From: MSU Network Administrators Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Kwiatkowski, Nicholas
Sent: Wednesday, October 08, 2008 7:54 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [MSUNAG] APA raise

Ehren et. all,

Yesterday evening I attended one of the informational sessions that the APA hosted in Com Arts regarding the increase.  There were something like 5 or 6 of us there.  While we didn't really get any straight answers as to the increase, but we did get the following (this quote is as close as I was able to short hand it down)

"The MEA changed our rate structure a few years back, and we've been holding off increasing the rate for our membership since then.  We've been using our bank accounts to compensate for the massive increase that our group has sustained.  This increase is to compensate for this increase, because we are unable to continue subsidizing this cost through our bank account for much longer.  It was best to do it during a year where we have a large raise." 

There was a rep from the MEA that was present, and when asked as to where the money went, he referred us to the calendar booklet that came with our last union packet (a few months ago, I think).

It also became apparent that 100% of our dues go to the MEA/NEA, which then provides services back to us.  We do not keep any money in our local.  Any money that does end up in our accounts is due to accounting errors, or delayed charges.  This one really caught me by surprise as I would have thought we would have set our selves up to set aside some money, just in case.

When I compare how our union is doing to others in my department, the 999, 1585, APSA, CT, it just seems to me that the other unions are getting the exact same benefits that we are, but our costs are much higher.  I don't believe (some please correct me on this one, as I didn't do the research), that any of the other groups are affiliated with the MEA/NEA.  The closest group, cost wise that I'm aware of is the 999, but at the end of each year their union returns the un-used portion of their general fund to their members as cash (sometimes in the hundreds of dollars). 

Now I will end this message by saying I've been a member of the MEA/NEA in good standing for just about 10 years (due to some p/t work I did with a MERIT affiliate in the past).  They have provided me some benefits, including a subsidized rate on my home insurance.  There ARE benefits to the group, but they are very obscure and hard to find.  I feel that our union reps need to quickly find these benefits and let us know what they are, and how to take advantage of them (other than the MEA housing the APA offices -- I don't see that as a huge benefit), or they may be faced with a very troubled base of memebrs. 

I hope Maurice gets a higher attendance for his brown-bag lunch meeting today.  Our leadership needs to hear our issues, or they may think there are none.  If we keep these discussions to lists he is not on, we can't expect him to know what is on our mind.  Those that are deeply troubled by the increase should show up.

-Nick Kwiatkowski

 MSU Telecom Systems