NEIUPI

We will have membership meetings next week to present the slate of candidates for the upcoming UPI chapter and local elections. The meetings are scheduled as follows:

Wednesday, Feb 15, 2 – 3:15 pm in LWH 1001
Thursday, Feb 16 , 3 – 4:15 pm in LWH 1001

Please attend one of the meetings to learn who has stepped forward to take on the responsibilities of leadership. You may nominate additional candidates at the meetings. Our nominating process will close by 4:30 pm on Feb. 16. Our slate of candidates is due to the local on Friday, Feb. 17.

In preparation for the upcoming union elections this spring, the NEIU-UPI Political Education Committee is sponsoring a discussion session on the topic, “Surviving the Attack on Public Sector Unions.” The session will be held on 31 January in LWH 2071 from 3:00-4:00 pm.

The invited speakers are John Wilson, editor of Illinois Academe and member of the Illinois AAUP’s Committee on Academic Freedom and Tenure, and Dennis Kosuth, a Nurse at Cook County Hospital and member of the National Nurses Organizing Committee. John Wilson has been a highly visible and vocal supporter of faculty rights on Illinois university campuses, and Dennis Kosuth has been active in the National Nurses Organizing Committee, the union newly chosen to represent Illinois nurses. Wilson and Kosuth will speak to us about the challenges facing academic unions in particular and public sector unions in general, and about the various strategies and tactics by which union leaders and members have risen to these challenges. Each of the speakers will give a short presentation, as prelude to a general discussion of the topic.

The NEIU-UPI Political Education Committee is sponsoring this event to help educate the union electorate about the issues we face in the immediate future, and in the hope that we can learn from the experience of our brothers and sisters in other unions.

Membership meetings are scheduled this week as follows:

Wednesday, January 25 at 2 – 3:15 pm in Golden Eagles (SU 103)
Thursday, January 26 at 3 – 4:15 pm in LWH 1001

Agenda includes: Discussion of changes in chapter bylaws and the upcoming Local and Chapter elections.

If you cannot attend one of the meetings but would like to vote on the proposed changes of the bylaws, you can do so by clicking on the link below and casting your vote. I’ve attached the chapter bylaws so that you can review the proposed changes. There is a copy of the sample ballot below that contains a brief summary of the changes to the chapter bylaws and the vote. As always, please email or call me (x5836) if you have any questions about the proposed changes. Follow the link to the on line ballot:

VOTE on Proposed Changes to By laws

On line voting begins today and will be available until January 31 at noon (CST)

SAMPLE BALLOT

All members received via NEIU/UPI listserv the proposed amendments to the chapter bylaws in which additions appear in red and all deletions are struck through. Please find below a brief summary of these changes.

Change 1: Increased number of elected representatives from the membership to serve on chapter executive committee from eight constituency representatives to thirteen with the addition of five At-Large representatives.

Current constituency representatives: Three Teaching Professionals (one from each college); One Resource Professional; Two Instructors (CAS and COE) and Two Academic Support Professionals (Main campus and CTC/CCICS/El Centro)

New positions (5) added to executive committee: Five At-Large Representatives: Two Teaching or Resource Professionals; Two Instructors and One Academic Support Professional or Academic Resource Professional

Change 2: Added administrative responsibilities for the UPI sick leave bank to the job descriptions of the Chapter Vice President, Treasurer and one executive board committee member.

Other changes: Language and calendar dates clarified or made current
THE VOTE
I accept the proposed changes to NEIU/UPI Chapter Bylaws
YES or NO

Thank you for your participation.

In preparation for the upcoming union elections this spring, the NEIU-UPI Political Education Committee is sponsoring a discussion session on the topic, “Surviving the Attack on Public Sector Unions.” The session will be held on 31 January in LWH 2071 from 3:00-4:00 pm.

The invited speakers are John Wilson, editor of Illinois Academe and member of the Illinois AAUP’s Committee on Academic Freedom and Tenure, and Dennis Kosuth, a Nurse at Cook County Hospital and member of the National Nurses Organizing Committee. John Wilson has been a highly visible and vocal supporter of faculty rights on Illinois university campuses, and Dennis Kosuth has been active in the National Nurses Organizing Committee, the union newly chosen to represent Illinois nurses. Wilson and Kosuth will speak to us about the challenges facing academic unions in particular,and public sector unions in general, and about the various strategies and tactics by which union leaders and members have risen to these challenges. Each of the speakers will give a short presentation, as prelude to a general discussion of the topic.

The NEIU-UPI Political Education Committee is sponsoring this event to help educate the union electorate about the issues we face in the immediate future, and in the hope that we can learn from the experience of our brothers and sisters in other unions. Hope to see you there.

The election for NEIU chapter officers and representatives is scheduled for April 2012. The UPI Local 4100 officer candidates will be on the April ballot as well. In the next month our NEIU nominating committee will be out and about gathering candidates for both the local and chapter elections.

During the fall, our chapter executive committee suggested an increase in the number of representatives serving on the executive committee so that more members take an active role in determining the future of our chapter. An increase in elected representatives and the creation of our sick leave bank must be reflected in our bylaws. A draft of the revised bylaws is attached for your review. The membership must have an opportunity to discuss the revision before voting on the draft.

Membership meetings are scheduled for the end of January to give us an opportunity to discuss the proposed revision to the bylaws as well as potential candidates for the upcoming chapter and local elections. The meetings are scheduled as follows:

Wednesday, Jan 25 from 2 – 3:15 pm in Golden Eagles
Thursday, Jan 26 from 3 – 4:15 pm in LWH 1001