Release date: March 6, 2008
For more information, contact:: Beth Franz, 419-755- 4752
At the conclusion of two days of balloting (March 4 and 5), the faculty of North Central State College have elected North Central State College Faculty Association (NCSFA-AAUP) as their exclusive representative for collective bargaining. NCSFA-AAUP is a chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), an organization of more than 45,000 members at colleges and universities across the country.
In Ohio, North Central State College joins other local AAUP collective bargaining chapters at: Central State, Cincinnati Technical and Community College, The University of Cincinnati, Cleveland State, Cuyahoga Community College, Kent State, University of Toledo, University of Akron, Wilberforce University, and Wright State.
The election was conducted by the State Employee Relations Board (SERB). Ninety-five percent of the 60-member bargaining unit voted, with 61% voting for NCSFA-AAUP as the collective bargaining representative, and 39% voting for no representative. According to Beth Franz, NSCFA-AAUP chapter president, “This is a huge step forward for the faculty, who simply wish to have a formal collective voice in the affairs of the college, a voice that will be heard by the Administration. As faculty, we know our students and care about their success. We believe that having a formal voice in the affairs of the college will allow us to help the Administration make decisions that are in the best interest of both the institution itself and the students that we are here to serve.”
According to Associate Professor Franz, the next step is to begin preparation for negotiating the first collective bargaining agreement with the college. “In the months leading up to this election, a group of faculty has laid the foundation for the work that will now be the group’s main focus as the group prepares to negotiate its first contract. We will be reaching out to all members of the unit to join the Association and to contribute their ideas as we chart a course forward from here that is in the college’s collective best interest.”
The successful election marks the conclusion of a campaign that began 17 months ago. In October 2006, the NCSFA began meeting and planning the campaign. In March 2007, cards signed by a majority of the bargaining unit were filed with SERB. The summer months were spent in SERB-hearing-related activities aimed at clarifying the definition of the unit, and the fall and winter months were spent making arrangements for the election that was held March 4th and 5th.
For more information, please contact Beth Franz, at 419-755- 4752; president of the NCSFA-AAUP chapter.
The American Association of University Professors is a nonprofit charitable and educational organization that promotes academic freedom by supporting tenure, academic due process, shared governance and standards of quality in higher education. The AAUP has about 45,000 members at colleges and universities throughout the United States.