Nuts & Bolts: Upcoming Events, Add Comp changes, Yes on 2, WEP and GPO repeal and MTA benefits

9/23/2024

Dear Members,

September 22nd to 28th is Banned Book Week.  It began in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in libraries, bookstores, and even schools.   Learn more at the American Library Association website.  Be sure to thank a librarian for working to maintain the freedom to express ideas.

Mark your calendars for upcoming FSU Events

• FSU sponsored coffee station in UDC Tuesday, September 24th 12:00-1:30PM

FSU is sponsoring a coffee and tea station in the University Dining Club, Campus Center, 2nd floor. Drop by or bring your lunch, catch up with colleagues, learn about all your union does.

• Presentation and Conversation about Academic Freedom in Higher Education, Tuesday, October 1st 3:30-5:00

MTA legal counsel will explain the law and the union’s work to defend academic freedoms and demand protections. This meeting is on zoom, the link come around next week.

• FSU Member Gathering in Campus Center Ballroom, Wednesday, October 9th 11:30AM - 1:00PM

Special Election: TT and NTT representatives

Nominations are still open for our two Executive Committee open seats.    For more information see here. 

Additional Compensation aka Add Comp:

Compensation to members who are already at a full-time load (i.e. 100%) will be in the form of add comp, meaning it will not go on base pay and will not be counted as creditable time for purposes of calculating retirement income, etc. Members who are less than 100% time should not receive any of their compensation in the form of add comp. Rather, it should be paid as salary up to 100% time. Work paid as add comp is voluntary and cannot be mandated by the employer. Similarly, there is no contractual obligation to provide add comp assignments to unit members who are already 100% (for more, see the Board of Trustees’ add comp policy here).

Additional Compensation:  Policy change?

Have you been told by your chair or dean’s office of a change in the add comp policy impacting your workload?  If so, please contact the FSU.   

MTA: Yes on 2 Campaign

The ballot question would remove the requirement that a student pass the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) tests to received  high school diploma.

In the next few days, the campaign begins airing ads.  Watch for one with UMB alum Juan Pablo Jaramillo, Revere City Councilor. 

There are a variety of ways to get involved.  Phone banking, canvassing, tabling, wear a button and putting up a lawn sign. The union office will have some materials.  To volunteer got to https://www.yesonquestion2ma.com/

Update: Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO)

The legislation to repeal the WEP and GPO has reached the magic number of 218 House of Representative members who have signed onto the Social Security Fairness Act.   This means it may come to the House floor for a vote.

If your career or a spouse’s career includes employment in both the public and private sector – you may be impacted.  The WEP and GPO reduce and sometimes fully eliminate earned social security benefits.  Both MTA and NEA are working to ‘repeal the steal’. 

MTA benefits: Discounts are local and nationwide

Your MTA membership includes a variety of discounts. New discounts, both local and nationwide, are being added.  Check out https://www.mtabenefits.com/discounts/discount-directory

Sincerely,

Caroline Coscia                                 

FSU President                                   

Senior Lecturer II                               

Political Science Department