When the WCTEA first formed
(in 1968), we represented just the full-time teachers, and, at that
time, all the full-time teachers taught credit classes in WCTC's
traditional "day school."
In 1973, the WCTEA went
through a procedure to add to the WCTEA the counselors and the
part-time instructors who worked in the "day school."
Unlike the other 15 tech colleges, WCTEA and WCTC chose to put all
part-time instructors who teach day credit classes into the
bargaining unit, even those teaching less than 50% (Part Time I).
[The other 15 tech colleges made 50% the basis for being in their
units.]
In 1973, WCTC ran a "day
school" and a very separate, distinct "night school"
that consisted of many non-credit enrichment courses and no
full-time programs. Over the years, 6:00 p.m. became the cut-off
time for work that is considered "day credit classes," or
WCTEA work. Work after 6:00 p.m. is considered non-bargaining unit
work. Also, non-credit work is considered non-bargaining unit work.
Over the past 10 or so years,
WCTC's mission and work have expanded and changed: much more evening
work; no more clear distinction between "day school" and "night
school;" more non-credit work that is occupational, not
enrichment; customized training for business and industry.
Traditional day-school credit
work has become and will continue to be less and less of WCTC's
total work. Much of the new, expanding work is in evening classes,
in non-credit classes, in time-free formats such as Internet and
video classes, which are currently being scheduled at or after 6:00
p.m.
Over the years, the WCTEA has
negotiated with WCTC about evening classes, 38.14 contract work and
other non-credit work. We truly believed that as this work expanded
and we discussed assigning and work loading it, that such work was
being considered by both the College and the WCTEA as new WCTEA
work.
We have learned that the
College did not share WCTEA's understanding. Instead, WCTC continues
to maintain that only day credit classes (and the work done by
full-time counselors) is our work. Any other work performed by a
WCTEA member is up to the College's discretion to assign or not. As
a result, sometimes work is, sometimes it isn't, available to WCTEA
faculty - "it depends." Our current situation is not a
manageable or acceptable position for the WCTEA to be in.
Over the past three years, the
WCTEA has tried to get the "scope" of WCTEA's work
broadened. This can be accomplished voluntarily, by both parties
simply agreeing to the change. We tried this method; that attempt
failed. We then tried through negotiations, through a major
grievance arbitration, and through a declaratory ruling. None of
these attempts was successful.
The two recent decisions have
confirmed that the WCTEA is a unit representing faculty who teach
day, credit classes. Other work is not WCTEA bargaining unit work.
To change this, we need to re-form the WCTEA into an organization
that represents the employees who do ALL the professional work of
WCTC.
In one of the legal briefs,
the College's Attorney stated: "If the Association wants to
change the scope of its bargaining unit, it must do so through the
avenues available under WI. St. 111.70, not through a grievance
arbitration."
That is what we are now doing.