Index of Past State of the Union Reports 

HFCC-FT POLITICAL ACTION FUND

            As of November 16, 2007, 86% of the membership had responded to the Local’s request for PAF contributions, donating a total of $17,731 (via pledge or direct contribution) to Local 1650’s Political Action Fund. Local 1650’s Executive Board had recommended that each teacher contribute $100 to our local PAF.  The response so far is lower than in the past, when up to 95% of the membership contributed.

            How will your contributions be used? Local 1650 operates two PAF funds. The first, a “restricted” fund, is used only for local millage/bond elections, Board of Trustees’ campaigns, and the campaigns of municipal and/or State legislative candidates whose decisions impact directly on HFCC revenues. The Local uses the “unrestricted” fund to engage in political activity and to support candidates not so directly involved with the revenues of HFCC but whose decisions definitely affect Local 1650’s ability to represent the interests of its members. Gubernatorial, State Supreme Court, out-state legislative races, and State ballot referenda fall into this category.

            Below is a record of contributions received so far.

            The Executive Board thanks those who have already contributed and thus supported Local 1650’s political efforts to protect their bargaining rights and secure the local and State funding necessary to operate HFCC, maintain instructional quality, and compensate its employees. Additional checks should be made out to HFCC-FT PAF and forwarded to your Area Representative as soon as possible.

HFCC TRUSTEES’ ELECTION

            Joseph Guido and Mary Petlichkoff, two candidates endorsed by Local 1650, have been elected to the HFCC Board of Trustees/Dearborn School Board.

            Joe Guido returns for a third term as Trustee, bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge to the Board.  Mary Petlichkoff has been active in the Dearborn Public Schools and the Dearborn community for many years, serving on many school committees and city commissions, most recently the City of Dearborn Charter Commission.

            The Federation congratulates Mr. Guido and Ms. Petlichkoff and very much appreciates their dedication and service to our College and community.

LOCAL 1650 ELECTION RESULTS

            The following have been elected to Local 1650 Office:

                        Area 1   Counseling, Library, Non-teaching   Maureen Webster

                        Area 3   Technical                                       Todd Browning

                        Area 5   Health Careers/Nursing                  Susan Shunkwiler

                        Area 7   Science                                          Linda Brandt

                        Area 9   Fine Art and Fitness                       Randy Knight

                        Vice-President Internal Affairs                      Betsy Cohn

                        Secretary                                                     Hal Friedman

            The Federation very much appreciates the commitment to Local 1650 of all those who ran for office.  The Federation extends a very special expression of appreciation to five Area Representative who have served the Local admirably but did not choose to run for re-election.  Thank you to Steve Glazer, Jerry Klein, Imad Nouri, Jim Smith, and Marilyn Thibodeau.

            A very special note of appreciation is due Marilyn Thibodeau who is concluding her 26^th year as Area Representative from Nursing.  Marilyn has also served on three Negotiating Teams and countless Federation committees.

1650 DUES INCREASE PASSES

            The Local 1650 membership voted 165 YES, 21 NO in support of the Executive Board’s recommendation to increase the Local’s dues from 1.1% (.011) of contractual salary to 1.3% (.013) of contractual and extra-contractual salary.  The dues increase should take effect with the January 2008 payroll.  As of that date and thereafter, all contractual and extra-contractual compensation will be subject to the 1.3% dues rate.

            The Executive Board very much appreciates the strong support given this recommendation.  The dues increase was necessary to address lost revenue resulting from Voluntary Early Retirement Incentives and increases in state and national affiliation dues.  It will allow Local 1650 to eliminate the Local’s deficit, rebuild a fund balance, and continue to represent the interests of College faculty on campus and in the community.

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT 2008

            An agreement deriving from negotiation of the 2007-2012 contract addressed extending the Flexible Spending Account (FSA) benefit year.

            As HFCC’s Human Resources Office recently informed faculty, in accordance with recent IRS’s regulations, FSA participants at the College will now be able to draw from a concluding calendar year’s unexpended FSA payroll deductions to cover uninsured medical expenses and/or childcare expenses incurred in January 1 through March 15 of the succeeding year, with submission of claims no later than March 31.

            As you calculate your FSA deduction(s) for 2008, keep in mind the impact of unexpended 2007 FSA monies on the period of January 1 through March 15, 2008.  The deadline for filing with Human Resources to participate in FSA for 2008 is December 3.

PIF DRAW REDUCED IN 2008

            Due to significantly increased applications for Professional Improvement Funds (PIF), the reimbursement amount next year may be limited to $500.  Over the years, PIF reimbursement has risen from $500 to &750 to $955.  This was made possible due to limited participation in PIF and limited participation in the 1650 contract’s Tuition Reimbursement Fund, the unexpended monies of which flowed in PIF.

            Even with PIF reimbursement at $500, the Fund may not be adequate to reimburse all requests.  This was often the case in years past.  Consequently, the Federation maintains a rotating PIF Eligibility List.  Faculty receiving PIF reimbursement in one year are rotated in order to the bottom of the list for the following year.  Also keep in mind that receipts for eligible PIF expenditures are good for 24 months.  The application deadline for 2008 PIF is August 15.

            Please note that all PIF applications must be accompanied by: (1) a letter itemizing each expenditure and its cost, (2) appropriate receipts, and (3) a brief explanation of how computer hardware/software will be used in fulfilling professional responsibilities.

HFCC EMPLOYEES GET FORD X-PLAN

            As a result of an inquiry from Local 1650 member Randy Knight; the efforts of Local 1650 President John McDonald’s daughter Mary Gollan, who sponsored HFCC’s request at Ford Motor; and HFCC’s longstanding relationship with Ford Motor, Ford’s Partner Recognition Program is now available to all HFCC employees.

            Partner Recognition offers all of the employees of Henry Ford Community College the ability to purchase or lease eligible vehicles at Ford Motor Company's X-Plan Pricing.  That means savings on new Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Mazda, Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo vehicles.

            Please refer to the November 9 e-mail from HR Director Elizabeth Davis or contact the HR office for information on how to participate in the Ford Partner Recognition Program X Plan opportunity.

LOCAL 1650 HOLIDAY PARTY

Happy Holidays!

Monday, December 10

L-311, 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.