On Thu, 26 Apr 2001, Jonathan Looney wrote:

> At 11:06 AM 4/26/01 -0400, Leland-Robinson <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> >Some reapportioning of the existing pie is necessary, but the real answer
> >is a larger pie for all of us -- both faculty and staff.  If we sit back
> >and do nothing, nothing will happen.  In order to apply EFFECTIVE pressure,
> >we all need to pull together.  We need to organize.  We need to UNIONIZE.
> >
> >Leland Robinson
> >Professor of Sociology
> >
> I agree with Dr. Robinson's comments completely. However, until you (I say
> you instead of we since I don't live in Tennessee) elect some state
> legislators that have the courage to make some tough financial decisions,
> the pie will NOT grow larger. The Tennessee legislators lack of "courage"
> to address this issue over the years is a disgrace.
>
> I saw a good cartoon in the paper last week. It showed a lady buying an
> item, and the cashier was saying something like, "With the 50% sales tax,
> your total comes to $3.00". The lady's response was, "Well at least we
> don't have to pay an income tax!".
>
>
> Jonathan Looney
> Director - Student Financial Aid
> University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
>

Here's hoping this discussion may get somewhere this time.  Some years
back, before AAUP(the American Association of University Professors)
effectively disappeared from the UTC campus, there was suggestion of a
"Faculty Forum" on campus, where representatives of AFT, AAUP, NEA
(National Education Association), TASE (Tennessee Association of State
Employees) might coparticipate.  At that time there was talk of a national
merger of AAUP and NEA (which evidently never came about).  Obviously,
different individuals have different inclinations toward one or another of
these groups.  I do understand that on some campuses, the local "union'
has worked out a system of maintaining links to more than one at the same
time.

One advantage of AAUP or TASE in the maintenance of an office in
Nashville.  Perhaps TEA does too.  Does AFT, Lee?  I can speak only for
AAUP, whose representation over the years has been effective on a number
of lesser issues, particularly where legislators are uninformed on
academic traditions of governance etc.  The issue of finance is more
difficult.  Maybe it there were more local unity and a willingness to
insist on cooperation (rather than letting organizational separationism
run its course)? - - -
                Carter Pate