APA News and Events – Page 11 – Massachusetts APA Union

October 17, 2018October 25, 2018

Parking Fee Grievance

Parking Ticket Dear SSU APA Constituency:

On September 26, we heard from the University regarding the status of the Parking Fee Grievance filed last month.

If you were not aware, Salem State is 1 of only 2 Massachusetts State Universities who charge a fee for APA members to park. The other institution is the Massachusetts College of Art in Boston. Per our contract, a parking fee may not be charged. However, the contract does allow for local negotiations regarding such fees on an “as needed” basis. This is to be conducted through a Parking Committee. The current fee was established in the 1980’s and has carried through all subsequent contracts without going to a Parking Committee with APA representation.
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October 17, 2018October 17, 2018

Contract Funding Update

Our 2017-20 APA Agreement FINALLY got over the most challenging hurdle of funding yesterday (October 15) when it was approved by the House Ways and Means committee in informal session. Next step is Senate Ways and Means, then back to the Governor for final validation. The expectation is that the whole process will be complete before the end of the month, as the state Comptroller wants to close out Fiscal 2018. (Not to mention that the Governor is up for election at the very beginning of November.)

This extraordinarily drawn-out process has prompted discussion at the Higher Ed Leadership Committee meetings that may lead to proposed legislation to enforce the contractually agreed upon process and adherence to deadlines and commitments. MTA is working on how that kind of legislation might be composed. Our support for that effort will be pretty enthusiastic, to say the least.

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October 9, 2018October 17, 2018

APA Statewide Facebook Group Created

From Brian Helman (Salem State APA unit member)
During the 2017 Annual Statewide APA Meeting, held here at Salem State, I repeated a suggestion I had made at previous Statewide meetings (Westfield and Bridgewater) that there should be a mechanism for inter-chapter communications – whether a mailing list, Facebook group or some other interactive discussion board. The state-wide board praised the idea and repeatedly said “why haven’t we thought of this”.

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September 28, 2018

Autumn Greetings, APA Members

The 2017-20 APA Agreement is finally sitting with the House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee for final approval and funding via a pending Supplemental Budget. This is the final step before salary increase money can be provided to our campuses.

At this point, our understanding is that APA members will be retroactively paid 2% (since revenues have exceeded expectations) covering what is owed for 2017 and then again back to July 2018 at the second payment of 2% (calculated after the original 2017 retroactive payment). Going forward, in October, salaries will reflect the current increased rate.

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September 19, 2018October 17, 2018

Contract Funding – Good News!

Dear APA members,

This morning we received word from the DHE that the APA contract has been approved and will be funded, and I have a letter from Commissioner Santiago that confirming that I can let the membership know.

Finally.

I would like to profusely thank each and every person who took the time and made the effort to contact a local legislator or government official and explain the APA contract funding issue that we were facing. This is clearly what influenced the decision makers to work favorably for the membership. I have received many compliments on the content and “respectful” and “informative” nature of the communication. In short, you did an awesome job that ultimately resulted in a successful endeavor to get this work done.

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