Attendees: Craig Rinne, Trina Hofreiter, Matt Caverly, Sophie Croisy, Henri Blanc, Erika Gubrium, Ivan Mutiz, Cheri Landry, Karen Kuhel, Jonas Williams, Lindsey Collins, Tim Palmer, Todd Reynolds, Chris Tweddle, Victor Romano, Erica Pittman, Frank
Call to Order: 7:00 pm
Motion to add items and alter agenda order add two items
spring social and election of AFL-CIO delegate place committee reports before elections
motion seconded and passed
III. Past meeting minutes read (highlights) and full minutes read individually by attendees
minutes approved
IV. Officer and Committee Reports
GAU Co-President (Craig Rinne) 1. Authorization cards goal reached. Cards delivered to Clayton & Johnston (111 SW 1st Ave Jim Quincy). Used fall list with 85 cards over required number needed. All signs indicate that they will count, accept and honor agreement to recognize GAU
Hold on press release until count approved and certified by PERC (Frank)
GAU Co-President (Frank Goeddeke) Bargaining Council
1. Bargaining survey on-line: 317 responses by 3/23/04. Some people had problems with browser
discussion about using Survey Monkey (not feasible do to need to track respondents). Survey not analyzed but health benefits seem to be top issue. Over 20 people checked willingness to join bargaining committee meeting scheduled for 3/27
2. Had 2 meetings of health committee. Negotiating with other groups prior to GAU (could be construed as unfair labor practice, but problematic since GAU is not presently officially recognized). Offer: $400 per person and must use Student Health/Scarborough. Concern about one set amount due to price variation due to age of graduate assistant. Frank suggests looking at ages of grads rather than across the board during negotiations and bargaining on health insurance before addressing other issues
3. Frank leaving in August
4. International Health Issues: International Center wants single plan (opposed by GAU international student should be able to make own decision). Only Scarborough has direct billing otherwise student must pay and get reimbursed.
Treasurer (Aline Gubrium sent report)
1. Approximately $1500 in bank. Received dues check from UFF -- $1400. Looks like GAU is in the black.
Secretary: (Rosa sent minutes)
1. Craig: All minutes for last year will be put on the website
Grievance Officer (Todd Reynolds)
1. Administration is not recognizing grievances. Grievances are being handled by University Ombudsman considering graduate assistants as students not employees. This may change once PERC has certified cards.
Will current grievances transfer? T - Unknown, have to wait and see.
How do we change international fee into grievance? T challenge it as an unwaivable fee, Legal challenge being readied but can’t challenge fee until it is has made it through rule making process.
Chief Steward (Erika Gubrium)
1. Effort to increase membership focuses on working closely with International Student Chair as opposed to focusing on departments or international groups
Organizing Committee (Chris Tweddle)
1. State senate meeting weekend of 4/17/04; Reservations need to be made by 4/5/04. Union hired new state director and there is discussion of reorganizing from centralized to regional offices (4 or 5 areas). There is concern that resources will be divided unevenly and important that at least 9 GAU senators attend the meeting since each is able to carry 2 proxies.
Thought only senators elected last year only eligible? Chris: Senators elected 3/26 will be eligible to attend meeting
2. Spring Social will be sponsored by Custom Copy. (Motion made to move Social earlier on agenda seconded/passed). GAU usually has to supplement approx $500 nothing budgeted but able to transfer funds. Date: Wednesday 4/21 (last day of classes -- subject to confirmation.
International Student Committee (Sophie Croisy)
1. Putting international student committee together (3 respondents so far). Will continue to send information to graduate lists, contact international organizations, and focus on fee issue.
2. Attended the health insurance meeting with university representatives and Scarborough Insurance. Scarborough expects a 28% increase in rates for international students next year with no increase in coverage. International groups will be notified.
Craig: GAU had protest at the official university rule making session. Frank’s questions went unanswered, as did other. Craig went to education policy meeting, spoke for 2 minutes and argued that the fee was imposed unilaterally and GAU would like a committee formed to investigate. Committee voted to continue rule-making process with possibility of rescinding the fee later. Craig sent the committee a list of people interested in being on a committee, but has heard nothing back.
Next step in rule making process and next step for GAU? Frank: Have to wait and see what happens with 200 international students refusing the pay $65 fee; might try this for the fall semester.
Sophie will get feedback from international groups
Todd: possibility of encouraging all Graduate Assistants to withhold $50 from fees
What about James’ model letter to use sunshine laws to request all files of fees? Frank: Better strategy to get rid of fee, cutting down cost would not be a victory, Craig: Keep James’ letter as a backup, Frank: Doug Ratay proposing a motion to GSC to protest fee.
Publications Committee – no report
V. ELECTIONS
Nominations – Co-President (Todd Reynolds, Sophie Croisy, & Victor Romano); Secretary (Erica Pittman); Treasurer (Erika Gubrium); Grievance Officer (Cheri Landry); 25 Senators; 25 Alternates; 2 AFL-CIO delegates; 7 FEA delegates
Clarification: Senators can carry proxies to bi-yearly meetings alternates cannot
Results:
Co-Presidents – Sophie Croisy (6); Todd Reynolds (14); Victor Romano (12)
Secretary: Erica Pittman
Treasurer: Erika Gubrium
Grievance Officer: Cheri Landry
Senators: Craig could you add the names? [AT END OF MINUTES]
Alternates: Craig could you add the names? [AT END OF MINUTES]
AFLCIO delegates (meeting 2nd Monday of each month – endorse candidates, other activities): Erika G; Todd Reynolds
FEA delegates: Karen Kuhel, Erika Gubrium, Erica Pittman, Chris Twiddle, Matt Caverly, Craig Rinne
VI. Announcements
1. Labor Party (organizing party, not running candidates at moment) – platforms: free health care, free higher education; dues: $100. Erika moved to resubscribe – passed unanimously
2. Conference of Alliance of Graduate Employee locals at Michigan State – April 17-19. Can send one more person all expenses paid – need to notify Frank by 3/31
3. AFL-CIO active in presidential campaign. They need volunteers to interface between GAU and campaigns – talk to Frank if interested
4. Chris: The Shamrock is still honoring Wednesday happy hour agreement -- $2 pints
5. James Thompson has moved on to well paying union organizing job at University of Cincinnati
6. Todd: conference this weekend – Speaker (?) talking about pedagogy, but has expressed interest in meeting with graduate students to talk about coordinating campus activities across the state (Room 219, Dauer, Saturday 3/27, 10:00 am)
7. Victor: thanked group for vote of confidence
8. If anyone interested in signing petition to help David Hedge get on the primary ballot for 6th congressional district contact Matt Caverly – HYPERLINK "mailto:mmc@ufl.edu" mmc@ufl.edu (must be a registered voter)
Meeting adjourned – 8:58pm
[LIST OF SENATORS AND ALTERNATES:]
Senators: Karen Kuhel Trina Hofreiter Jesse Zeigler Lisa Hager Henri-Simon Blanc Jonas Williams Lindsey Collins Ariel Gunn Cheri Landry Chris Tweddle Erika Gubrium Erica Pittman Amy Zigler Ivan Mutis Matthew Caverly Aline Gubrium Vince Hohreiter Donna Sabis-Burns Ray (Kres) Neely Sarah Bray Dinah Mayne Sheryl Howie Patrick (Todd) Reynolds Victor Romano
Alternate Senators: Melissa McKee Kim Anderson Clay Arnold Lauren Brosnihan Nicholas Jelley Thomas Love Nishant Shahani Craig Rinne Kim Taylor Molly Brauhn Sophie Croisy