NTFC Local 6546 AFT / IFT

Non-Tenure Faculty Coalition, University of Illinois

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Elections Results Spring 2020

The results are in! We are so excited to welcome a record-breaking number of Stewards to the Stewards Council and to welcome Dr. Amy Clay, former LAS steward, to the Executive Council as Communications Chair.

See below for the full list of our new NTFC Leaders!

Executive Council

  • President–Michael Odom
  • Vice President–Amanda Bales
  • Secretary–Shawn Gilmore
  • Treasurer–Stephanie Fortado
  • Grievance Committee Chair–Dennis Dullea
  • Communications Committee Chair–Amy Clay
  • Bargaining Research Committee Chair–Jordan Sellers
  • Chief Steward–Heather McLeer

Stewards Council

  • Liberal Arts and Sciences Stewards
    • Katherine (Kate) Norcross–English
    • Valeria Bonatti–Global Studies
    • Bryan Dunne–Astronomy
    • Anna Nesbitt–Atmospheric Sciences
    • Lisa Travis–Pscyhology
    • Silvia Soto–American Indian Studies
    • Karle Flanagan–Statistics
    • Ellen Fireman–Statistics
    • Daniel (Dan) Steward–Sociology
    • Caroline (Carrie) Bunch–Communication
    • Allison O’Dwyer–School of Integrative Biology
    • Sarka Petrickova–Mathematics
    • Daniel Roche–English
    • Hugh Bishop–Linguistics
    • Charles Fogelman–Global Studies
    • Linda Sims–Linguistics
    • Billy Huff–Communication
    • Jonathan (Patrick) Fadely–English
    • Benjamin Clegg–School of Integrative Biology
    • Andrew Moss–English
    • Jordan Sellers–English
  • Fine & Applied Arts Stewards
    • Rachel Fein-Smolinski–Art & Design
    • Carl Lewis–Architecture
    • Rosemary (Rose) Kaczmarowksi–Theatre
    • Lou Turner–Urban & Regional Planning
    • Ken Salo–Urban & Regional Planning
    • Karin Hodgin Jones–Art & Design
  • Education Stewards
    • Susan (Sue) Talbott–Special Education
    • Kimberly Wolowiec-Fisher–Special Education
  • Engineering Stewards
    • Geoffrey Challen–Computer Science
    • Juan Alvarez–Electrical & Computer Engineering
    • Zuofu Cheng–Electrical & Computer Engineering
  • Information Sciences Stewards
    • David (Dave) Dubin–Information Sciences
  • Business Stewards
    • John Hepp–Accountancy
  • Labor and Employment Relations Stewards
    • Stephanie Fortado–Labor Education Program

Filed Under: News

COVID-19 Community and Professional Resources

*Last Updated on May 5th, 2020.*

There are now over 1,200,000 confirmed cases of Corona Virus, also known as COVID-19, in the United States. On March 20th Governor of Illinois, J.B. Pritzker, issued a shelter-in-place order effective until at least April 7th. This order has since been extended until May 30th. To avoid contracting or spreading the virus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you keep at least six feet of distance from others, stay indoors as much as possible, and frequently disinfect commonly used or shared surfaces such as keyboards, computer mice, toilets, sinks, door handles, light switches, controllers, remotes, chair backs, and staircase railings.

NTFC has compiled some resources, tips, and useful articles to read to help us navigate this transition to online teaching and connect our members to Mutual Aid services in Champaign-Urbana. We’re all in this together, so, if you have concerns or need some tips you’d like to see on our website, please contact us. Please also send us your suggestions for how to improve this resource.

Mutual Aid

Some community members have started a Mutual Aid Resource document listing aid programs in Champaign County. For some of the most recent headlines regarding utilities, legal news, and mutual aid resources, you can also check out this resource guide post from the Public i.

In addition, we encourage our members to check out the American Federation of Teachers’ new COVID-19 resource, Solidarity Academy. They’re hosting free webinars every Friday on topics like applying for unemployment insurance and the effects of the pandemic on adjunct faculty.

Watch the AFT’s latest webinar about unemployment insurance

Or, read this summary of the webinar provided by the union at Elgin Community College.

A screenshot from the AFT’s latest webinar all about Unemployment Insurance.

What Does Our Contract Say About Online Teaching?

While our contract does not have language directly related to online teaching, the same expectations of departments to clearly set and define duties and expectations of work apply. Our contract stipulates that all departments must, for example, be able to tell you what percentage of your job your teaching, research, or service duties are.

In addition, we recognize that many of you might face delays or altered course schedules due to the transition to online teaching. We remind you that, per our contract, you are not required do perform any duties outside your dates of service except for: grade reporting, grade disputes, and unit orientation, training, or meetings, all of which can be done electronically. Your department must notify you if they expect you to perform other duties after the end of the semester. Just because you’ve faced delays in your class schedule doesn’t mean the semester end date has been pushed back! Don’t overwork yourselves–stick to your end date and alter your course plan accordingly.

