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MCC Daily Tribune Archive

President's Wednesday Message


Leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday, I received emails from about 30 faculty, who expressed concern about the ongoing contract negotiations. Their messages were heartfelt, respectful and sincere. The writers spoke both to the unsettled feelings that the unsettled contract has created and to the expectation that the negotiating teams find their ways to a resolution. On Thanksgiving Day, I responded to those who took the time to write and, thinking that you might be interested as well, I am using this week’s message to share that note with you:

Thank you for sharing your greetings, comments and concerns. As the contract negotiations continue, the ability of all of us to engage in civil discourse on this topic is essential to—and really defined by—the culture that makes MCC a special place. For your willingness to reach out, and your remarkable dedication to our students and the value of our shared community, I am grateful.

Please know that I understand the uncertainty that faculty are feeling regarding the lack of a new contract and the anxiety and even disappointment that this has created. Based on historic and immediate past experience, neither the management team nor the Board anticipated that our faculty would be without a contract at this point in the academic year.

In my time at MCC, we have been able to conclude two CSEA negotiations successfully with contract terms that led to overwhelming ratification by members. We have engaged in the current FA negotiations with the same budgetary perspective that led to success in those two contracts: a commitment to achieving an agreement that meets the financial needs of both union members and college management. We remain dedicated to this goal, and while I cannot comment on the specifics of the negotiation process, please know that there is no motivation nor interest in arguing for terms at the table that would not nor should not be ratified by FA membership.

We are committed to resolving negotiations with the FA in a manner that is fair for members, that recognizes the long term financial challenges facing our state and our students, and that leaves MCC prepared for the future. We believe that achieving such a contract is not only a shared possibility but a shared responsibility that both negotiating teams have to you.

Like you, I truly have much to be thankful for, including the privilege of serving MCC.

Sincerely,
Anne

As always, I welcome your comments and thoughts on my blog.

Anne Kress
President's Office
11/28/2012