September 2022 Newsletter

Faculty

President: Albert Fu, Anthropology/Sociology

Vice President: Jason Lanter, Psychology

Secretary: Tabetha Bernstein Danis, SpecialEd.

Treasurer: Anke Walz, Mathematics

Delegate: Darren Achey,PhysicalSciences

Delegate: Jonathan Joy, Cinema,TV,&Media Delegate: Lisa Frye,ComputerScience

Delegate: Mahfuzul Khondaker,CriminalJustice Delegate: Amanda Morris, English

Delegate: Christopher Bloh, SpecialEd.

Delegate: Brandon Krieg, English

Alternate: Kaoutar El Mounadi,Biology

Alternate: Robert Kilker,English

Alternate: Stephen Oross III, Psychology

Alternate: Mary Rita Weller,SocialWork

President: Tim Flannery

Vice President: Judith Lawes

Kutztown University APSCUF

Old Main 203A, Kutztown University, Kutztown, PA 19530

• Phone: 610-683-4277 •

Old Main 203A, Kutztown University, Kutztown, PA 19530 • Phone: 610 683 4277

Dear colleagues,

APSCUF.org/universities/Kutztown

APSCUF.org/universities/Kutztown

First, I want to welcome all new members and recognize returning members for your ongoing service. Second, I think it is also important to acknowledge our recently retired colleagues. It doesn’t hurt to email them, comment on a Facebook post, or reach out somehow. APSCUF does not stand alone. We have APSCURF, students, and our communities as the basis of our power. This power comes from people.

So, where are we now as a union full of real human beings? Here is a brief “state of the union.” The following is data from annual FactSheets produced by KU’s Office of Institutional Research.

Headcount Staffing and Enrollment (2003-2021)

0 2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,000 12,000

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450

Source: KU FactSheets

First, as you can see, we’ve seen a significant reduction in faculty over the years. This is the byproduct of resignations, retirements, and the lack of hiring. This has “saved” KU millions of dollars. According to data provided to Statewide Meet & Discuss, phased retirement alone will “save” $1.5 million over 5 years in salary and benefits at KU. This has resulted in an increase in our reserves and “improvement” in other metrics mandated by the Office of the Chancellor.

Reported Resignations and Retirements (2016-2019)

Source: Inactive Faculty Report

Yet, what is the cost to the mental health of our members? We continue to serve our students by doing more with less. This past spring, a retiree said they could have held on a few more years but couldn’t take the added stress anymore. It wasn’t just the stress of increased workload but the climate on campus.

Lastly, we need a strong APSCUF to push back against this trend. Membership numbers at the start of the semester below indicate a decline from over 90% during the 2016 strike.

Total members 357, total active contracts 450 for 79.3%

Total faculty members 337, total active contracts 411 for 82%

Total coach members 20, total active contracts 39 for 51.3%

There is no singular driver of this. The increase of part time versus full time temporary faculty since 2016, Janus v. AFSCME in 2018, and the pandemic have all played a role. However, as a sociologist, I think a lot about both structure and agency. As a union, we need to remember our roots as a social movement organization. This means adapting, strategizing, and mobilizing our people power is ever more essential.

In Solidarity, Albert S. Fu

2022

Resigned TT Fac Retired

APSCUFStateLeadership

Address: 319 North Front Street Harrisburg, PA 17101

Phone Number: (717) 236 7486

President: Ken Mash, EastStoudsburg

Vice President: Chris Hallen, Bloomsburg

Treasurer: Tom Stewart, Kutztown

Secretary: Michele Papakie, SlipperyRock

Coach Executive Leader: John Gump, Kutztown

Faculty Officer At Large: Michelle Jones Wilson, EastStroudsburg

Faculty Officer At Large: Matthew Girton, LockHaven

Faculty Officer-At-Large: Mahfuzul Khondaker, Kutztown

Executive Assistant: Katie Jeffries,executiveassistanttothepresident: ext. 3005

Finance and Facilities Beth Connelly,directoroffinanceandfacilities: ext. 3004

Government and Public Relations:

Sean Crampsie,directorofgovernmentrelations: ext. 3014

Kathryn Morton,communicationsdirector: ext. 3007

Ty Marks,administrativeassistant: ext. 3024

Labor Relations, (Grievance Faculty and Coaches):

Mary Rita DuVall, headoflaborrelations:ext. 2

Julie A. Reese, director: ext. 2

Joshua J. Grubbs, director: ext. 2

Sara E. Miller, director: ext. 2

Jewel Tunstall, ext. 3018

Angela Belcher, ext. 3015

Membership Services:

Bim Arthun, director: ext. 3021

Organizing: Chabria Thomas,directoroforganizing: ext. 3022

Researcher: Chris Dunne, researcher: ext. 3026

Railroad Strike Averted By Negotiations

By Grace Heinlein

This past week, management of the railroad industry sat on the edge of their seats as freight companies waited to see if their workers would go on strike. The workers said that if their conditions weren’t met by Friday, September 16th, they would walk out.

President Biden was called in to aid with negotiations last Wednesday night around 9 pm. On Thursday morning, just before the union’s deadline, an agreement was reached. The new deal, Biden says, will be beneficial to not only the employees, but also the freight companies.

The deal between railroad management and railroad unions focuses on several problems, mainly surrounding conversations about better pay and working conditions. The conversation was halted when employees were trying to negotiate for additional unpaid time. Eventually, this time off was granted, as well as being granted an additional day off. Employees can now go to scheduled appointments without fear of repercussions.

They were also told their insurance premiums could not be increased during the next contract negotiations. Freight companies, along with the unions, applauded the deal for benefiting both sides, even after several compromises. The unions also negotiated a 24% pay increase for workers over the next five years.

If the railroad unions had gone on strike, it would have caused a stoppage in shipping throughout the country. For every day that the strike would have gone on, there would be a $2 billion price tag. This happening during the upcoming holiday season, as well as during mid term elections, prompted Biden to take the unusual step of directly entering the negotiation process.

Since the tentative agreement was reached last week, railroads have started running once again and employees have returned to their jobs. Having improved conditions and a pay increase for employees are big steps for the railroad unions, and hopefully, it can help pave the way for better treatment for all union workers.

APSCURF-KU Members gather for a luncheon at the Hampton Inn

Marissa Wallace, Special education

Meet APSCUF KU

Secretary:

new

Dr. Tabetha Bernstein

Faculty

Edward Probasco, English Faculty

Meghan Owenz, Psychology Faculty

Cristina Cummings, Biology Faculty

Casey Horvath, Special Education Faculty

Sean Weaver, English Faculty

Katherine Ache, Elementary, Middle Level, Library & Tech Ed Faculty

Julie King, English Faculty

Holly Gruber, Sports Medicine Faculty

Amber Auchenbach, Intercollegiate Field Hockey Coach Athletic Service

Jay Wang, Computer Science & Information Technology Faculty