Watch the Presentation: Why You Should Vote YES on Issue 2

Ohio Conference AAUP Executive Director Sara Kilpatrick has been traveling to our AAUP Chapters all over the state delivering a PowerPoint presentation about why we need to pass State Issue 2 this November 6.   

We know our members are busy, but we hope that you will take the time to watch and share the important messages of the presentation. 

Ohio Conference AAUP Executive Director Sara Kilpatrick has been traveling to our AAUP Chapters all over the state delivering a PowerPoint presentation about why we need to pass State Issue 2 this November 6.  

However, if you want to see a 30-second version from Voters First, their first TV ad is below. We hope you will share these videos on Facebook, Twitter, and e-mail.

But we realize that many of our members have not been able to see the presentation in person.  The link below will take you to a YouTube page where you can view the 15-minute narrated PowerPoint presentation:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-fNQkGzM5g&feature=youtu.be
 Why You Should Vote YES on 
Ohio State Issue 2 
We know our members are busy, but we hope that you will take the time to watch and share the important messages of the presentation. 

However, if you want to see a 30-second version from Voters First, their first TV ad is below. We hope you will share these videos on Facebook, Twitter, and e-mail.

 Voters First – First TV Ad – YES On Issue 2

Moreover, this link will take you to an interactive map that will explain why Ohio’s new congressional districts have such odd shapes:

Interactive Map – Politicians Pick Their Voters

 Voters First – First TV Ad – YES On Issue 2

Moreover, this link will take you to an interactive map that will explain why Ohio’s new congressional districts have such odd shapes:

Interactive Map – Politicians Pick Their Voters

We hope you agree that voting YES on ISSUE 2 is critical.  Spread the word!

Wright State University Full-Time  Non-Tenure Track Faculty Vote to Unionize

By a vote of 92 Yes to 29 No, the full-time non-tenure track (FTNTT) faculty at Wright State University voted overwhelmingly to have the Wright State University Chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP-WSU) represent them as their exclusive bargaining agent.  The votes were counted at the State Employment Relations Board (SERB) in Columbus on Tuesday, October 9, 2012. The vote demonstrates the dissatisfaction of the FTNTT faculty with the WSU administration’s unilateral imposition of a one-size-fits-all teaching load on this group of faculty. A faculty committee representing the FTNTT faculty worked for two years on an alternative teaching load policy, which was passed by the University’s Faculty Senate. However, the university administration ignored the Senate’s recommendation and unilaterally imposed a new teaching load policy. Professor Martin Kich, president of AAUP-WSU, said in a statement, “This is a group of faculty who do a substantial portion of the undergraduate teaching at Wright State University, and their teaching conditions represent our students learning conditions. We are very concerned that the increasing teaching load for this group of faculty will degrade the quality of education that we provide to our students.” The new bargaining unit will represent approximately 175 full-time non-tenure track faculty. The tenure track faculty are already represented by AAUP-WSU. Congratulations to all of those who worked hard to make this happen!

Sincerely,  Ohio Conference AAUP Communications Committee

Early Voting Starts Today in Ohio (and other important dates) 

Early voting begins in Ohio today, Tuesday, October 2. Early voting is a great way to make sure nothing stands between you and voting – you can vote in-person at your county Board of Elections office or request a vote-by-mail ballot. Next Tuesday, October 9, is the last day Ohioans can register to vote. Check your registration status on the Ohio Secretary of State’s website. If you need to update your registration because you changed your name or address, you can use this online form for that, too. If you are not registered, complete a registration form. Access an online voter registration form.  Fill in the required information, sign, and mail. Once you’ve verified your registration, you can request a Vote-By-Mail ballot through the Ohio Secretary of State’s website. Voting early allows you to skip the lines (and takes you off most candidate’s phone and mailings lists). October 2-9 is known as “Golden Week,” in which citizens can register to vote and cast their ballot at the same time at their county Board of Elections. Take advantage of this opportunity if you still need to register!  With over a month to cast your ballot, there is no excuse not to vote!  Make your voice heard! This Year It’s YES on ISSUE 2! Have you removed last year’s bumper sticker yet? Because this year it’s YES on ISSUE 2! Issue 2 is the Voters First constitutional amendment to change Ohio’s redistricting system. By voting YES on 2, you will be voting to restore fairness to Ohio’s electoral system.  The current redistricting system is rigged in favor of the party in power and special interests. Politicians get to draw their own district lines and insulate themselves from having to be accountable to the people. This is why we see divisive legislation like SB 5; and unless we fundamentally change the system, we will see other anti-union and anti-education bills be put forth in the legislature. In an endorsement of Issue 2, the Toledo Blade editorial board wrote: “The reform proposal merits a strong YES vote…The political imbalance created by the current mapping process encourages partisan and ideological extremism, promotes gridlock, protects entrenched incumbents unfairly, and diminishes competitive elections and fair representation. This isn’t a partisan issue.”  To see the entire article, click here. Later this week, the Ohio Conference is sending YES on 2 bumper stickers and buttons to our Chapters throughout the state. Your Chapter will likely send out a notice when the materials have arrived and indicate where they can be picked up or how they will be distributed. Please visit the “YES on ISSUE 2 Toolkit” on our website for more information, including printable flyers and talking points. Don’t Miss Out on the CBC Midwest Regional Meeting on Saturday, October 13    The AAUP-Collective Bargaining Congress (CBC) will be holding a midwest regional meeting on Saturday, October 13, 2012 at The Dearborn Inn, Dearborn, Michigan. All members of the AAUP are encouraged to attend.As the meeting is scheduled three weeks prior to the 2012 elections, emphasis will be placed on strategies that members can take to assist candidates who support higher education issues.Mark Brewer, Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party, will be the luncheon speaker. The meeting will also include successful bargaining strategies and recent negotiation gains throughout the Midwest.  The full program can be found by clicking here.To be taken directly to the registration page, click here. Registration is only $25. Cut off date for the special rate for overnight accommodations at The Dearborn Inn has passed, but you may still be able to get a room. Use the following link: The Dearborn Inn reservations.

