In 2013, Staff Organizer Bob Reutenauer spent many hours going through files and records created by the union from 1967-1992. Communications to the members in the form of flyers, newsletters, memos, and reports make up most of the collection of approximately 500 documents that I have assembled. The first 25 years of organization building, political activity, collective bargaining campaigns, and various labor affiliations of the Congress of CT Community Colleges is documented in chronological order. I have also made an annotated list of approximately 150 documents that serves as an informal outline and historical sketch of five periods of activism.

1. 1967-1973. From a Senate to a Congress: “A counterweight to those already organized: the BOT and the Council of Presidents.”

2. 1973-1975. Winning Collective Bargaining Rights: “No more cap in hand to beg for a few crumbs.”

3. 1976-1981. An Activist Union: “Do not seek the fragile shelter of non-involvement; there is no security there.”

4. 1982-1987. Union Stability and Advance: “For Political Clout, Progressive trade unionism, Professionalism, Autonomy, Integrity.”

5. 1988-1992 Bargaining in Hard times: “MCC picket line is first step to protect against more lay-offs.”

1967-1973. From a Senate to a Congress: “A counterweight to those already organized: the BOT and the Council of Presidents.”

January 1967 to April 1973. Minutes, newsletters, flyers, press clippings of Community College Senate. Issues discussed by Senate include: negotiations rights, retirement options, part time salaries, tenure, separation, sabbaticals, educational leave, requirement for evening teaching, faculty workload, salary inequities, evaluation criteria, open/limited enrollment, professional development, uniform curricula, faculty/staff/student representatives on BOT, common course numbering, code of ethics, academic freedom, appointment guidelines, political action on budget and bargaining, due process in non renewal, legal defense fund for lawsuits on behalf of faculty/staff in non-renewal due process cases, summer school salaries, cost of living adjustments, department chair election, department chair release from teaching, leadership in networking and coalition building, NEA, AFT, CSEA in forming HELP (Higher Education Legal Protection) Chaired by Kay Bergin, Mattatuck and CHEC (CT Higher Education Coalition) chaired by Bob Vater, Manchester.

November 4, 1970. “Right to Negotiate For All” day-long conference of AAUP, AAUP, CSEA, and CC Faculty Senate to write legislation for collective bargaining rights.

April 28, 1973. Faculty Senate passes motion to hold constitutional convention on at Manchester Community College in May 1973. Goal to form a “dues paying membership organization that will seek through negotiations greater staff participation in determination of educational and personnel policies.”  “We need a single, unified organization, representing the majority as a counterweight to those who are already organized: the BOT and the Council of Presidents.” “In absence of de jure collective bargaining we shall seek de facto collective bargaining.”

1973- 1975. Winning Collective Bargaining Rights: “No more cap in hand to beg for a few crumbs.”

May 24, 1973. 150 members of professional staff meet to reconstitute the Faculty Senate as a membership organization by adopting:

*Statement of professional dignity: Unity, democracy, professional responsibility and integrity.

*Constitution of the Congress of Connecticut Community Colleges

*Program of Action *Statement on BOT personnel policies

August 23, 1973. First Steering Committee listed. 43 members at 12 colleges.

September 27, 1973. First steering committee meeting. Delegate Assembly formed from steering.

October 12, 1973. First Executive Board meets. Bob Vater, President. Sidney Lipshires, Presidential Aide. Madge Manfred, Flint, Ada Lambert, Tito, John Makrogianis, Mike Majeske, Kay Bergin, Ray Cacciatore, Saranne Quish, Ray Marafino

October, 1973. Newsletter Volume #1 Number 1. “Connecticut Congress of Community Colleges” (sic)

March 1974. Newsletter Volume #1. Number 5. “Salary Hopes Dashed” “Collective Bargaining Bill Dead for Year” “Referendum on Membership for Part-Timers”

May 1974. Newsletter Volume #1 Number 6. “President’s Annual Report” : “The overall deterioration of democracy in the operation of the colleges and the system was apparent in the BOT Personnel Policies manual, a horrendous document which threatened our basic rights and our dignity. It was the last straw.

