Questions & Answers about Forming

A Part-Time Bargaining Unit at WCTC

November, 1997

Why do Part-Time Faculty need a union?

A Union can enter into legal, binding contracts with the College regarding wages, fringe benefits and working conditions. It also has legal rights to enforce and uphold the contracts it has negotiated. These are rights that you do NOT have as separate individuals. A union can give you a real voice in determining many of the decisions which affect your teaching, such as compensation for prep time, access to other positions in the College, job security and due process.

Isn't there already a union at WCTC? Why do we need a Part-Time Bargaining Unit at WCTC?

Over the years the number of part-time faculty has increased rapidly. Today there are around 200 members of the Waukesha County Technical Educators Association (WCTEA) which represents the full-time and the over-50%-part-time faculty. In comparison the number of part-time faculty has risen to over 800. These employees are paid an hourly rate. WCTC currently has free reign to assign hours in such a way that employees are not considered part of the existing bargaining unit. The WCTEA supports the formation of a part-time unit.

What benefit to the College would be achieved by having all employees represented?

The goal is a College where decisions are made on an educational basis, with structures and procedures for input from all the various groups of employees . . . including part-time faculty.

What will determine which unit I would belong to?

If you work more than 50% of full time, you would be in the WCTEA full-time bargaining unit; if you work less than 50%, you would be in the part-time unit, Part-Time United Faculty PTUF.

Are Part-Time Faculty at other Technical Colleges organized?

Yes! The two largest technical colleges, MATC-Milwaukee & Madison, have Part-Time Faculty bargaining units.

How does the process work?

Part-time faculty will indicate their interest and desire to have an election by signing a Show of Interest Survey Card. State law requires show of interest cards from at least 30% of the part-time faculty. Our goal, however, is to have signed cards from over half of all part-time faculty. Signing the card is the necessary first step to call for a collective bargaining representation election. It does not mean you are joining the union nor does it obligate you in any way. It indicates support and a desire to proceed with an election.

Who sees these Show of Interest Survey Cards? Where do they go?

The cards are confidential. They are NEVER shown to WCTC administration. The Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC) keeps the cards until they are turned in to the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission (WERC).

What happens after the cards are signed?

WCTC is informed that a majority of you want to be recognized as a bargaining unit. If WCTC management agrees to recognize the unit voluntarily, WCTC Part-Time United Faculty would automatically exist! However, that's not usually how it goes. Most likely, WCTC will ask that we "show" or "prove" that a majority of Part-Time Faculty want a union. This means there would be an election, run by the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission (WERC), the State Agency that handles such elections. WEAC would file for the election by turning over the Interest Survey cards to show that there is a desire. By law, the cards are then kept confidential with the WERC. They are never shown to the employer.

The WERC would then schedule an election date. The election is by secret ballot. All eligible employees can vote. The ballots are counted on the day of the election. If over 50% of those voting vote for the union, it becomes official. At that point, bargaining the first contract could begin.

How long will all of this take?

If there are no disagreements about who is eligible to vote or about who belongs in or out of the group, an election can be scheduled within 30 to 45 days after the signed cards are submitted to the WERC (Spring 1998).

If there are disagreements, they would need to be resolved first. The WERC would hold hearings which could take two or three months. The election would take place after the decisions are made (Fall 1998).

Can I be disciplined or fired for supporting a union?

ABSOLUTELY NOT! Wisconsin law guarantees public employees the right to form and to join a labor organization with no interference from your employer. It is entirely your decision to make! You have the right to discuss it with your co-workers and even to promote the idea, if you so wish!

In years past, some employers did try to interfere and stop a union from being formed. WEAC took those employers to court, and the courts have agreed with us. It is illegal for an employer to make threats, either outright or implied, to change a benefit or term of employment, or to take any reprisals against an employee, or promise a benefit to employees to discourage them from voting for a union.

The employer may, of course, share its wishes and opinions with employees, as long as they are not threats or promises.

In recent years, employers have come to better understand employees' rights to make their own decisions and do not try to interfere as much. The law is clearly on our side!

If anyone should have problems, however, WEAC pledges to stand by them and support them! WEAC guarantees to protect employees' rights, whether or not the union wins.

What are the dues?

Dues for Part-Time Faculty would be approximately $3 to $5 per week depending on how many hours you work. These figures are approximate because as a Local, you set and keep your local portion of the dues to use locally. You can make them as much or as little as you need. You may negotiate to have dues deducted directly from your paychecks. If you do not work in a pay period, you will not pay dues for that pay period. The cost of dues is lower, of course, if you already are a WEAC/NEA member.

What will we get for our dues?

You get the help of trained WEAC staff to work with your Local to bargain and maintain a legal, binding employment contract. You get the benefit of WEAC's attorneys, lobbyists, and vast network of fellow educators. You get opportunities to attend WEAC sponsored workshops and conferences. You get the benefit of a voice speaking on behalf of education on both the state and national levels. You get legal job protection, including a $1 million liability policy to protect you in any suit related to your WCTC teaching.

I'm afraid we may lose what we now have. Can my wages go down if we form a union?

NO! The only way you could lose what you now have is by bargaining it away, and WEAC will NOT bargain away any wages that you are already receiving. What you are now receiving serves as the starting point for your first contract.

Now what? Where do we go from here?

Most importantly, talk with your fellow employees. We need to find out if this is the choice of the majority.

If you still have questions, ask them! Call, write, or e-mail Jeannie Lehmann.

Finally, believe in yourselves! Respect yourselves! Respect each other! Work toward an organization that will give you the opportunity to actively participate in decisions about your teaching environment at WCTC.

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