Stewards Council: 11/12/2006

Attendance: Tim Duby (Mathematic) Jason Olson (English) Keith Russo (English) Michelle Erwin (Sociology) Breden Weaver (Anthropology) Jessica Lynam (Spanish) Elise Boneau (History) Josh Muia (Chemistry) Marcie Noble (Spanish) Meghan Cook (Anthropology) David Zwart (History) Jason Trowbridge (Mathematics), Jamie McCandless (Enfranchised Non TAs), Chris Pomeroy.

B-Team: Steward Trowbridge gave a report on both the bargaining team and the Wiki. He noted that stewards were still not working with the wiki. “taubargain.pbwiki.com”, He demonstrated how to use the wiki, asked that you please use your name to keep track of who is making the changes as a security precaution. He asked that Stewards please fill out their department information.

The first bargaining date with administration is this Tuesday, 9-11am, and will establish ground rules for the process. The meeting will take place in Bernhard Center, Brown and Gold Room. The next Tuesday, Tuesday after that are also scheduled for bargaining dates.

The next B-Team will be this Wednesday at 7pm. The B-team finished work on the grievance language article, details, locks the union into a grievance committee with the administration to continue dialogue with the same people.

Steward Weaver suggested the method of approval of actual bargaining is not made by the B-Team at the table before the council can approve it. Chris Pomeroy added his support to the idea.

This concluded the Bargaining team report.

President Zwart issued papers containing grad student benefits and salary per the Grad College’s website. The projected raise for TA’s next year at 3%. Zwart handed out other minutes from the faculty Senate pertinent to student pay and benefits. Long and short: faculty is on our side.

Organizing: Steward Cook-to Philosophy, made contact with last known contact, tried to set up more meetings, Women Studies, could not find people, but did get names of current student in comp, phil, women’s studies.

Steward Noble-passed comps

Steward Muia-talked with Geroge Akom, someone was supposed to come,

Steward Boneau-Poli sci, contact will get list of contacts, will also try to get a steward elected by Tuesday.

Steward Madam Treasurer Lynam-Found out about Geography, contact who does not want to be a steward but might be in Spring, good contact.

Steward Duby-w/Jason to physics, spoke w/ Scott Marly.

Steward Weaver-More details from philosophy and comp. religion, got a list of students

Steward Erwin- Was in Canada.

Steward Russo- He went with Chris to Engineering, signed up four new members in comp science, very interested in helping us, provided some information, Also went to paper science, gained a contact (Erica) but no steward. David met another paper science, Ali,

Steward Olson.-talked to another English student, who is not here but also talked to Ilse S. pres of English.

Vice-President Steward Trowbridge – w/ Tim and Chris, talked to Scott M. got a date with him. Wanted to convince him to spend the hour on the council was worth it.

Chris P.

Good and bad of organizing this week.

Steward Trowbridge summarized reference points for conversations, 1) agitate for salary 2) health care 3) worth of degrees 4) this contract will effect you weather or not you like it.

Agenda:

Continue working on existing contacts

Steward Russo-proposed extended meeting ten minutes to discuss surveys, distributed by and explained by Steward Trowbridge. The motion passed.

The council established the goals for the week as to return with ten good survey conversations, eve though they are not really about the info, which we do want, but more importantly we want to get people interested. In summary: 1) please work with the wiki 2) please continue the excellent work of organization, working on contacts to get them here next week 3) please perform ten surveys

President Zwart- Provided some updates on the ad hoc publications committee, including what might be included in the newsletter, such as publication of steward information, constitution corner, calendar.

There was some discussion occurred about potential problems with distribution and department resistance to distribution. Steward Cook and Steward Russo volunteered to assist with distribution.

President Zwart wants to do touchy feely meetings with different aspects of grad life, especially international students, who we are very concern about because the system is keeping them down. Singles? Married but Looking?

Steward Trowbridge passed around a list for people to attend the B-Team committee. He suggested that if you attend you try to bring a laptop, ibook or other electrographic tool.

Motion to table discussion regarding bargaining team. Motion passed

The Meeting ended at 4:15.