The Congress was born.

October 14, 1974. Bob Vater, Bill Dowd, Alice Lettney meet with Governor Ella Grasso at the Residence. Collective Bargaining Bill likely to pass in 1975 they report.

November 1974. Affiliation committee meets and agrees to seek information from NEA, AFT, AAUP, CSEA, Teamsters, AFSCME.

April 1975. PA 75-566 grants state employees right of self-organization and to bargain collectively free from interference, restraint, or coercion” “Effective date October 1, 1975.

August 1975. Affiliation committee narrows choice to AFT, AAUP or AFSCME “The added strength and expertise a state/national organization can give us is absolutely essential.”

August 22, 1975. Delegate Assembly unanimously endorsed the Congress affiliate with AFSCME. “One year trial affiliation. Either party may terminate affiliation at the end of one year by giving at least 30 days notice.”

September 9, 1975. Congress announces signatures of 617 of 770 for AFSCME. Will submit on October 1 when law goes into effect to State Labor Board. “We have been organizing Congress for two years, our

experience and unity will give us early bargaining success, other higher ed units will go through divisive unit elections for bargaining agent.”

September 1975. BOT votes 5-2 to “phase out tenure” for those hired after July 1, 1976.

September 19, 1975. Congress announces to BOT intention to seek “one bargaining unit for all professional staff.” Law allows this or two units– one for faculty and one for other professionals. Law is clear that decision is to be made by mutual agreement of the two employee groups involved. State Board has no discretion and BOT not proper to influence this “community of interest” decision.

October 3, 1975. Local 129 of AFSCME Council 16, the Congress, Executive Board meeting. Petition filed to State Labor Board for recognition as union. 85% signed. Board must hold hearing on petition in 10- 30 days. $3,976.88 in local treasury. Dues still $1 per pay period. After 12 months dues will rise to include

$28.80 to AFSCME National and $30 to AFSCME council 16 plus Congress $13= $72.80 annual.

October 7, 1975. Demand BOT give official recognition of Congress as bargaining agent for single unit of all professionals as allowed by law.

October 10, 1975. BOT responds. No recognition. No agreement on “unit determination.” Division Directors and Department Chairs must be “excluded” from the bargaining unit.

November 19, 1975. State Labor Board sets election for December 1,2,3. BOT drops list of “exclusionary confidential” from 196 to 90.

November 26, 1975. President Vater: “As first group of state employees to vote on bargaining representation, the eyes of 50,000 state employees are on you. An end has come to our appearance before the BOT, cap in hand, to beg for a few crumbs, to obtain “permission” to speak about our vital professional and economic needs.”

December 30, 1975. State Labor vote—87% vote Yes for Congress/AFSCME. 73% vote Yes to one bargaining unit of teaching faculty and non-teaching professional staff.

1976-1981. An Activist Union: “Do not seek the fragile shelter of non-involvement; there is no security there.”

February 6, 1976. State Budget Crisis. Cuts to Budget. Two alternatives: cut services or increase tax revenue. Congress petition circulated: CT has highest per capita income in USA (1974) and relies on 7% regressive sales tax to fund state services. Solution is to adopt progressive taxes, such as a tax on earned income over $30,000 per year.

April 1976. “Board Refuses to Negotiate: Hoping to escape the discredit they deserve, they have studiously avoided any written responses to Congress proposals. They try to mock cleverness and pass the buck by utilizing mutually contradictory spokesmen.”

May 1976. 20 hours of meetings just to get “ground rules” for negotiations.

June 3, 1976. BOT counterproposals are worse than present personnel policies [“the yellow book”]. “Constant dilatoriness and an escalating scale of unfair labor practices.” “Clear that pressure exists within and around the BOT to refuse to recognize the legitimacy of our organization.”

June 7, 1976. Internal Memo. “Complete lack of progress in negotiations and concomitant failure to determine the exact relation of forces on the other side. Where is the most anti-union pressure coming from? BOT, presidents, state? Eyes of other state employees upon us. No one else is in any serious bargaining. Some recognized units do not anticipate beginning until September.”

