Print

E-mail

Harper College may be the most beautiful community college campus in Illinois. Everything has been chosen to make the students aware of their real college environment. When the Pro-Techs meet, they also have a beautiful time, because they meet in an enormous stadium-seating classroom with a huge screen for an overhead projector/videotape/DVD playing machine. 

 

On Sept. 24 in E-107, however, there was neither screening of any classic films nor images of a biology experiment but rather the Harper College Pro-Tech Chapter with Chapter Chair Margie McGowan hosting an informal luncheon. Yes, the brothers and sisters from the union downtown were there too with Local 1600 President Perry Buckley in the leadership, his assistant Randy Barnette, Secretary Pat Wenthold (one of the chapter members) and V. P. Classified Jillian Verstrate.

 

After the members filled their plates with a variety of Jimmy John’s sandwiches cut into thirds, to make them easier to negotiate into their mouths, they listened to McGowan’s introductions of everyone and a brief commentary on what was happening in the chapter. Then, without further ado, Perry Buckley took the podium.

 

Buckley noted how happy he was that the members of this chapter had extended their contract at a relatively high rate of pay for 2010-2012 compared to the relatively lower rates that all unions in Illinois were receiving today (though the Cook County College Teachers Union is still at the top of that list).

 

Buckley stressed that our pensions—which currently are receiving a 3% cost-of-living raise and are guaranteed by the State of Illinois—have come under fire. While the pensions themselves can’t be touched, the 3% cost-of-living raises may be at risk. In addition, attempts have been made before and may be made again to reduce the pension benefits for newly hired faculty and staff members. He noted that Harper’s Dave Richmond was currently serving on the Governor’s Task Force on Funding of Community Colleges—a good thing for our members. 

 

Then, he noted the success that the CCCTU has had in sponsoring more union-friendly state legislators—e.g. State Rep. Fred Crespo (D-44, Hoffman Estates), elected to a district that hadn’t elected a Democrat for some time and State Senator Dan Kotowski (D-33, Park Ridge), whose district hadn’t elected a Democrat since the Civil War era—thanks to the union’s COPE fund.

 

Following his remarks, Asst. to the President Randy Barnette made a presentation for the members to join our College & University Credit Union. Members can now borrow money for automobile loans at the rate of 3.9% for new cars, as Pat Wenthold verified when she took out an auto loan recently.

 

After the new grievance chair, Mike Vanlandingham gave his report, the meeting ended with some folks—such as Henrietta Neeley, Ryan Graham and others—coming forward to increase their COPE contribution and to receive hats, shirts of fleece jackets. The meeting ended with a happy crowd, particularly those who took to their offices some of the extra Jimmy John’s sandwiches.