March 12, 2007

The TIME is NOW to INVEST in CUNY

Urgent action needed -- PSC members have been in Albany talking to lawmakers about better funding, and today the PSC is launching a major print and TV ad campaign in Albany. Click here to send a letter, to see the ads, or for more information on the budget.

CUNY is at a crossroads: Last year, after years of disinvestment, State funding for CUNY increased, thanks in part to the advocacy efforts of PSC members. But we still have 5,000 fewer full-time faculty than we did in 1975 and we need the State Legislature to help CUNY meet its historical mission of educational opportunity. We have only until the end of March to influence this budget -- send your letter today.

CUNY funding comes from both New York State and New York City, and the PSC is also launching a major effort to win much-needed improved funding from the City. This will be a major theme during CUNY Week (March 26-30); watch for more details in next week’s e-mail and check the PSC website for updates at www.psc-cuny.org.

Contract Talks Open

On Friday, March 2, the PSC’s bargaining committee met with CUNY management in talks for a new contract. Union and management signed a set of “ground rules” and the PSC presented its demands. The next bargaining session will be on March 19. The union’s demands represent members' vision of a contract that can begin to meet their needs, but to win them we will need to work hard, work together and mobilize. You can begin this work by sharing a copy of the demands with your colleagues. For a full set of the demands and more information on this round of bargaining click here.

Women’s History Month Celebration

PSC members gathered on March 9 to hear a presentation on the importance of progressive taxation to women led by Hunter School of Social Work Professor Mimi Abramovitz. The event was sponsored by the PSC’s Women’s Committee in honor of Women’s History Month. The committee also honored Cecelia McCall, the PSC’s secretary from 2000-2006, and heard an update from the Welfare Rights Initiative, which helps welfare recipients to attend CUNY. To get involved in the Women's Committee, contact Norah Chase or Debra Bergen through the union office, 212-354-1252.

New Benefits Fund Website

The PSC-CUNY Welfare Fund has launched its own comprehensive website. The site has full information on prescription drug, dental and health insurance benefits, downloadable forms and links to health-related sites. Click here to see it.

“Welcome to the PSC’s newest communications tool.  The suggestion for a weekly electronic bulletin came from a faculty member during last fall’s listening campaign—thank you. I hope you’ll share it with colleagues, and that you’ll let us know what’s happening in your corner of the PSC so we can include news from the chapters in future editions.” ~Barbara Bowen