Online Teaching Tools

Each class is different, and there’s no one-size-fits all approach. There’s plenty of software out there that you’ll want to experiment with to see what’s best for you. A few programs to check out are below, with some that might require subscriptions for full functionality.

  • Zoom–This is a great tool for video conferencing with your students. You can share your screen and video of yourself at the same time, and you have the option to mute participants, upload files to the chat, and record the entire session so that others can view it at a later time. Everyone with a valid NetID should have Zoom access. You can check out this quick guide to get setup with Zoom.
  • Slack–You can use this to organize your class online and easily see information about different threads or “channels”. It’s all free, and includes add-ons for taking polls, integration with Google Calendar, and other features.
  • Discord–Similar to Slack, Discord offers a platform to quickly and easily sort information into different channels. It also includes video and screen sharing support for conferencing with students.
  • When2Meet–This tool lets you quickly and easily schedule meetings. It’s especially useful for trying to schedule large groups of people, as the best times to meet are instantly visualized and updated each time a new person fills out the poll.
  • Kahoot–This is best for creating short quizzes or games for students to play to help them learn information, and many language classes use it to teach vocabulary. Kahoot also comes with a very meme-able soundtrack, free of charge.

Guides, News, and Resources for Online Teaching

  • Guide to Local Internet Service Providers (ISPs)
  • Low Cost and Free Internet Options in CU
  • University of Illinois General COVID-19 News and Updates Page
  • University of Illinois Recommended Approaches to Online Teaching
  • ATLAS Online Teaching Guide
  • The Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning has a resource page for online class development, and you can also schedule individual consultations with them about how to design/improve your online classes.
  • University of Michigan’s “Keep Teaching” Guide to Remote Instruction
  • Chronicle of Higher Education, “How to Be a Better Online Teacher”
  • Chronicle of Higher Education, “Preparing for Emergency Online Teaching”

What Are Other Schools Doing?

  • Many schools are moving to all pass/fail courses, or extending deadlines by which classes can move to this category. Schools like Harvard University, Middlebury College, Vanderbilt University, Ohio State University, and many others.
  • Most schools have suspended all international travel, closed campus, moved to remote teaching, and closed libraries and other public buildings.
  • Many schools are still deliberating whether or not to hold in-person classes in the fall.
  • Most other NTT’s and NTT unions are negotiating with their school administrations to reach Memorandums of Understanding, or MOU’s. NTFC is currently negotiating such an MOU right now, and will be releasing an update shortly on what is being covered.


Filed Under: COVID-19 Resources

NTFC is Seeking a Part-Time Operations Coordinator

Apply by by April 27th by submitting your cover letter and CV through to ntfc6546@gmail.com with the subject line “Operations Coordinator.”

Due to Covid-19 public health and safety concerns, we will be practicing social distancing and conduct this job search remotely through phone and/or video-conferencing. Job duties may also begin as working from home, depending on ongoing social distancing guidelines.

About NTFC

The Non-Tenure Faculty Coalition brings together non-tenure track faculty members at the UIUC for purposes of collective bargaining. First organized as part of the Campus Faculty Association in Spring of 2014, we were recognized as Local #6546 AFT/IFT/AAUP by the Illinois Educational Labor Board in July 2014. Since the summer of 2015 we have been known as the Non-Tenure Faculty Coalition (NTFC), Local #6546. Our local union is affiliated with the Illinois Federation of Teachers, the American Federation of Teachers and the American Association of University Professors. For more information, you can explore our website.

Job Description

The Operations Coordinator is a part-time employee that runs the union’s office and supports the work of the Stewards and Executive Councils.

Duties and responsibilities include:

manages membership database and generates reports from the data, answers member inquiries and basic communications for NTFC, handles sensitive information regarding members experiences with the university and often performs intake for grievances, provides strategy and logistical support in organizing, produces support materials for organizing and communications in both print and digital documents, supports the treasurer with dues, reimbursements, and other financial intakes, updates and maintains website and social media accounts, generates website and social media content, plans and coordinates social events and meetings often coordinating with other unions, provides support during training, maintains the office and orders supplies

Requirements:

-Bachelor’s degree

-Demonstrated ability to work with minimal supervision

-Knowledge and support of labor issues

Desired Skills & Experiences:

-3 years previous work experience in similar position

-Strong problem solving skills

-Ability to work independently

-Ability to coordinate and follow-up on the work of volunteers

-A desire and ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic, and flexible work environment

-Ability to manage multiple long-term projects and immediate tasks concurrently

-Basic graphic design abilities

-Proficiency in WordPress, Microsoft Suite, Google products, Canva, Database Management

Hours and Compensation

-Between 15-20 hours a week, occasionally requires up to 25

-Remote work and telecommuting options available

-Starts at $18 an hour, eligible for raise after 3 months

Filed Under: News

Campus Labor Coalition Open Letter Calling for Action in Response to COVID-19

In the midst of the COVID-19 global pandemic, which has resulted in most of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign campus shutting down, some serious labor and community health concerns have arisen. The Campus Labor Coalition, which is comprised of representatives of the different labor unions on campus, has released the open letter below calling on the University Administration to address these concerns.

