The Part-time Faculty Association of Maine (PATFA), the union that represents our 1,900 part-time faculty members, is happy to announce that we have reached tentative agreement on a new contract for 2017-19 with the University of Maine System.

PATFA members will soon receive ratification ballots in the mail, while the System Board of Trustees must ratify the agreement as well.

Michele Cheung, PATFA president, said the agreement includes a 2 percent pay increase in 2017-18 and a 2 percent pay increase in 2018-19.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

RESCHEDULED NOVEMBER MEMBERSHIP MEETING

This week’s 3% hearing before the state Supreme Court has not come to a conclusion. We are tracking developments and will report them ASAP. Here is a great opinion piece on the subject penned by AFT Michigan President David Hecker and MEA President Paula Herbert. 

"If returned to the educators who earned it, the half-billion-plus dollars the state has illegally taken would have a tremendous positive impact for individual families and the state’s economy," they write.

New York Voters by a huuuge margin said NO to the convening of a Constitutional Convention. They approved Public officials who are convicted of crimes connected to their positon having their pensions taken away. The voters also approved protected lands in the Adirondacks being available to the towns in the protected areas for necessary projects.

Some confusion/clarification related to Healthcare:

Preferred Provider List: 
There are 2 tiers of in-network doctors: Tier 1 (waives the normal $15 co-pay) and Tier 2 (normal $15 co-pay is charged).  The only difference is whether the co-pay is waived or not.

Approximately 250 A&R members enjoyed the tranquil surroundings of the Water's Edge Resort and Spa on Friday as they learned techniques for dealing with stress in the workplace.  Morning and afternoon workshops focused on de-stressing, getting motivated, time management, and happiness in the workplace.  This event, which was sponsored by A&R, with the approval of the Office of Labor Relations, was enjoyed by all.

Great Public Schools focus on:

• Children's well-being
• Powerful learning
• Supporting strong teachers
• Learning environments where all voices are heard.
• Fair compensation that attracts and retains highly qualified employees.

Governor Malloy signed the bipartisan budget today.  This completes a very long legislative battle that began back in February.  Much credit to Reps Aresimowicz and Ritter along with Sens. Looney, Duff, and Fasano for bringing the parties and the chambers together to get this done. 
-10/31/17

·        A student:teacher ratio that supports teaching and learning.  All students need some one on one or small group learning opportunities; these are less possible with larger class-sizes

·        Focused academic support: when a student is not learning, what can be done?  Are there reading, writing, math and science specialists available for learning support?  How quickly is the support available?  What is available for my child?

DAS recently sent a notice to all employees regarding a change in the job application/exam process.  For most positions, there will no longer be the dual system of sending in an exam application and then seperately submitting a job application when a vacancy occurs. 

DAS has moved to an electronic system called "JobAps" and eliminated the CT HR-12 paper application form (many of us still refer to the application form as the PLD-1, the PLD-1 is now officially eliminated...and so is the CT HR-12).  The State has now implemented an electronic resume system.