Monroe college OKs faculty contract
11/27/2013MONROE — The Monroe County Community College’s board of trustees approved a three-year contract with its faculty union on Monday.
The contract, which was ratified by the MCCC Faculty Association on Nov. 21, would increase the salary schedule for faculty 1 percent each year, and each faculty member will receive a $500 signing bonus this year. The board of trustees approved the contract with a 6-0 vote, with a member absent.
Faculty last approved a new contract in 2010, and extended that contract with the college in 2012 for another year. That pact included a pay freeze, association President Mark Bergmooser said.
While the new contract includes raises, state-mandated changes to retirement and health-care plans mean most faculty will end up with less take-home pay this year, leaders said.
Patrick Nedry, the union’s chief negotiator, estimated that a cap on employer health-care contributions means faculty could pay between $750 and $3,000 for health-care premiums, depending on their plan and relationship status.
The union’s contract expired Aug. 23, and the pay increase is not retroactive, so faculty will not get a full 1 percent raise this year, Mr. Nedry said.
“Faculty haven’t by any means caught up,” he said.
A college spokesman also said the two parties signed a memorandum of understanding to discuss a possible bonus plan for faculty. He estimated the cost of the pay raise, signing bonus, and longevity increases for faculty at about $162,500 this year.
The college has 65 full-time faculty members, 60 of whom are members of the union, Mr. Bergmooser said.
Contact Nolan Rosenkrans at: nrosenkrans@theblade.com or 419-724-6086, or on Twitter @NolanRosenkrans.