The Faculty Association of St. John S University

The Faculty Association of St. John’s University

September 2016

Dear Colleagues,

Welcome back to St. John’s. I hope you all had a restful and rewarding summer.

I want to remind you that we are now entering the third and final year of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). You should see a 2.5% increase reflected in your mid-September paycheck. And since the current contract will expire in June 2017, it is not too soon to think about what items or what issues you would like brought to the negotiation table when talks resume. If the past is any indication, it is likely that both unions will be starting negotiations with the administration sometime early in the spring semester. A number of provisions in the current CBA will be expiring with the contract and these will surely come up for discussion. And though the unions have some items on their agendas left over from the last round of negotiations and others that cropped up during the last two years, it is essential that we hear from the faculty regarding what is important to you. So please, if there is something you believe should be brought to the attention of the administration, let one of your union reps know about it. I would especially urge you to exercise caution if you are called in by Human Resources. Be sure that you have a union rep accompany you; do not go alone, no matter how you may be encouraged to agree to an interview without union representation.

You can contact the FA representative for your school: Bill Gangi and Jim Curley for SJC, Ben Silliman for Tobin, Fran Guastello for Education, LouTrombetta for Pharmacy, and Ben Turner for the Library. Of course, you can contact me (CPS) directly if you choose.

Please fill out and return at your earliest convenience the annual membership application form. This past year we have had a number of grievances and at least one continuing arbitration issue. These frequently require legal consultations and their attendant expenses. And I can imagine that those consultations and legal expenses will increase as we prepare for negotiations. We need your support in making sure that faculty rights are honored and respected.

As ever, I look forward to meeting with you, and speaking with you, as we move into the academic year.

With best wishes for a rewarding year,

Joseph Marotta, Ph.D.

President, FA