Early June, 1976. BOT claims that summer sessions are not covered by collective bargaining.

Late June 1976. 100 members show up at BOT to protest summer session issue.

July 2 and July 29, 1976. State Labor Board sets hearings on unfair labor practice charges filed by Congress against BOT.

July 8, 1976. Vater statement: “Bad faith bargaining by BOT is obvious. Mismanagement of system less known. They are destructive to the Community Colleges. We must begin to publicly document this mismanagement by 75 managers for 750 professionals.”

July 1976. Leaflet. “Empty Chairs, empty proposals, empty promises. They are one and the same to BOT. [Photo of empty chairs at bargaining table]. If you are wondering why negotiations are taking so long and no proposals are coming forth on promotions, summer wage scales, and tenure ask Ed Bograd. If you can find him.”

July 27, 1976. Telegram to union from Attorney Bograd: The “irresponsible conduct on the part of the representatives of the union has created an atmosphere that makes impossible continued negotiations at this time.”

October 6, 1976. Vater letter to “100 Congress members.” “BOT determined to force upon us conditions of employment which will destroy the atmosphere of collegiality each of us and many others have labored to establish. Economic offer today is as insulting and as deficient as the set of professional rights counter proposals we received last May. We need to significantly raise the level of awareness, activity, and involvement of peers. October 15 plan mass turnout at BOT meeting. Each of you bring 4-5 others.”

October 15, 1976. Total membership meeting outside BOT. Endorse action program including informational picketing at each college. Authorization for negotiating committee to call a series of job actions up to and including a strike.

November 7, 1976. Delegate Assembly re-affirms strike authorization. One or two day “cessation of classes” if no significant progress by December 3.

December 10, 1976. Memo from BOT attorney Foley. Confirming last conversation. We desire to reach agreement very soon. Package proposal on items we continue to hold that we have no legal obligation to bargain over: academic freedom as defined AAUP 1940 statement, election of advisory committees on promotion, sabbatical, professional development and extended appointment after probationary period of 6 standard appointments decision of president, advice of committee. In exchange: no other language on educational policy or college governance in contract. [note – JF can’t use word tenure!]

January 18, 1977. Congress and BOT agree to use mediation services of the State Labor Bd.

January 20, 1977. Jack McLean , Mohegan faculty, letter to members. “Unilateral management rights must not become a shield behind which weak administrators substitute ‘control’ for collegiality and dehumanize learning in the interests of false and visionless efficiency.” ….“Do not seek the fragile shelter of non-involvement. There is no security there.”

February 22, 1977. Memo. “An early April deadline for contract submissions [to get funded this session] to legislature has been imposed on us. Given the foot-dragging of the BOT negotiators, the only contract that could be ready by that date would be one without job security and professional rights guarantees. Our response to these positions must depend upon the awareness of the membership to the total situation we face and a collective commitment to any course of action which is adopted.”

March 16, 1977. “We have come to the end of the line in mediation sessions. Acquaint you with some of the things the BOT wants you to agree to in contract: Extend 10 month work year from 166 to 175 days. No maximum on contact hours. Refuse to bargain summer session. Refuse to count any time as “lecturer” toward continuing employment status. President’s decision on non-renewal is his sole prerogative, decision neither reviewable, negotiable, or arbitrable. No due process protection for first six standard appointment. No tenure in future, those with tenure, keep it.”

“Now what? Mass turn out. Job Action March 30. Attend all day rally/meeting on contract proposals”

March 30, 1977. Contract settlement reached early evening March 30. Ratified by members present at mass meeting. Sent to legislature in time on April 1, 1977.

June 16, 1977. Copies of contract will be ready for all members at end of June. 55 members take course in contract administration/grievance handling. Sidney Lipshires elected president of union.

October 20, 1977. Delegate Assembly unanimous resolution to sever relationship with AFSCME. One year (or until first contract) was term of temporary agreement. Affiliation committee now meeting with CEA, AAUP, AFT, CSEA. Dues structure proposed change to .75% will be put out for membership vote.

