Faculty union forges its identity
 December
3, 2003 Ellis
Gage Searles - and the side of her car.
Branding. Name recognition. Identity. It's more than the latest mantra
from advertising agencies - it's the stuff that builds local unions. Here's
the local and its plan: Mohawk Valley Community College Professional Association
- to build a local union that was larger, more active and more identifiable. President
Ellis Gage Searles outlined steps the local took to achieve those goals in a presentation
at the annual New York State United Teachers Community College Conference in November.
- Create a mission statement - The association went on a weekend retreat
and drafted a constitution, bylaws and a mission statement: "PA is the vehicle
to address the issues and forces affecting the professional lives of the employees
it represents."
- Develop a brand - The 270-member local developed
a logo and put it on lapels, T-shirts, a banner and magnetic car signs.
- Educate
members - New-member binders were developed with information about the local,
NYSUT, and the new contract. The union newsletter added regular articles from
union committees. Regular e-mails are sent to members with the minutes from each
meeting. "I can't tell you how many members said,'I had no idea what you guys
did,'" Searles said.
- Get to know members - The local developed
a survey, posted on its Web site (www.mvccpa.org),
to learn members' interests. Responses went to the PA's database, and respondents
received T-shirts with the new logo. Information from the responses helped drive
action: e.g., if several members were already raising funds on their own for the
same organization, the association coordinated to have those members wears PA
T-shirts and increase the local's visibility.
Professional workshops
were scheduled on subjects of concern, such as campus safety. The local
started honoring retirees with presentations at an annual luncheon, "because the
college did nothing," Searles said. "People would sort of hand in their keys and
go home." The union increased participation at commencement, with Searles
handing graduates handsome, brass key chains. - Use scholarships
to educate - The PA combined its several gifts into one $1,000 scholarship,
with applicants writing about the role of community colleges or labor unions.
- Political
action - The local assigned members to attend each Oneida County board meeting
to contribute to discussions about the college, which gets funding from the local
counties. This year, the local began making endorsements in county board races.
Mohawk
Valley was the first community college to be accepted into NYSUT's three-year
Local Action Project, with intensive training in community outreach and local
building. - Solidarity - The PA became more active in the
Central New York Central Labor Council, including assistance to other unions on
picket lines.
- Liza Frenette |
|
