CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEE PERSONNEL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

November 17, 2005 - In conversation with Kevin McRae, Director of Labor Relations, Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education (during the Board of Regents' meeting at Bozeman) Sara France asked about the status of the MUS LMC. Scheduling problems continue to hamper the re-formation of the Committee, but Federal Mediation, OCHE and MPEA remain eager to set training dates.

October 10, 2005 - Sara France reports hearing from the Commissioner's Office, that a schedule for training by the Federal Medition and Conciliation Service is in the process of being worked out.

September 29, 2005 - Sara France reports that efforts to reorganize the MUS LMC are still underway but has no specific news at this time.

August 24, 2005 - Sara France reports that MPEA and the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education are currently collaborating over the reorganization of MUS LMC.

March 21, 2005 - Sara France reports:
I participated in a lengthy conference call with Janet Simon, Quint Nyman and Ted Handel (Federal expert on LMCs) today. Here's my understanding, in a nutshell. Our conversations were focused at the MUS level:

1. MPEA and MUS have a contractual agreement to provide an MUS LMC, comprising trained (or scheduled to be trained)members, within 90 days of the start (July 1) of the new contract. There are already two issues for the first agenda!!
2. Quint, Kathy Crego, Janet and I will work on the “charge” of the committee.
3. The newly-trained and charged LMC members must be committed to the work. They must establish the committee's sphere of influence (what it can/can't do) and revise the existing charter to confirm its membership, each member's role, and to include how the committee's work will be executed.
4. I questioned the "staff senate" role (since we serve non-union staff and those affiliated to unions/bargaining units not currently participating). In discussion of this point, I understand that other unions/B.A.s have not been excluded and are welcome to join the LMC. LMC issues are typically not bargaining matters however there is occasionally cross over and senates represent wide constituency and are therefore valuable members of LMC; and that members with concerns about any aspect of LMC's work may voice those concerns, on behalf of their constituent groups, the concern will be discussed, and a compromise sought. Ted confirmed that deciding the appropriate makeup of the membership and members' roles is the joint responsibility of all the "players" in LMC (once trained).

So, the plan is:

1. MPEA hopes to have members' confirmation of ratification/non-ratification very soon. If ratified by membership, the matter passes to the Regents in May.
2. Janet, Quint, Ted and I will regroup in mid-May to plan training (bearing in mind the 90 day deadline starting 7/1 [see above] and the fact that Ted needs about 2 months' notice to train). The where/when/how of training has yet to be discussed.

March 17, 2005 - Sara France, labor co-chair, reported to the Board of Regents:
Representatives from each senate/association/CEPAC had previously agreed on collaborative presentations regarding classified terminations data, Performance Development and other MAP program updates, and general activites from each campus. Unforunately, on March 17, UM-Missoula, Montana Tech, nor MSU-Billings were able to attend. Terminations data collection delays had been experienced on some campuses and, due to ongoing collective bargaining, presentation of data, and discussion of various aspects of the MAP Program, were curtailed.

March 3, 2005 - Sara France reports on a conference call (about 30 minutes' duration) she had with representatives of MUS LMC. "Sight of the purpose of the LMC has been lost. Support for LMC's revitalization has been voiced from various quarters. Everyone agreed that appropriate membership training, and a re-examination of the committee and its charge are required. This is being pursued ".

CEPAC certainly needs to better understand its role as co-chair and be sure that it's able to fulfill it, so I'm happy with the outcome of the call as, I'm sure, are J, K and Q.

January 11, 2005 - Sara France reported that the January meeting has been postponed, most likely until after the legislative, and bargaining sessions.

Novmeber 4, 2004 Sara France submitted the following unofficial report of the meeting:
The By-Laws were amended to extend membership of the committee to a representative of CEPAC/Staff Senates, rather than limiting membership to the chair of CEPAC/Staff Senates. The responsibility of Committee Chair is held equally by one management representative and one labor representative. Janet Simon (MSU-Billings) continues as the management co-chair and I (for CEPAC, MSU-Bozeman) was elected labor co-chair.

A discussion of the dependent fee waiver pilot program was held and usage numbers presented. However, reporting methods differed, and Kathy Crego will request standardized information, by email.

CEPAC presented issues resulting from its survey of classified staff in September 2003 (prior to the instigation of the dependent fee waiver pilot). Staff had requested consideration of three amendments to the Board of Regents existing fee waiver policy (not to be confused with the dependent fee waiver pilot):

• Eligibility extended to 0.5 FTE employees for 3 credits (rather than 6)
• Extended studies/continuing education courses to be covered by the policy
• Transfer of the BoR existing fee waiver policy eligibility to dependents.

The committee split into two groups to discuss (1) supervisor training, and (2) exit interview surveys. Each group was led by a MUS-LMC co-chair. The two groups came back together at the end of the meeting and gave a summary of their work. Further development of these topics will be conducted by email, and again at the next MUS-LMC meeting.

MUS-LMC will meet again January 25, 2005 in Helena.