January 12, 1978. Dues change vote: 295 Yes 177 No.

February 14, 1978. First meeting of COSEO.. Coalition of State Employee Organizations. Common legislative agenda discussed: Right to strike or binding arbitration; include part time employees in collective bargaining act; elimination of legislative approval for collective bargaining agreements; collective bargaining rights for retired employees.

September 9, 1978. First contract was two-year 1977-1979. Time to prepare for next contract negotiations. Basic goals: due process, collegial decision making, job security and career opportunity, effective grievance/arbitration, staffing, salary, benefits.

September 18, 1978. Board of Trustees General Guidelines for Collective Bargaining. “Goal of management is to negotiate a contract that is narrow in scope, broadly preserves management prerogatives, and appropriately limits past practices from purview of the contract.”

November 6, 1978. Jackson Foley general counsel to BOT. “We need to preserve and strengthen the provision precluding arbitrator from substituting his judgment for the president’s on promotion, tenure, academic freedom…. Faculty workload at many community colleges is 15 hours teaching, standard is 12 in our system.”

January 12, 1979. Jackson Foley general counsel to BOT. “It is well to anticipate that the Board proposals will be perceived as hard nosed and in some areas quite provocative. In particular teaching load and grievabilty of governance matters.”

February, 1979. Trustee Jules Lang report to BOT on collective bargaining. “Union has asked for everything conceivable…. They seek to use collective bargaining as a means to gain ‘collegial relationships’ by extending grievance and arbitration definitions beyond wages, hours, etc…. Contingency planning for a strike should be undertaken.”

Note- September 18, November 6, 1978 and January 12, February 1979 documents from Box #2, folder 11 of Sidney Lipshires Papers, UMass archives.

March 31, 1979. Statewide Membership meeting to discuss current negotiations, and effort of all state union to work together on retirement and health benefits.

April 19, 1979. Advisory concerning attendance at April 25 mass meeting 1-4 at Immanuel Congregational church, Hartford. Cancel Classes. Take PL time.

April 20, 1979. BOT continues to push for givebacks. 25% workload increase for no more pay. No contractual lay-off language.

May 1, 1979. “Strike Practice.” Lunch hour informational picketing at each school.

May 24, 1979. Where we are in negotiations. Reasonable pattern setting offer “floated” across state units on wage increases (7%) retirement and health insurance. But no increment, promotion, reclassification money for higher education.

August 2, 1979. 52 sessions of bargaining and no agreement. CSEA and 1199 have settled, all of higher education except us and UConn Health Center (AFT) have settled.

August 27, 1979. Fact Finding process now in collective bargaining law will be tried. It was helpful for 1199.

October 19, 1979. Contract Settlement. 3-year agreement. 8%, 8.25%, 8.5% 6% retro to June 1979. Funding for promotion and upgrades. Advances: discrimination is arbitrable in non-renewal; written challenge to material placed in professional file; time-frame announced for class room visitation; promotion recommendation/decision only based on what is in the file; chapter meeting attendance; release time for union business; summer school salaries; integrity of unit maintained in event of restructuring; tenure recognized as a factor in order of lay-off.

October 26, 1979. Ratification meeting. Greater Hartford. 7-9pm

January 1980. A contract administration advisory: The “Additional Responsibilities” of Teaching Faculty. 5 page memo from Sidney Lipshires on new requirement to fill out AR form for approval “So, we will write up the additional responsibilities”

August 21, 1980. Pension Leadership Conference. Formation of Pension Coordinating Committee, precursor to SEBAC.

April 17, 1981. State walks out of pension negotiations with PCC. Rally with thousands of other state workers May 13, 1981 at Capitol.

1982-1987. Union Stability and Advance: “For Political Clout, Progressive trade unionism, Professionalism, Autonomy, Integrity.”

October 1, 1982. Part time employees eligible for bargaining unit representation by amendment to collective bargaining act.

November 4, 1982. Retirement Bulletin. Purchase of past service credit options.

June 8, 1983. “The Facts of Life for Grown-ups” Sid Lipshires memo. “A handful of members has recently been talking about breaking up the Congress bargaining unit….”

