Welcome to the Faculty Federation of The Art Institute of Philadelphia, AFSCME Local 3397. The Federation is the local union representing all full- and part-time faculty at The Art Institute of Philadelphia.

Quick Links:

UPDATE:

Business cards for All Faculty!

Previously, Ray Becker stated he felt free business cards should only be available to faculty that applied for and received a title. He felt that limiting business cards to faculty who were granted titles would provide “additional recognition” and “encourage” others into the process.

Apparently, Ray Becker misunderstood the Union’s position on business cards.  After a series of emails between him and President Cheryl Leone, he agreed that all faculty, regardless of title, should be able to receive with free business cards. 

The Union is pleased that this matter was a result of a misunderstanding rather than a hard and fast stand from the administration and the matter was settled without difficulty

April 1, 2008

Administration So Far Silent on Union Software Proposal

Last quarter administration launched Adobe Creative Suite 3 over the objections of those faculty who are required to teach it. The union grieved, arguing that the upgrade to CS3 was a major change and faculty had no time to prepare. The union withdrew its grievance on the promise that the Chief Steward and Dean of Education could negotiate a comprehensive settlement to the whole issue of software distribution.

The union delivered its proposal on November 28 of last year. To date, the union has heard nothing, despite requests for a response. The school’s latest response was that something will be forthcoming “by the end of winter quarter.”

By the end of winter quarter will be four months from the date the union first made its proposal, We can’t imagine the logistics on management’s side are all that complicated. In the silence from the other side, we can’t tell whether management is working out a way to meet our proposal or is simply ignoring it, If the union does receive a reply by the promised date, and makes a counter proposal, management won’t have another four months to respond, since we have agreed to a 120-day window before bringing in a mediator.

On another note: Administration has created a request form for software upgrades. Faculty who have filled out the form to have their workstations upgraded have been consistently ignored, with some waiting since the middle of last quarter. One wonders why faculty who need the software to prep but don’t have access at their desks aren’t doing their office hours from home?

Last Contract Year—Raises Due March 20

The final year of our contract begins March 20, 2008. It’s also the date on which annual salary increases are awarded.

This year, the annual salary increase will be $2.12 per hour. This represents 5% based on the median salary in 2006, which was $42.40. Obviously, individuals who earn less than the median will receive a greater percentage while those who’s hourly rate is more will receive a lower percentage.
The union took this route to attempt to bring up those at the bottom of the salary range so that any future across the board percentage increase will have a greater effect.

Historically, raises aren’t awarded immediately on March 20. In the past, the raise has been figured in early in April, with faculty receiving retroactive pay back to March 20. As of this writing, we haven’t discussed the pay distribution with management, but we expect this year will follow others.

Scheduling: What the Contract Says

So we’re all on the same page, your AD cannot compel you to submit a schedule request prior to the third week via email. The contract states emphatically that schedule requests are submitted in week three, and the practice of submitting paper to the Education office is so regular as to be considered part of a working condition. An AD can ask for something else, but faculty who submit via paper in week three must be honored. The union encourages faculty to use the paper system, and keep a copy.

Incidentally, there is no contractual provision preventing an AD from divulging a faculty member’s schedule prior to week eight. The school waits until after students register to release schedules, in case something has to be changed, but the contract only specifies that faculty receive schedules in week eight. It doesn’t prohibit earlier announcement.

Dickerson Recieves Ballinglen Fellowship

Brian Dickerson has been awarded a Ballinglen Foundation Fellowship. The Ballinglen Arts Foundation was created in 1991 to bring together established international artists and emerging artists of recognized ability from Ireland and abroad to live and work in North Mayo, to benefit both the artists and the community. Operating from the Ballinglen Centre in Ballycastle, a village in the remote seacoast of North County Mayo, Ireland, the Foundation supports serious artists making important work in ideal, inspiring conditions.

The Fellowship Program is highly competitive. Award based, the Fellowship provides artists with a house and studio for periods from four weeks to several months. The Foundation also curates international exhibitions of works produced by Fellows of the Foundation.

Photo Department Boycott Gets Results

The photo faculty have been trying for the past year and a half to get room 504, the main photo classroom, upgraded with a new projector and blackout shades. The projector provided was so dark students couldn’t see subtle Photoshop manipulations, and the room leaks so much light the image on the screen is often unviewable.

