ASSC April 2020 Service Project

The Academic Staff Steering Committee (ASSC) is dedicated to support the well-being of Wayne State University Academic Staff Members. Every year we provide the opportunity for Academic Staff to give back to the local community with the ASSC Service Project. This year we were going to support The Detroit Police Athletic Club (Detroit PAL), a non-profit who supports Detroit youth and young adults from ages 4 to 30. The organization sponsors free sport leagues, mentoring opportunities, workforce development, and college readiness programs. More information on the organization can be found here: DetroitPAL.org.

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak we were unable to bring them to the University, and like most people, the organization has been hit hard with all the necessary but difficult daily changes. However, the ASSC hopes to still be able to support this great organization with an online campaign with the support of AAUP-AFT Local-6075.

We ask our members to help in anyway possible. Help could include circulating the organization's information and videos or donating directly to Detroit PAL at DetroitPAL.org/DonateNow.

If you do donate please include the following:

"In support of Detroit youth and their families, from AAUP-AFT Local 6075 Wayne State University".

Thank you,

Academic Staff Steering Committee (ASSC)

01/15/19 Exploring Child Care Options @ WSU video

is now on YouTube

14 Cities With the Strongest Unions

"The once formidable power of labor unions has declined considerably in the United States. More than 20% of U.S. workers belonged to a union in 1983. Today, just over one in 10 U.S. workers are union members. While unions are virtually non-existent in some parts of the country, like Charleston, South Carolina, a number of urban areas remain union strongholds."

Read more...

EMU full-time lecturers' union outlines platform as negotiations begin

"Salary, workload, professional development and more secure medical leaves will be among the major focuses of Eastern Michigan University's full-time lecturers as they entered contract negotiations with the university Wednesday."

more at MLive

Higher ed is key to a state’s success, and should be supported

"Across the nation, public policymakers are starting to let data drive decisions. That’s why the most successful states – states where you can live long and prosper, to borrow a phrase – are those that are doing more to prepare, retain and attract young college graduates."   more via Bridge MI

Teacher Appreciation Week 2016

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This is Teacher Appreciation Week,

As we finish the academic year, we want to stop and recognize the hard work and dedication of our members to Wayne State’s students in and out of the classroom.  Union members spend countless hours encouraging the intellectual growth of our students in the classroom; grading; developing classes; helping students with their research; providing them counseling and career advice; and a multitude of other tasks in making sure that they are healthy and happy at our university.  Most of your work is unnoticed and probably under compensated.  

While education work should be appreciated every week, this week does give us all an opportunity to recognize our fellow union members for all that they do as educators in helping our students.

There are other members of our union as well, not at Wayne and not even in HIgher Education, they are members of local K-12 teacher and support unions across the state and beyond, who pushed our students toward college. They too deserve recognition. Particularly in these times, when teachers are so often the targets of undeserved criticism, we should think of them, and raise our voices to thank them for their labors.

Your Union applauds the joy, dedication, and energy that faculty and academic staff put into teaching and supporting WSU students. 

Thank you for all of your hard work.  

Make It a Union-Made Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is less than a week away (May 8), so you have no excuse for waiting until the last minute to find a nice tribute for mom that also carries the union label. Our friends at Labor 411, the union business directory from the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, can help you out.

If you want to go the traditional route with some top-of-the-line chocolates, take a look at these from the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM) and the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW). 

Chocolates

• Ghirardelli
• Hershey's
• Russell Stover
• See’s Candies

If she deserves a little pampering, try health and beauty products made by UFCW and UAW members.

Beauty Products

• Caress skin care
• Dove beauty care
• L'Oréal
• Revlon

Union Plus members also receive a 25% discount on flowers from Teleflora or gift baskets from GiftTree.