4 page memo. First document in what becomes known as “The Raid.” A&R/AFT attempts to take non teaching professionals from bargaining unit.

August 10, 1983. Willis Report expected August 15. Goal is to evaluate this system as a way to create job classification/career  ladders.

August 27, 1983. Come to Washington. 20th anniversary of March for jobs, peace, freedom. Union bus to march.

September, 1983. Delegate Assembly votes to begin organizing part time teaching faculty.

October 1983. Election flyer for A&R decertification attempt. “This is my kind of union… On the campus and around the state.” 4 page photos and testimony of 12 ACL members from each college. [First mention of 4Cs as name of union rather than Congress, by Robert Miles, South Central CC]. photo and testimony of support from David Newton AAUP and Jerry Brown 1199 and State Reps Carrie Perry of Hartford; Bill Kiner of Enfield, Andy Carey of Manchester; Bob Sorenson of Meriden; and State Senator Joe Harper of New Britain.

November 18, 1983. “Let’s Get down to Business” memo from Sid Lipshires. Congress Unity wins election. Big goals ahead: Contract negotiations, outstanding grievances, integrate part time non teaching professionals into bargaining unit (Labor Board determined no election needed…. Law changed to allow). Part time teaching faculty must be organized for union election; wrap up willis report and get paid by end of semester.

January 1984. 4Cs Leadership Training. Plans on the Drawing Board: A history of the congress, labor union principles, The state and national labor scene, collective bargaining- problems and strategies, meeting the economic and professional needs of younger workers, utilizing the pension agreement, how to build a more active congress chapter, effective grievance work, union political action.

January 26, 1984. Sid Lipshires to George Springer CSFT and Don DeFronzo A & R. Election over. We won. Return to normalcy? Objections over 17 ballots filed by A&R with State Labor Board being used by BOT to delay contract negotiations.

March 26, 1984. Negotiating Notes #1. “Congress Unity and Internal Organization. Although the Congress will continue to represent all our members in single bargaining unit, the meaning of the vote of non- teaching professionals in recent certification election is quite clear: they desire more specific recognition as a group.”

April 1, 1984. Willis Update #6. $286,390 to be distributed to 55 members for upgrade. 2.5% to 55 members for promotion.

May 1984. “Part time teaching faculty organizing campaign plan.” Coordinators Greg Hager, Steve Thornton

May 1984. Chronicle of Higher Education. “Teaching loads at issue in Conn. Community colleges”

June 25, 1984. Introductory letter to adjunct faculty from Sid Lipshires. Authorization card enclosed for signature to show interest in union representation.

August 7, 1984. Negotiating Notes #2. Negotiations opened. Committee of 75 to form. Campaign theme: “It’s time for quality education”

August 1984. Part time teachers organizing bulletin. Three flyers in month. 1. “Q and A” Intro. 2. “Part timers say yes” Interviews. 3. “Last Call.” Process and closure.

August 1984. “Join the Committee of 75” Business Reply envelope. Contract negotiations activist and mobilization team of leaders.

August 24, 1984. Petition to State Labor Board for representation of Adjunct faculty.

August 29, 1984. Letter to community/labor allies. Support our contract campaign “It’s time for Quality Education.” We have been there for you: Greyhound Strike, March on Washington, Campaigns against sexual harassment.

August 31, 1984. “Congratulations!” 246 cards presented to SLRB. Required number to trigger election for adjuncts to be represented by union.

November 1984. Part time teachers organizing Bulletin #4. Part time election to be held. November 26- December 12. Ballot mailed to your home by SLRB. Eligibility: any adjunct teaching at least two credits this semester Fall 1984.

November 9, 1984. Letter to Adjuncts. Election process.

November 26, 1984. Letter to Adjuncts. Vote Yes. Part timers committee. December 13, 1984. Hartford Courant. “State College Lecturers join union.” December 13, 1984. SLRB Case # SE-8804. 386 Yes and 95 No.