This past quarter, one photo instructor who routinely does open house decided he would no longer participate until the room was updated. One conversation led to another, the initial instructor sent out an email to colleagues, and before long a boycott of open house was taking place. The department had nearly unanimous support, including individuals who don’t teach in that room.

Jay Pastelak, photo steward, informed Dean of Education Ray Becker the Monday prior to open house that no photo faculty would work open house until the room was repaired.

On Tuesday afternoon Dean Becker told Jay that the new projector was being installed between afternoon and evening classes that day. The blackout shades would take a bit longer, since budget money couldn’t be reapportioned until sometime in March, but the blinds would be in place during the Spring.
Photo faculty worked open house. Shows what we can do as a group.

Another Faculty Soiree Announced

Save the date: the Faculty Federation is hosting another cocktail party on April 16 between the hours of 4:45 and 7:00 p.m.

The party will take place in the Walnut Room at AFLA, 1709 Walnut Street. The event will include open bar and hors d’ourves.

We’ve intentionally scheduled the party for between classes so those who have evening classes can attend.

Business Cards Available

The Art Institute can provide business cards to any faculty member who requests them. Ask in the Education office, 1610 Chestnut street. Business cards must contain an AiPH email address and telephone.

Rumor: Fiction, not Fact

Somoe people have been up in arms over a story that faculty attending school must attend an EMC-owned school. This is not true. While individuals may be encouraged to attend an EMC school, people may still attend the institution of their choice. Payment is still made at state school rates.

Recycling Efforts Gain Traction

Last quarter, in response to faculty questions about why we don’t do it, Linda Karp (GD) began a petition asking the school to begin recycling. She and Animation faculty member Colin Merlo handed Dr. Bill Larkin over six pages of names from faculty, students and staff.

Dr.. Larkin’s response was positive. He said we will recycle, it’s a goal of his for the end of this year. The prospect is expensive, he said, but he wants to do it.

Linda and Colin are working on ways to make the recycling effort a school-wide event. She had offered to run some kind of contest in the Graphic Design department for the sineage, and there was a suggestion to have a similar contest in animation for a short video promoting recycling.

Those who have been here some time might recall we did have a recycling effort in place about ten years ago. That program seemed to die off for reasons unknown to us. But with all the paper we generate, we can’t afford not to have it.

Cronin Heads Comey Institute for Labor Relations

Many of you have already heard that Tom Cronin, recently retired president of Council 47, has been chosen to head the Comey Institute of Labor Relations at St.. Joseph’s University. Tom has three years to make this happen, and is soliciting support among Philadelphia unions.

The Philadelphia AFL-CIO is helping out. Classes are only $60 per course and run four to eight weeks. Spring sessions will be held at the AFL-CIO offices, Philaposh, or the SEIU, Local 1201 offices.

Courses being offered this semester are: Conflict Resolution; Building Trades Labor Law; Grievance and Arbitration; Public Relations; Occupational Health and Safety; and Public Sector Labor Law.

The executive board is entertaining a proposal to cover the tuition for three members per term who wish to enroll in any of these classes. This is an excellent opportunity for stewards or others who wish to learn more about the union and how unions can work effectively.

Classes begin the first week of March, so we may not get anyone in this term, but we’ll keep everyone appraised in future terms.

President: Cheryl Leone
Executive Vice President: Alan Gross
Vice President at Large: Cherie Haines, Brian Dickerson, Linda Kudzmas
Treasurer: Wayne Uffer
Recording Secretary: Megan Dennis
Chief Steward: Jay Pastelak

It's always the little things that make the difference…

The coffee cups on our page are a reminder of the union's organizing days.

Back in 1984, the administration of The Art Institute increased the full-time workload by 20%, without increasing pay, while decreasing part-time salaries by the same 20%. Immediately afterward, like a little insult, that same administration began charging ten cents for a cup of what had been free (and not very good) coffee. Charging for coffee was that tiny issue that became a symbol of the administration's disregard for its workers. The coffee cup remains as a reminder of that disregard.

To find out more about the Faculty Federation, click on the links. Our contract is posted on this site, as well as our history and other assorted information.

Thanks for visiting.