UPM newsletter

In my statistics classes it always amazes students when I tell them that their chances of winning the California Lottery are the same whether or not they buy a ticket. "How can that be?" they wonder. "If you don't buy a ticket you have no chance of winning!" Yes, I always reply, and that is the chance you have if you do buy a ticket. "But someone usually wins", they retort. Indeed they do, I respond, it just won't be you. The logic behind this is that buying a ticket gives you a chance that is so minuscule (a decimal point followed by a lot of zeros and eventually a one) that for all intents and purposes it is zero. Statistics and probability are like that, rare and unusual occurrences are not expected to happen unless some outside influence has taken place.

The United Professors of Marin, for many years where candidate endorsements were concerned, followed probabilistic expectations quite consistently. The candidates we endorsed never won. This year the election outcome was dramatically different. Not one, but both UPM-endorsed candidates were victorious in the Board of Trustees' election, and they won dramatically, taking the top two positions and getting the most votes overall. Some might say UPM finally won its lottery; I would say there was outside influence. That outside influence took place in the form of the UPM Political Action Committee (UPMPAC).

UPMPAC collected over $1000.00 in direct contributions from you, our members.. A significant number of people also signed up for direct contributions on a monthly basis through payroll deductions (more on that in a moment). Given the very brief time between the creation of the committee and the election, spending ability was very focused and limited. Through the expert advice of the California Federation of Teachers political consultant and with the hard work of the UPMPAC's members Arthur Lutz and Tom Menendez, targeted mailings were sent to selected residents of Marin County. In a county where only 25-35,000 people vote, an extra thousand votes can make a big difference.

The UPMPAC is now gearing up for the race in the 6th Assembly District (Marin-Sonoma) in the spring. This race is wide open with no incumbent running. Watch this publication for information about endorsement proposals.. Future voter concerns may also include fund raising schemes (e.g., bonds, taxes) for the college and UPMPAC will be involved in those matters as well.

Now, about those payroll deductions. Two dollars a month is not that much out of your paycheck. But multiply that by 12 months (now we are up to $24) and multiply that by just a measly 50 people out of our 250+ members and now you are talking real money ($1200 per year) and real influence. Of course if you increase any of the contribution numbers (like up to five or $10 per month), the end result increases as well. Payroll contributions are not a new concept. Many of you already use them for tax sheltered annuities and the like. Neither are employee contributions to an employee PAC; other school districts in California have them. However, in its infinite wisdom, the College of Marin asked its lawyers if it was all right for the trustees to approve UPMPAC as a payroll deduction organization. Their attorneys expressed concern that the amount of time spent by District employees in processing the deductions could be viewed as a political activity while on the job, and would be illegal. Very creative. Is something else going on? I have been waiting nearly two months to receive the aforementioned wisdom in writing so that UPM may deal with the issue. In the meantime your payroll deduction forms are gathering dust. I am certain the problem will be resolved satisfactorily, but by that time you may have won the California Lottery. Be alert, stay informed. And above all, let us know what you think.

1999 Newsletters:	Jan. Feb. March April May June/July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec.
1998 Newsletters:	Jan. Feb. March April May June/July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec.
1997 Newsletters:	Jan. Feb. March April May June/July Sept Oct Nov Dec.

	OFFICIAL INTERIM NEWSLETTER EDITOR APPOINTED
	On November 8th Benjamin Lull was officially appointed as interim newsletter editor in the absence of Steve Jabloner. Benjamin currently works as a part time instructor in our non-credit ESL program. As the interim editor I warmly invite members of the faculty to submit articles of interest to union members as well as letters to the editor. I hope to serve the union membership as well as possible during my time as editor.
	UPM AND DISTRICT AGREE ON CLARIFICATION FOR PERSCRIPTION CO-PAYMENTS
	Kaiser medical insurance coverage will be modified to change prescription co-payments from $1.00 to $3.00. This change will be effective with the November 1, 1999 insurance program. For the remainder of this contract period only, the district shall compensate Healthnet subscribers for the differential between the 11/1/99 Kaiser Family rate at the $1.00 prescription rate ($559.57 effective 11/1/99) and the 11/1/99 Kaiser Family rate at the $3.00 prescription co-payment rate ($545.44 effective 11/1/99) up to the maximum cost of the Healthnet program in which they are participating. This is only intended to include those subscribers whose program costs exceed the Kaiser $3.00 co-payment amount. If you have any questions, contact Paul Christensen, x7635 or Ira Lansing x7531