January 19, 1985. Mass Membership Meeting. Re-affirm your commitment to Congress demands for equitable contract. Vote on actions and appropriate authorizations that will be presented to you.

January 1985. Part-time Teachers Organizing Bulletin. Victory! What is next? Contract survey, form negotiating team, membership drive.

February 8, 1985. Memo to ACLs from Tunxis ACLs. “Equity and Fairness” Specific improvements needed in contract with respect to pay scales for 12 months employees.

February 12, 1985. Congress negotiating team answers attack on its integrity.” Mattatuck chapter officers make false claims to local paper.

February 18, 1985. “An open letter to the Mattatuck Chapter President.” From the 11 other chapter chairs. “Cease divisive actions”

April 18, 1985. “Legislative Bulletin” Update. 4Cs contract to reach GAE (Legislative committee) on April

24. How to lobby your legislator.

April 24, 1985. “Affiliation committee report to the membership” Recommends joint affiliation with AAUP and NUHHCE 1199/AFL-CIO

May 3, 1985. Voting rights for part time faculty and ACLs who work less than 20 hours per week. 1. Employed at community college Spring 1985 2. Signed a membership card

May 9, 1985. Victory! Contract passes Senate 35-1. Wage re-opener 1985-86 is next.

June 1985. Election material for officer election.

1.   Team for Quality Unionism statement of support.

2.   For Political Clout, Progressive trade unionism, Professionalism, Autonomy, Integrity

3.   Join with me to finish what we’ve started.

June 1, 1985. New Dental and Medical insurance as of June 1. Pension Coordinating Committee wins in arbitration.

June 14, 1985. Retirement Bulletin #8. Pension benefits. General Assembly approves legislation that completes the first general pension agreement ever to cover all state employee bargaining units. You have until October 1, 1985 to make the change.

Q: Are you a new employee hired between October 1, 1982 and July 1, 1984? A: If so you can switch to SERS Tier 1 or the ARP.

Q: Are you a new employee hired after July 1, 1984? A: SERS Tier 2.

Q: Are you in the Teachers Retirement System? A: If so you can switch to SERS.

June 25, 1985. Congress Officers Elected. “Team for Quality Unionism” Lipshires, Logston, Gangi, Hager, Marafino, Hinze.

July 18, 1985. Pension rights for Part timers (including lecturers).

Summer-Fall 1985. The Insurgent Sociologist. “Hard times for the Professional Proletariat” National academic journal article by 4Cs adjunct faculty member Barbara Ann Scott.

October 25, 1985. Promotions in place for this year and next. 24 and 32 for ACLs. 42 and 45 for faculty.

November 1985. Telephone script for part time teaching faculty calls.

November 19, 1985. Procedures for referendum on affiliation agreement with AAUP and 1199. Mail ballot.

December 1985. Analysis of Part-time survey results.

#1 priority: Salary increase 56% full time preference 20% job security 11% Fringe benefit priority: retirement 37% medical 32% sick leave PL Days 31%

December 1985. AAUP and 1199 affiliation bid a success. 545 Yes…. 162 No

February 1986. Bulletin. Important information for all ACLs. “Hazardous driving what shall you do?”

March 18, 1986. Dear Colleague, “your perception that the Congress salary proposal reflects disparity between ACLs and teaching faculty indicate a fundamental misunderstanding of both the proposal and the current salary practice for faculty and ACLs.”

April 1986. Part timer’s newsletter. Currently negotiating for 1986-87 wage increase. Proposing 12% increase. Need to lobby to get this.

September 5, 1986. Change of Duties Worksheet and explanation of Willis Classification process.

September 1986. 4Cs Labor Film Series presents The Willmar 8. Other films in series Union Maids, With Babies and Banners, Eugene Debs, Controlling Interest, The Wobblies.

October 1986. Part timers Newsletter and Contract demands survey.

November 1986. Group letters from MxCC and Mohegan ACLs to union leadership. Push Hard for ACL issues.. workload, hours, job descriptions, sabbaticals.

January 1987. Part-time Handbook. “Your rights and benefits as a part timer in the community college system.” First contract 1984-87, 24% increase. Second contract 1987-89, 32% increase.

