1650 WELCOMES NEW TEACHERS
The Executive Board of Local 1650 extends a warm welcome to the new teachers on campus. On
Wednesday, September 12, at 3:00 p.m., the Board will hold an orientation meeting for new
faculty in L-311. Local 1650 President John McDonald will discuss aspects of the contract
of particular interest to new teachers, such as the probationary and tenure provisions,
compensation principles, and the fringe benefit package. New faculty will also have an
opportunity to meet the Local 1650 Executive Board over coffee and snacks. Mark the date
on your calendar.
BUDDY'S PIZZA EXTRAVAGANZA
Mark your calendar now it's time for another of those great Friday afternoon Pizza
Extravaganzas! On September 21, from 2:30 to 5:30 PM, you are invited to Buddy's Pizza at
22148 Michigan Avenue in west Dearborn for great food, libations, and conviviality. If you
haven't attended one of these events in the past, you have really missed a great time.
It's a chance to renew acquaintances and meet new colleagues over pizza, salad and
beverages. Please plan to join us.
LEGISLATION ON FACULTY STAFFING STALLED
In each of the last two legislative sessions, the MFT&SRP has had legislation
introduced by State Representative Tony Stamas (R) of Midland calling for a State study of
the conditions under which part-time faculty are hired, evaluated, and function at the
State's community colleges. The Federation believes such a study will reveal the need for
further State funding to increase both full-time positions and dramatically improve the
working conditions of part-time faculty.
On each occasion, with Representative Stamas' strong leadership, the House
supported a State review of full and part-time staffing. On each occasion, Senator Harry
Gast (R) St. Joseph, at the direction of the Michigan Community College Association,
killed the legislation.
The MFT&SRP intends to reintroduce this measure in the next legislative
session, and with term limits terminating Senator Gast's Senate career, the prospects for
this long overdue study may improve. Local 1650 members are urged to thank Representative
Stamas for his support of this study as well as Representative Gary Woronchak (R) of
Dearborn and Representative John Stewart (R) of Plymouth, who were also very supportive of
a State review of full and part-time staffing. The addresses, e-mail, and fax numbers for
these Representatives can be found on the Local 1650 website (hfccft1650.org). From the
Homepage, click on Legislation, then hfcc-ft Legislative Action, and proceed to the bottom
of the page.
John McDonald
WDET PHONETHON
In what has now become an eleven-year tradition, members of Local 1650 will answer phones
for WDET during their on-air fall fundraiser. We will supply phone-answering volunteers
from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 17, during the All Things Considered news
program. In exchange the radio station will recognize Local 1650's efforts both on-air and
in the reports made to Wayne State and others.
The duties of the volunteers are simple. They need only answer the phone and fill out a
card with the pledge information. They do not have to make any sort of sales pitch. Free
parking is available near the station, and carpooling from the College can be arranged if
there is interest. If you are interested in volunteering or would like more information,
please contact Lynne Hensel as soon as possible (A-231, x6404).
LOCAL 1650 ELECTIONS
This fall the positions of Vice-President for Internal Affairs, Secretary and odd-numbered
Area Representatives are up for election. Nominations for the officers' positions will
close at the October 15 membership meeting, and the elections will be held the following
week. Elections for odd-numbered Area Representatives (Area 1 Assisted Learning, Child
Care, Counseling, Library, Placement, and Women's Resource; Area 3 Hospitality and
Technical; Area 5 Health Careers and Nursing; Area 7 Science; Area 9 Fine Arts and
Fitness) will be held at the same time.
If you are interested in running for one of these positions, inform Nancy Widman or your
Area Representative in writing, or have your name placed in nomination at the October 15
membership meeting.
CONTRACT COMMITTEES
Local 1650's three-year contract ends this year, so preparations for negotiating its
successor are now underway. You should have received forms on which to make
recommendations for contract changes. Please send your suggestions to John McDonald's
office, A-201. Two contract committees, one focusing on insurance issues and the other on
everything else, will review these proposals. Do consider joining one of these exciting
(and short-lived) committees. Membership offers an excellent opportunity to learn more
about your contract and its history. The forms for making suggestions for contract changes
and for volunteering for one of the committees is attached.
FALL BOARD OF TRUSTEES ELECTION
Three seats on the HFCC Board of Trustees are up for election this fall. The seven-member
Board is the governing body for both Henry Ford Community College and the Dearborn Public
Schools. Two of the seats are for four-year terms; the third seat is for one year.
Besides the incumbents Alex Shami, Gerald Stockwell, and Pamela Wandless, the
following people are circulating nomination papers for the election: Robert Vincent
Ciavaglia, Deborah Malyn, Rafael Narbaez, Jr., James Schoolmaster, and Jane Schuneman.
Historically, the Local has endorsed and financially supported candidates for the Board of
Trustees. To date, interviews with the candidates have not been scheduled.
MCDONALD APPOINTED TO LABOR AND COMMUNITY BOARDS
John McDonald, President of Local 1650, has added three new board appointments to his
schedule. He will represent the Local 1650 membership on the HFCC Foundation Board. The
HFCC Foundation, under its new Director Joe Hallissey, solicits private support for HFCC
students and programs. McDonald also has been elected to the offices of Vice-president and
President-Elect of the Dearborn Rotary Club. In addition, McDonald has been appointed as
one of four MFT&SRP representatives on the Metro Detroit AFL-CIO Executive Board.
McDonald continues to serve as MFT&SRP Vice-president for Higher Education and
on the Higher Education Program Policy Council of the American Federation of Teachers.
This Council, comprised of 17 members from across the country, advises the AFT Executive
Board on higher education issues.
RCC WORKSHOP
Concerned about the current state of the public schools retirement system? Interested in
hearing from legislators and key officials from the Retirement Bureau and Treasury? Then
plan to attend the Retirement Coordinating Council's fall workshop on Saturday, September
15. This event will feature representatives from Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Delta Dental, and
Vision Services Plan who will answer questions on coverage and claims. The workshop, held
at the Operating Engineers Hall on 24270 W. Seven Mile Road at Telegraph, begins at 8:30
AM and ends with a buffet lunch at 1:15 PM. If you are interested in attending, contact
John McDonald at x9666.