To add your name or your organization’s name to this letter, fill out this Google Form.

————————————————————

Dear Chancellor Robert Jones, Provost Andreas Cangellaris, and University of Illinois Board of Trustees,

 The Campus Labor Coalition respects and applauds many of the recent decisions made by the University Administration to keep the community safe and ensure quality education to students in the midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

However, many of these decisions have resulted in uncertain, unfair, and unsafe working conditions for university employees. With the shared aim of the economic, physical, and mental well-being of university employees in mind, we are asking that the University Administration commit to the following calls for action. These demands are in line with similar calls for action at Harvard University, Washington University, Indiana University, and Purdue University. 

General

  • Guarantee nondiscrimination in all policies to be enacted at the University so that no individuals or groups in our community are targeted (e.g. racial profiling), by forms of harmful discrimination that often come with public health emergencies.
  • Immediately comply with the now-active Families First COVID-19 Response Act. Doing so will provide immediate economic and risk relief to university employees.

Paid Sick Leave

  • Immediately grant paid sick leave to all university employees in accordance with the stipulations of the Families First COVID-19 Response Act. This leave should not count against any accrued unpaid time-off or paid time-off benefits. 
  • Ensure that employees’ requests for time off are considered with utmost seriousness and entail no form of reprisal or compromise their possibilities for employment with the University in the future.

Working Conditions

  • Provide options for reduced workloads for those employees now facing increased child and family care needs, in accordance with the stipulations of the Families First COVID-19 Response Act.
  • Immediately provide Hazard Pay–either in the form of pay raises or weekly sums–to those still working on campus. 
  • Provide adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for all employees still working on campus.
  • Provide adequate equipment and resources to complete work under the work conditions mandated by the University and the State in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including: access to computers, software, high-speed internet connections, appropriate resources online, and other materials essential to workers’ job functions
  • Communicate clearly and in a timely manner (a minimum of thirty days’ notice) any intent to layoff university employees. 

Housing

  • Provide free summer housing options, i.e. at Orchard Downs, for international and other graduate employees who cannot return home for the foreseeable future and may not have legal employment options over the summer break.
  • Provide free housing for anyone displaced from housing because of reductions or loss in employment with the University, for the duration of the pandemic.

Healthcare

  • Provide free testing for coronavirus to all University employees regardless of insurance status.
  • Waive fees for healthcare, dental care, and vision care to all employees through the summer period, including access to quality medical care and specialized/medical referrals for all regardless of the ability to pay. Ensure healthcare, dental care, and vision care for all employees. 
  • Revoke immediately the recent decision to increase the costs of healthcare premiums for students in the 2020-2021 Academic Year.

Immigration Status

  • Ensure that international employees are able to maintain their visa status as courses transition online and hourly work is reduced, and provide legal support for employees who face visa status changes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sincerely,

The Campus Labor Coalition

Filed Under: News

NTFC Elections

Just as it is important for us to #knowyourcontract, it is also important for us to know our constitution! And our constitution tells us that NTFC elections are just around the corner.

In April, we will elect a new Executive Council and Stewards Council, the two bodies that govern our union. More details about each election are below. To run in either election, please email ntfc6546@gmail.com indicating which position you’d like to run for.

Elections will run from April 19-23th, and the nominations for all positions will close on April 12th. You may self-nominate for any position!

Executive Council Elections

The members of the Executive Council are the officers of our union. They handle our day-to-day management, including working with our union affiliates like IFT or AAUP, managing our staff person, overseeing our finances, maintaining union records, communicating important information with our members, and more! We have a President, Vice President, Stewards Council Chair, Communications Chair, Bargaining Research Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, and Grievance Chair. The EC meets once per month, some regular duties outside of these meetings are required. If you’re interested in a particular position, feel free to contact our officers and ask about their experiences!

Stewards Council Elections

Becoming a steward is one of the easiest ways to get more involved in your union and put an interest in activism into practice. As the first point of contact between membership at large and union leadership, stewards play a vital role in connecting with members across campus and ensuring our union represents the interests of all non-tenure faculty at UIUC.


As we focus on our teaching, research, and service, it can be easy to get immersed in the life of our own departments. As a member of the Stewards Council, I’ve had the opportunity to not only reach out to non-tenure faculty across campus and gain a better understanding of working conditions outside of my own department, but also to build community with fellow stewards from a wide range of departments. This sense of non-tenure faculty as a campus-wide community is perhaps the most valuable thing I’ve gained from my time on the Stewards Council.

Heather McLeer, Chief Steward

Our Stewards Council is the organizing body of our union. Meeting monthly like our Executive Council, they’re charged primarily with recruiting new members and assisting bargaining unit members in resolving their workplace issues. Each Steward has a turf, or a few departments on campus that they are the first point of contact for. Apart from organizing members, our Stewards also are the main legislative body of our union. They propose changes to the constitution, by-laws, and other policy changes at our general membership meetings. The Stewards Council is a great place to start for those who are interested in getting more involved with NTFC!

Contact our Chief Steward, Heather McLeer, if you’d like more information about Stewardship.

Filed Under: Elections

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