Sincerely,  Ohio Conference AAUP Communications Committee

Pension Reform Bills Pass General Assembly

On September 12, the Ohio House of Representatives passed all five pension reform bills, including Senate Bill 342, which contained the changes to the State Teachers Retirement System (STRS).  The Ohio Senate concurred on the technical changes made to the bills, which means the legislation has now been sent to the Governor for his signature. We expect that the reforms will go into effect on January 7, 2013. The major reforms, which we have reported to you in previous communications, are reiterated below. STRS Changes in SB 342: *Increase in member contributions effective July 1, 2013  Member contributions would increase by 4%, phased in 1% per year beginning July 1, 2013, through July 1, 2016. Members currently contribute 10%; this would take total member contributions to 14% once fully phased in.   *Change in eligibility for retirement, effective Aug. 1, 2015  Service credit requirements for retirement with an unreduced benefit would increase to 35 years of service by Aug 1, 2023, and a minimum age 60 requirement would be added beginning Aug. 1, 2026. Members may still also retire at age 65 with a minimum of five years of service credit.   The service credit requirement for an actuarially reduced benefit would be phased in beginning Aug. 1, 2015, gradually increasing to 30 years of service by Aug. 1, 2023. Members may also still retire at a minimum age 60 with five years of service, but the benefit would be actuarially reduced beginning Aug. 1, 2015.   *Increase in final average salary (FAS) years effective Aug. 1, 2015  FAS calculation would be based on the five highest years of earnings instead of three.   *Changes to the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), effective in fiscal year 2013   All retirees as of July 1, 2013, would not receive a COLA increase on their next anniversary; effective July 1, 2014, the COLA would be 2%. Members retiring Aug. 1, 2013, or later would also receive a 2% COLA, but it would not begin until 60 months after the date of retirement.   *Change in benefit formula, effective Aug. 1, 2015  The new formula would be 2.2% for all years of service. Members who are eligible to retire on July 1, 2015, would maintain retirement eligibility, and the benefit would be the greater of the benefit calculated under the new benefit formula or the benefit the member could have received had the member retired on July 1, 2015.  We understand that this plan is not particularly palatable, but it was the best option given a set of extremely difficult circumstances, including mandates from Gov. Kasich that a reform plan could not include any additional employer contributions and that there had to be a 30-year solvency period. We must keep in mind that the alternative was potentially losing the defined benefit option altogether. This Year It’s YES on ISSUE 2 So much for recycling! It’s time to take off last year’s bumper stickers, because this November, we are voting YES on ISSUE 2! Issue 2 is the Voters First constitutional amendment to change Ohio’s redistricting system. By voting YES on 2, you will be voting to restore fairness to Ohio’s electoral system.  The current redistricting system is rigged in favor of the party in power and special interests. Politicians get to draw their own district lines and insulate themselves from having to be accountable to the people. This is why we see divisive legislation like SB 5; and unless we fundamentally change the system, we will see other anti-union and anti-education bills be put forth in the legislature. Please visit the “YES on ISSUE 2 Toolkit” on our website for more information, including printable flyers and talking points.   Attend the CBC Midwest Regional Meeting in Dearborn, MI, Saturday, October 13    The AAUP-CBC will be holding a midwest regional meeting on Saturday, October 13, 2012 at The Dearborn Inn, Dearborn, Michigan. All members of the AAUP are encouraged to attend.As the meeting is scheduled three weeks prior to the 2012 elections, emphasis will be placed on strategies that members can take to assist candidates who support higher education issues.Mark Brewer, Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party, will be the luncheon speaker. The meeting will also include successful bargaining strategies and recent negotiation gains throughout the Midwest.  The full program can be found by clicking here.Reservations at The Dearborn Inn should be made immediately to take advantage of the special meeting rate. Cut off date for that rate is September 24, 2012. Please follow the following link: The Dearborn Inn reservations.The AAUP will be sending out a registration notice in the near future.

Sincerely,  Ohio Conference AAUP Communications Committee

We are continuing to see faculty be attacked in various forms across the country.  The latest comes out of Wayne State University in Michigan, where their administration is attempting in earnest to eliminate tenure.  The Michigan Conference AAUP is circulating a petition as part of their fight against this proposed measure.  Please sign the petition and circulate it among your own networks as you see appropriate:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?fromEmail=true&formkey=dFJRR1BYYVRoYmlYQmd3OVBCOXRtRGc6MQ.