January 23, 1987. Affiliation agreement between NUHHCE 1199 and CCCC

February 22, 1987. Hartford Courant. “Adjunct faculty paid less for the same work”

May 29, 1987. Legislative Bulletin ’87. Lobbying at the Capitol needed for our new contract.

June 1987. Report: “What is to be done?” Problems faced by adjuncts in higher education. By Steven C. Randall QVCC adjunct.

September 1987. New Contract highlights. 1987 wage package 12% 1988 11%

December 1987. State employee Union Benefit News. Health Care cost containment committee (HCCCC) and managed care.

1988-1992 Bargaining in Hard times: “MCC picket line is first step to protect against more lay-offs.”

February 25, 1988. Letter to chairs of Labor and Public Employees Committee of legislature. HB 5678 Part timer health insurance fact sheet.  Public hearing testimony.

May 11, 1988. “Open letter to ACLs from Committee for ACL Parity” Data and proposal for ACL parity. 4 page report. Per Diem equality ACL and faculty is goal.

May 11, 1988. Sidney Lipshires. 4 page response to report.

September 6, 1988. Re: Passage of PA 88-743 implementation . Allows part timers to buy in to state health insurance at group rate.

November 10, 1988.

1. Pamphlet: 1199, The National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees (NUHHCE) A Brief History
2. SEIU/1199 Merger History memo.
3. There is difference: a comparison between the SEIU and AFSCME Offers.

March 1989. Legislative Bulletin ’89 #3

SB 484 Tuition waiver for faculty, staff, dependents

HB 6614 Protecting the confidentiality of professional evaluations

March 1989. Detailed four page organizing plan for referendum on SEIU over AFSCME affiliation vote for 4Cs.

April 1989. Legislative Bulletin ’89 #5. Intensive lobbying still needed to defend our interests. Merger. Tuition waivers. Parking. Threat to /nursing programs. Budget cuts /lay offs. labor contracts.

June 1989. Referendum Vote in favor of affiliation with SEIU/AFL-CIO

August 1989. Highlights of our new Contract. Wages 6.79% and 8.99%. ACL career ladder. 20 year minimum. Longevity increase.

October 1989. Tuition waiver survey including effort to get UConn and CSU included.

November 1989. Retirement News from 4Cs.

100% retirement funding of retiree health care. Lower retirement age for Tier 2. ARP members must now participate in Social Security.

January 1990. Pamphlet. “The future is here for higher education” Coalition for CT Public Colleges. 4Cs, AFT, AAUP.

February 1990. Flyer. “How will CT stay smart if we keep cutting classes.”

March 19, 1990. March 28 student Rally at Capitol. April 4 state employee “Save our Services” Rally at Capitol.

July 19, 1990. Letter to members: One year contract extension with wage increase of 5% plus step. Best to take this than open contract at terrible budget time like this.

November 11, 1990. New Haven Register. Op-ed. “Rowland Anti labor tactic backfired” by Sidney Lipshires.

December 1990. “What the Weicker victory means to us” “Rowland loses—we win with Weicker”

January 28, 1991. “Light a fire under the Board” turnout to protest at BOT meeting.

February 1991. Legislative Bulletin ’91. Our response to Weicker take back plan—tough but reasonable.” Protect gains made by faculty and staff. Protect the community college system. Indoor Air quality. Private university watch. Tax reform. Civil rights.

February 2, 1991. 4Cs delegate assembly holds state budget crisis conference.

February 19, 1991. “State employee unions unveil economic plan to cut state costs, boost economy.”

Record Journal, Norwalk hour, Journal Inquirer, Republican American, Norwich Bulletin.

February 26, 1991. “Calling all 4Cs members: Rally for Pay Equity”

March 1991. Legislative Bulletin ’91. “For Tax justice modify Weicker plan.”

March 3, 1991. Hartford Courant. “Why won’t the state unions budge” editorial

April 1991. 4Cs legislative Bulletin ’91. Call the governor! Tell him: Don’t Threaten us—Negotiate to end the budget crisis! Stop lay-offs! Restore $5 million to Community college budget.

