GAU 2ND SPRING GENERAL MEETING MINUTES, 2002
March 19, 2002
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GAU General Membership Meeting Minutes - DRAFT
March 19, 2002 at 7 p.m.
219 Dauer Hall
Minutes taken by Catherine Garland
· In attendance:
Craig Boylstein (Co-President)
Frank Goeddeke (Co-President/Bargaining Chair)
Chris Tweddle (Organizing Chair)
Tim Palmer (Treasurer)
Craig Rinne (Grievance Officer)
Erika Gubrium (Chief Steward)
James Thompson
Henri Blanc
Catherine Garland
Maria Martinez
Eric McKenzie
Aline Gubrium
John Ronan
+ ~3 other members
+ student government representatives
I. Craig B. opened the meeting at 7:05 p.m.
II. Tim added Labor Party delegate discussion to agenda. Chris added UFF
senators and FEA delegate discussion to agenda. Agenda was adopted with
those items under new business.
III. Minutes from January 29, 2002 General Membership Meeting were passed
around and approved.
IV. Announcements
a. Student Government Parties
Nikki Fried (Ignite-president), Lou (Swamp-vice-president) and Andrew
(DVDA-treasurer) had four minutes to speak about their parties' platforms
for the current student government elections. All three emphasized their
commitment to health care for graduate assistants and then took questions
from the audience. Erika and James questioned if they are aware of the
distinction between graduate students and graduate assistants and would
health care be for both? They all answered yes they're aware and clarified
health care would just be for graduate assistants. Ronan asked if any of
them are TA's (no). He also asked if any in their parties are GAU members
(no). Henri questioned Nikki about the GSC and BOCC being removed from the
Big Eight and she said she disagreed with that move.
V. Committee Reports
a) Co-President
Frank reported that with the updated email list, we can reach about 95% of
the current graduate assistants.
Frank also spoke about the changes that will be happening because of the
changes in the university structure. A bill has been passed (that has not
yet been ratified) which exempts GA's from being public employees. This
would create a whole new environment regarding certification and other
issues. Ronan asked if it's possible we could get affiliated with UAW, for
example, instead of FEA. Frank said he will look into all the options
available to us.
b) Treasurer
Tim introduced his new treasurer report format. He handed out a balance
sheet which is like a snapshot and an income statement which details where
the money has gone during the year. We are currently balanced, but when
figuring in the whole month of April we will probably dip into savings (as
planned).
Ronan asked what the Chapter Membership Grant is. Chris explained it is a
once-a-year grant from UFF. Frank volunteered to call Scarborough for a
donation to cover the full cost of this year's health insurance being given
away at the rally. Frank also asked Tim to add the petty cash into the
reports.
The treasurer's report was approved.
c) Chief Steward
Erika spoke about the interdepartmental steward party. Emails and flyers
have been distributed.
d) Secretary
Ronan requested that everything (agenda, handouts and so on) be attached to
the minutes. Catherine agreed. He also asked about the constitutional
updates and bylaw changes. Catherine said she would do her best to find those.
e) Bargaining
Frank reported that we are now on our third contract proposal. He also
reported that UFF filed an unfair labour practice suit against the Board of
Education. We have approximately 75 days to decide if we'll join that suit
or not.
f) Grievance
Craig R. reported that he is continuing with the minimum stipend grievance
affecting 417 graduate assistants. It is currently under review by the
chancellor's office. If rejected, he will file for arbitration (if UFF
headquarters think we will win). Ronan asked if UFF has ever taken a GAU
grievance to arbitration. James said yes, but it was cancelled because it
was decided we would not win and we wanted to keep it a bargainable issue.
g) Organizing
Chris reported that three activities are going on. 1) The
interdepartmental steward social on Thursday, March 21st, 2) The health
care rally on April 1st and 3) The spring social which has been set for
Wednesday, April 10th at 7 p.m. at The Top.
h) Membership
Maria reported that all three databases have been reconciled.
i) Publications
Henri reported that he hasn't received anything for the newsletter. Craig
B. put together the newsletter himself due to miscommunication with
Henri. It is still at Custom Copies. Ronan suggested that the SG election
winner be interviewed by GAU for the next newsletter regarding his/her
stance on healthcare for GA's.
j) Health Benefits
Frank reported that he is planning on mailing flyers for the rally the week
before and also sending information in the electronic newsletter. We have
received the 300 3" buttons we ordered and 250 blanks for the 2.25" buttons
we will make Thursday, March 28th at 5 p.m. at The Shamrock.
The invited speakers for the rally are: GSC president, president of the
faculty union at UF, Dr. Barclay (infirmary), SG president and Dr.
Gerhard. Not all have confirmed.
James suggested having free condoms available. Ronan suggested political
theatre (skits) and Frank said he would talk to Stacey Jones in Fine Arts
about this idea. Ronan suggested an op ed piece for The Sun and Chris
suggested The Alligator as well. Erika volunteered to table.
Frank would like to send a survey to GA's to get information about how much
health benefits would cost (e.g. are they married? do they wear
glasses?). James thought that information already existed and Frank agreed
to look into it.
VI. Old Business
a. List Servs
The new mailing lists are ready. Craig R. will send an official
announcement by email.
VII. New Business
a) Secretary Election
Chris nominated Catherine for Secretary. There were no other
nominations. Catherine was elected secretary.
b) Senator Elections
Chris said we need to replace three UFF senators who are no longer here
(need 14 UFF senators/14 alternates). We also need seven FEA delegates and
seven alternates. The UFF senate meets twice a year. The next meeting is
May 11 - 12th in Kissimmee. The FEA meets once a year. This year's
meeting is May 9 - 11th, also in Kissimmee.
James pointed out that all these people were elected last year and should
be serving for another year. James also pointed out that we need to
announce that nominations are open before elections take place. Craig B.
tabled the elections. James agreed to write a description of what senators
do. James moved to open nominations to replace senators and
alternates. Passed. It was decided that they will be voted on at the fall
general membership meeting.
c) Labour party delegates
Debate over whether GAU should be sending delegates to the Labor Party
convention in Washington, DC this summer. As a member of the Labor Party,
we have voting rights. Tim and James expressed interest in going. Ronan
expressed his opposition to aligning GAU with any political party. A
motion was passed for one more minute of discussion. Chris suggested we
send delegates to FEA, UFF senate and so on first, before sending anyone to
other meetings. James made a motion that we appoint at least one and not
more than four delegates to the Labor Party convention. Maria and Aline
seconded the motion. Frank amended the motion to empower the co-presidents
to appoint up to four delegates to the Labor Party convention (with voting
power). James accepted the friendly amendment. The amended motion was
voted on and passed seven to three with two abstaining, in favour of
appointing the delegates.
VIII. The meeting was adjourned by Craig B. at 9:05 p.m.