WCTC'S PART-TIME FACULTY IS ORGANIZING

Some questions and answers about the organizing project

THE VISION: What's the idea behind organizing?

• All teaching, counseling and related work will be considered bargaining unit work. All employees will be in one of two units: Employees working 50% or more will make one group. Employees working under 50% will be in the other group.

THE GOALS: What will organizing achieve?

The goal is to form an organization to represent the interests of those people who teach less than 50% workload at WCTC to

• Give part-time faculty a voice in the college
  • You may now have no say in curriculum, textbooks, facilities. You have no voice on the school board.
• Advocate for part-time faculty's professional needs and issues
  • You are among over 700 people who want to assure the quality of the courses you teach but receive little in-service training or other assistance in doing that. Maybe you don't even have a desk where you can work.
• Work hand-in-hand, cooperatively with the full-time faculty union, the WCTEA
  • Over 50 % employees (both faculty and support staff) have long enjoyed the benefits of working together, and those folks would like to work with you, too, to see that WCTC offers the finest programs to its students.
• Give part-time faculty the benefit of WEAC's and NEA's political strength
  • You'll be informed of Wisconsin and national issues affecting your teaching, and you'll know that your interest and those of students are being served through political action and research.
• Negotiate a contract for part-time faculty

• Among the issues that would be negotiated are paid preparation time, more job security, access to other positions at the college, improved wages, fringe benefits

THE PROCESS: What happens?

SHARE	Get information on the project and share it with your colleagues. Volunteer to help with the project.
SIGN	Indicate your interest formally by signing a survey card when you are offered it.
WATCH	The petition for organization will be filed with the Wisconsin Employment Relations Board.
ATTEND	If necessary, attend hearings where PTUF, WCTEA and the College decide with the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission who should be included in the group.
VOTE	Elections are likely to be held early next school year. Vote your support.
GAIN	Bargaining as a new unit begins. Your voice is heard; you reap the benefits.

How can I help the effort?

• Talk to your part-time and full-time colleagues

• Volunteer by phoning Jeannie Lehmann, PTUF Coordinator and Part-time Teacher, at 251-1756 or by leaving a message in the WCTC union office at 691-5171.

• Vote YES when the time comes.

Will I be disciplined or fired if I help or support this?

• No!  Wisconsin law guarantees employees the right to seek representation without retaliation.

How much will this cost?

• Pro rata membership will include NEA and WEAC membership. For someone teaching one course, about $3.00 per week. For someone near 50%, about $5.00 per week. The cost is lower, of course, if you already are a WEAC/NEA member.

If you have any questions or need more information, please feel free to call Jeannie Lehmann at 414-251-1756 or e-mail her at lehmannj@WEAC.org