April 23, 1991. Middletown Press. “MXCC President, Students, at odds over budget.”

April 26, 1991. Legislative Bulletin ’91. “Unions reach tentative agreement with Weicker” 2 year wage deferrals, loss of 1 step, save 150 jobs.

May 1, 1991. Journal Inquirer. “MCC picket line is first step to protest more lay-offs.”

May 10, 1991. News Release. “State employee union conditionally ratifies Weicker agreement.” Congress votes 644-54 ratify wage concessions conditional upon legislature guarantees no further lay-offs in 91-92 budget. Articles in Courant, Register, Journal Inquirer.

July 2, 1991. Emergency state employee rally. If there is no budget on Monday we march on Tuesday!

July 3, 1991. “Legislature’s failure to pass a budget cancels our concession agreement”

July 29, 1991. Legislative Bulletin ’91. Who’s non-essential? What about our raises? Who is to blame? [senate democrats unwilling to pass a budget that includes an income tax].

Summer 1991. “In the News” sampling of news articles featuring 4Cs leaders and activists. Chronicle of higher Education, Bridgeport Post, Courant, FairPress, Journal Inquirer.

September 17, 1991. Legislative Bulletin ’91. Weicker tells unions even if you give me the original concessions: we can’t promise you no lay-offs this year!

September 23, 1991. Union E-Board letter to BOT over lay-off notices.

September 24, 1991. Journal Inquirer. “Colleges face lay-offs without give backs”

October 19, 1991. Delegate Assembly open to all. Here the latest about talks with Weicker. What are we doing to protect members form lay-offs, let your negotiators know how you think we should resolve the crisis?

October 31, 1991. “Trick or Treat! Rally at Weicker’s mansion” We won’t let Weicker TRICK us into concessions agreement without job security. We want him to TREAT state employees fairly.

November 1991. Legislative Bulletin ’91. Ask our BOT: CSU settled—Why can’t we?

November 16, 1991. 4Cs members forum discussion: Income Tax: Repeal or Repair?

January 10, 1992. Membership ratifies Weicker/BOT agreement. Early retirement incentive timeline still ticking Deadline February 29, 1992. BOT and state study group propose new consolidation plans.

January 31, 1992. Legislative Bulletin. Protecting our budget. Weicker announces $1 billion shortfall. Progressive graduated taxes. Saving day care. Protecting collective bargaining. Merger/consolidation plans.

February 5, 1992. 4Cs Community college Letter Writing project. $9million budget cut. Merging colleges. Tuition increase. Faculty/staff cuts.

February 28, 1992. Dear Colleague letter from Sidney Lipshires to members. 3.5 page memo on “the attack on labor in the state, the 1992 state budget crisis with its concomitant threat of lay-offs, higher education merger plans, the consequence of the early retirement program, and 4Cs staffing…. Non carborundum illegitimati! Don’t let the bastards grind you down”

March 23, 1992. Bulletin. HB 5118 attack on bargaining rights dies in committee, SB 367 Harper/Hull consolidation gets unfavorable in education committee, no “add backs “ to community college budget by appropriations, SB 258 Community/Technical College merger voted out of committee, Weicker seeks $150 million more in concessions, Agreement of reimbursement for 1991 furlough days.

April 13, 1992. Bulletin. SEBAC to Weicker- “Honor our Agreement- No, more givebacks” SEBAC will only discuss use of pension funds to fill budget gap.

May 18, 1992. Bulletin. Summary of 1992 Legislation. Merger limited to Community-Techs. $2.5 million added to CC budgets. Union rights protected. No lay-offs.

September 17, 1992. Bulletin. “Victory: 4Cs backed candidates in September primaries.” Miles Rapoport, George Gould, Chris Donovan, Ernest Newton win primaries against anti income tax anti state employee Democrats with many 4Cs members helping as volunteers.

November 6, 1992. Bulletin. Election results: Democrats retain control in state house and senate. 4Cs staff Chris Donovan now a state representative.