Union caucuses are like political parties within a union. The New Caucus is such a group and has nominated candidates for leadership on local campuses as well as in CUNY-wide elections. The current Professional Staff Congress principal officers – first elected in 2000 and re-elected three times since – are members of the New Caucus, which has a unifying, progressive vision for the union and CUNY. Even in the face of past and current economic crises, New Caucus leadership has won significant victories for HEOs and all members, built strategic alliances, and increased and mobilized membership.

Iris DeLutro (Graduate Center), Chair - A Senior Counselor and Coordinator of the LEAP to Teacher Programs of the Murphy Institute, Iris has been Vice President of the Cross Campus Units since 2003. She serves on the Board of Directors of New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) and is a member of the PSC Political Action and HEO Organizing Committees and is on the Executive Council and Negotiating Team.

Paul Washington (Medgar Evers), Vice Chair - A long-time community activist who has participated in the movement for social justice for over 25 years, Paul is presently director of Reentry and Outreach for the Male Development and Empowerment Center/ Black Male Initiative at Medgar Evers College. He is active in the PSC and a member of the Legislative Committee.

Janet Winter (John Jay College), Secretary - has worked at John Jay for 30 years, currently in the Department of Public Safety. As a John Jay graduate (as well as holding a Master’s in NYU’s Public Administration Program), Janet is currently a HEO Delegate. As a campus leader, she enjoys sharing information about PSC issues and benefits and offering assistance to her fellow HEOs.

KEY FEATURES OF PSC-CUNY CONTRACTS NEGOTIATED BY CURRENT NEW CAUCUS LEADERSHIP OF THE PSC

• No concessions on salary steps, job security and performance pay

• Salary increases of 10.5% for all titles by October 2009

• Additional increases on top step, so that top steps of full-time titles increase by 13.8%

•  Paid parental leave

• Sick leave bank and 3 days leave for care of an ill family member

• Assistants to HEO eligible for pay differential for Master’s or PHD

• Through a grievance and legal action, compensatory time after 35 hours and overtime pay after 40 hours for Assistants to HEOs and some HEO Assistants. Compensatory time for all other HEOs.

• Salary increases averaging 9.5%

• 20% increase in CUNY’s annual contributions to the Welfare Fund

• Increases in Professional Development Grants (raised to $3,000/year)

• Grievance protections; job security for HEOs (preserved 13.3b)

• Real wage increases for all titles

• Equity adjustments at the bottom and the top

• Establish Professional Development Fund ($2,000/year)

• HEO Labor-Management Committees concerning workload and reclassifications

For details see the contract: http://www.psc-cuny.org/contract.htm. Or the HEO Handbook: http://www.psc-cuny.org/heo.htm#HEO_HANDBOOK.