If your mom enjoys an occasional libation—particularly on her special day—click here for a list of beverages, from small batch bourbons like Basil Hayden's, Blanton’s and Booker's; beers, from Budweiser to Goose Island; and wines and champagne, from fruity screw tops to fine vintages. Mother’s Day cocktail hour is brought to you by the Machinists (IAM), the Operating Engineers (IUOE), the Teamsters, the United Farm Workers, the UAW and the UFCW.

see original post at AFL-CIO

Stipends Available Conducting Community Assessments in Flint

The Data & Gap Analysis workgroup of the Flint Community Resilience Group will be CASPER (Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response). Our main CASPER objectives are to assess the state of behavioral/mental health in the community, and identify factors inhibiting people’s ability to access services.
conducting a needs assessment with assistance from the CDC. This needs assessment is called 

Teams of two will conduct 15-20 minute interview-style household surveys throughout the community. They are looking for community members and other individuals who are interested in being involved. The CASPER dates are set for:

·         May 17: training 9am-12pm (required), field day 2-7pm

·         May 18: field day 2-7pm

·         May 19: possible additional field day if needed

There will be a $10/hour stipend, plus gas reimbursement for drivers. It is okay if you are only available one of dates above, as long as you attend the training on May 17. 

Please contact Trisha Reynolds (preynolds@genhs.org or 810-496-5548) as soon as possible if you are interested and let them know you were referred by NASW-Michigan. 

More info on Flint Response

Allan Wachendorfer, LLMSW 

Director of Public Policy

National Association of Social Workers - Michigan Chapter

741 N. Cedar St. 

Lansing, MI 48910

517-487-1548 ext. 11

http://NASW-Michigan.org

Legislative Action Center

Labor & Neighbors; Building Healthy Communities Together

Two health fairs, April 23 and April 30.  Among other things, these are the offering:

1.       Blood pressure screening 

2.       Body Mass Index screening, advice and interpretation

3.       Dental screening 

4.       Cooking and food demonstrations by local food banks and Molina Healthcare (April 30^th only)

5.       Health book giveaways

6.       Lead in Drinking Water advice and kits

7.       Information on least toxic, asthma friendly cleaning in homes and schools 

8.       Information and demo on integrated pest management in homes and schools 

           (i.e. bed-bugs, roaches, mice and other pests)

9.       General health , nutrition and fitness information for all participants and groceries

10.   Tentatively other screening by the National Kidney Foundation and other partners

Also, depending on volunteer recruitment, probably mini health presentations on a variety of issues including asthma-proofing your home or school. Also hygiene kits as a take away that includes shampoo, soap, lotion and other items.

   

April 12th is Equal Pay Day!

April 12th is Equal Pay Day! This day symbolizes how far into the year women must work to earn on average what men earned in the previous year. The President's Commission on the Status of Women will be hosting a bake sale where goods will be sold for $1 for men and $.79 for women. All proceeds will go to charity. The bake sale will be held in Old Main from 11 AM - 1 PM. (events @ wayne)

Michigan Equal Pay Coalition and the MI-ACE Network are sponsoring Red Out symbolizing how far into the year women must work to earn on average what men earned in the previous year.

Five Money Questions for Women. Sponsored by the Gender and Equity Committees, this Edward Jones brown bag seminar in the Community Room,  3^rd floor of the Undergraduate Library explores differing considerations when it comes to long term financial goals. If you have not done so, please feel free to register on Academica now.

Don’t forget to stop by the Equal Pay Day Bake Sale 11 AM-1 PM in Old Main 2nd floor lounge. Sponsored by the Information & Research Committee, prices of baked goods sold at this event take the wage gap in account (men pay $1/women$.79) and proceeds will benefit the WSU HIGH program.

AFT Student Debt Workshops

Workshop times/locations: 

1. Eastern Michigan University –
   • Time: Wednesday, April 6, 2016 (6:00 pm – 8 pm)
   • Location: EMU Student Center, 900 Oakwood St., Rm. 252, Ypsilanti, MI 48197

2. Wayne State University –
   • Time: Thursday, April 7, 2016 (11:00 am – 1 pm)
   • Location: WSU Student Center, 5221 Gullen Mall, Rm. 285, Detroit, MI 48202

3. Henry Ford College –
• Time: Thursday, April 7, 2016 (7:00 pm – 9 pm)
• Location:F.C. Liberal Arts Building, 5101 Evergreen Rd, Rm. K-14, Dearborn, MI 48128

Please REGISTER HERE, as space is limited.   

