Hernesto Galdamez’s article in The Massapequa Herald Post is presented below. In the article, Jerry Kornbluth ignores the Taylor Law and Triborough Amendment that requires the college to abide by the expired contract during negotiation. And, our contract hasn’t even expired yet; its last year, its third year, expires August 31, 2025. Our faculty have rightly earned promotions and sabbaticals through their labor; the third year of the current contract assures these to those recommended by committees. We thank everyone who turned out to support our colleagues on April 8 even though the Board of Trustees had, once again, cancelled their meeting for that evening. While retyped below, the original article appears here.
Faculty tensions at Nassau Community College escalated last week after Chief Administrative Officer Maria Conzatti announced that she would not submit faculty names for tenure, promotion or sabbatical to the college’s board of trustees until a new contract agreement is reached — despite the fact that the current contract is in effect until Aug. 31.
The announcement, made at the April 3 general faculty meeting, drew sharp criticism from the Nassau Community College Federation of Teachers. Union leaders claim the decision circumvents provisions of the existing collective bargaining agreement, particularly those related to faculty advancement during the final year of a signed contract.
“Our faculty was absolutely stunned to learn that NCC has unilaterally chosent to deny these standard promotions, sabbaticals and tenure positions to our hardworking professors,” David Stern, the acting NCCFT president, said. “This is truly unprecedented, and demonstrates why NCC and the board of trustees are losing confidence and enrollment while slashing programs and mismanaging our finances.”
Jessica Harris, attorney for the union, said that the administration is legally obligated to follow the recommendations of committees, composed of faculty and an administrator that approve faculty members’ advancement and sabbaticals.
“NCC administrators have no legal basis to refuse to consider the committees’ recommendations for promotions and sabbaticals,” Harris said. “If the administration persists in its refusal to inform the board of trustees of the committees’ recommendations, in flagrant disregard of the CBA, we will explore all legal options.”
Speaking on behalf of the administration, Jerry Kornbluth, vice president of the Office of Community and Governmental Relations, pushed back against the union’s claims. He said the accusation that the administration is violating the collective bargaining agreement is a “false narrative,” emphasizing that the college is operating under the 2021-2025 contract.
According to Kornbluth, union representatives have not responded to invitations to begin discussions of hte 2025-2026 contract. He also noted that faculty members must meet “certain standards,” depending on the promotion they are seeking with evaluations conducted by the committees. Once approved, nominations are forwarded to the president.
“Until there is a conversation about the contract for 2025-2026, those promotions, sabbaticals, and tenure don’t take effect until the fall of 2025 — under the new contract,” Kornbluth said. “The contract acts (sic) on Aug. 31; a new one, whether there is a negotiated one or not, kicks in on Sept. 1.”
Many faculty members have already completed the formal review process and received committee approval. The union accuses the administration of stalling contractual obligations and blocking professional advancement at a time when many professors face increased financial strain due to the rising cost of living.
Kornbluth said that when no formal contract is in place, the college operates under a memorandum of agreement signed by both the administration and the union. That agreement allows the president to move faculty nominations forward for board approval.
Stern said that 15 faculty members had been recommended by their respective committees. “There has been virtually no dialogue or willingness by Ms. Conzatti or her administration,” he said.
The faculty organized a gathering on April 8 in the CCB building. Organizers said the event aimed to draw public attention to the ongoing contract and personnel disputes.
“In all my years that I’ve been at the college — which is 50 — there has never been a time that somebody who is nominated for promotion, sabbatical or tenure did not get it,” Kornbluth said. “This is all about trying to make the president, the administration look bad.
One Response
This is the most egregious action yet taken by the College administration. I certainly hope that the Union is utilizing the excellent legal assistance that NYSUT provides. The contract is still current and in effect. The College’s actions are clearly contractual violations and should go to PERB. Any assistance that the Union needs – just ask, and I’ll be there!