. The construction costs are within budget, and plan on a Fall, 07, target date to open. UUP said that some issues, although not strictly Labor/Management issues, are nonetheless concerns that UUP members have. Some examples are concerns about food service and shuttle service. UUP suggested that Management needs to communicate better about off-campus building projects. Management said that in the ITC, there will be some food service, but no full kitchen. UUP pointed out the need for a centralized source of information about new projects.
- Discretionary Salary Increases - a request re: how the university plans to identify issues of gender equity; compression; other salary concerns. Also, how does the university plan to address them? UUP reported that they had received copies of all Vice-Presidential guidelines regarding the DSI, and thanked management for the copies. UUP requested information about guidelines that Management will use to distribute money that are held back from the published DSI procedures. Management replied that all monies, except for a small amount held back by the President, will be allocated according to published guidelines. Management has no monies specifically earmarked for gender equity, salary compression, etc. If UUP members wish to address these issues individually, they should talk with the Chair, Dean, or Provost.
- Complaints about a specific supervisor. UUP said that it was pleased that HR was responding to UUP's concerns.
- Strategic Plan - see UUP notes for specific questions/answers . Management stated that progress toward goals in the Strategic Plan will be measured by metrics as they become available.
- SOOTs - see UUP notes for specific questions/answers. Management stated that nine years worth of SOOTs are kept electronically by Institutional Research; the files are stored in the computer center; only faculty have access to the data (except for Watson, which is governed by an agreement between UUP and Management). Management said it had no time line to share with UUP; approximately, one year ago Pipe Dream requested under FOIA all SOOTs; Management denied the request on technical grounds; Management granted the modified request Spring, 05. Management stated that they had no policy with regard to access to faculty SOOTs, and that administration could technically access the SOOTs.
- Election day designated holiday to be used day after Thanksgiving - information sharing . UUP requested Management reconsider the choice of Election Day as the ‘floating holiday' to be used after Thanksgiving. It was suggested this might send the wrong message regarding the importance of voting. Management responded that this had been the case for many years and did not believe they were sending this message. Further discussion revealed other November holidays could be used but might be problematic for other reasons.
- Confirmation of constituency of university professional evaluation committee . This information had already been shared with Management. Management thanked UUP for sending this information prior to the meeting.
- Retirees - a committee to review how we interact with our retirees. The committee consists of Sylvia Hall, Paul Parker, Richard Heck, John Vestal, Catherine Sentz, and Ellen Hawley (check spelling of names). The committee will look into such things as discount tickets for retirees at the Anderson Center , and volunteer opportunities.
- Compensatory time for UUP professionals. Management agreed that compensatory time for professionals exists, and that differences with UUP are when compensatory time should be granted. Management said that they had communicated to supervisors about the issues involved in granting compensatory time for professionals as part of requiring offices to be open longer during the first three weeks of classes. UUP suggested an off-the-record conversation to discuss situations in which compensatory time is appropriate.
- Lists required by the UUP Agreement - timing/compliance. Management announced that the list of employees will be available after payroll 11. UUP requested that the list be contiguous.
Archived LM notes:
Feb, 2007 | Jan, 2007 | Dec, 2006
Nov, 2006 | Oct, 2006 | Sep, 2006
Jun, 2006 | May, 2006 | Apr, 2006
Mar, 2006 | Feb, 2006 | Nov, 2005
Oct, 2005 | Oct, 2005 | Sep, 2005
Apr, 2005 | Mar, 2005 | Feb, 2005
Go back to News page
Go back to Home page
|
|