NYTimes.com: Rule to Require Employers to Disclose Use of Anti-Union Consultants

"Wednesday released the final version of a rule requiring employers to disclose relationships with the consultants they hire to help persuade workers not to form a union or support a union’s collective bargaining position."

Read more...

Report calls for tighter rein on UW System faculty tenure

"The report, which critics called a thinly researched political attack, is timed to an upcoming regents vote March 10 on a new tenure policy. The policy is needed because existing tenure policy was shifted from state statute to the Board of Regents by the state Legislature...

The institute is a think tank financially supported by the conservative Bradley Foundation."

More via Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel and the Trouble With Tenure report.

When May I Shoot a Student?

BOISE, Idaho — TO 
the chief counsel of the 
Idaho State Legislature:

In light of the bill permitting guns on our state’s college and university campuses, which is likely to be approved by the state House of Representatives in the coming days, I have a matter of practical concern that I hope you can help with: When may I shoot a student?

I am a biology professor, not a lawyer, and I had never considered bringing a gun to work until now. But since many of my students are likely to be armed, I thought it would be a good idea to even the playing field.

I find it ironic that this half-baked idea emanates from Idaho. They should legalize potato guns on campuses instead.

I have had encounters with disgruntled students over the years, some of whom seemed quite upset, but I always assumed that when they reached into their backpacks they were going for a pencil. Since I carry a pen to lecture, I did not feel outgunned; and because there are no working sharpeners in the lecture hall, the most they could get off is a single point. But now that we’ll all be packing heat, I would like legal instruction in the rules of classroom engagement.

more via NYTimes

Union Rights for Graduate Employees

"The AAUP filed an amicus brief with the National Labor Relations Board arguing that graduate assistants at private sector institutions should be considered employees with collective bargaining rights. The brief responded to an invitation from the NLRB to file amicus briefs in addressing whether the Board should modify or overrule its 2004 decision in Brown University, which had found that graduate assistants were not employees and therefore did not have statutory rights to unionize. 342 NLRB 483 (2004). In the amicus brief the AAUP argued that the Board should overrule Brown, explaining that graduate assistants are employees with collective bargaining rights, and that collective bargaining promotes academic freedom and does not harm faculty-student mentoring relationships."

Read more at AAUP.org ...

Everyday Heroes 2016

We know that countless AFT members go beyond their regular responsibilities and make a difference every day in their workplace or the community. We want to hear about these everyday heroes and give them the recognition they deserve.

This could be a co-worker who has made a difference in his or her workplace; a member who has has had a profound and positive impact on the community; or someone whose extraordinary contribution in his or her field of work, or to the lives of others, has been heroic.Nominate this person today, and you'll be entered to win a $250 American Express gift card. We will identify semifinalists from each of our constituencies: teachers, PSRPs, early childhood educators, higher education faculty, public employees, healthcare professionals and retirees. After a nationwide voting process, the finalists will be honored at the 2016 AFT convention in Minneapolis.

You have until March 11 to nominate an Everyday Hero. Use this brief nomination form.(link is external)
Nominate as many people as you like, but nominees must be AFT members.


(source)

Debt by Degrees

"New data from the U.S. Department of Education shows in unprecedented detail how much federal student loan debt college students from low-income families are being saddled with. Use this interactive database to search among 6,000 schools in the U.S. to see how much they support their poorest students financially."

Read more at ProPublica...

11/19/15 ASSC "Snow Pile Program"

video recording is now available on YouTube

NY Daily News article: College professors paid shamefully low wages

 "If you thought only fast food workers, home attendants and the like were abused and exploited by their employers and were willing to protest and risk arrest for demanding their rights, think again.

College professors — an exalted profession by any definition — increasingly find themselves in the same boat. And as they showed with their actions last week, the instructors are fed up with being mistreated and are also prepared to be arrested fighting for fairness and respect."

Read more at NY Daily News...

Michigan spends more on prisons than colleges

Michigan is one of eleven states that spend more on prisons than colleges - read the full Washington Post article here