Wim, and all, I think we would all benefit if personal attacks and personal offenses could be avoided. I'm sure Fred understands that you have valuable opinions and knowledge just as you understand and respect the great amount of work he and the committee has already done. The existing guidelines and workload formula have been in the public domain since July 1990 and have been of great help to a large number of technicians, myself included. They have a proven track record. I have attended every National CAUT Forum since 1992 and not once have I heard anyone complain that they are confusing or that the workload formula was unworkable. They are not meant to calculate how many hours per week we need to work or on what. In their present form, they are quite effective in demonstrating to administrators the variables involved in adequately maintaining a piano inventory and in isolating potential problems such as an aging or substandard inventory or climate control problems. The six categories are essential in this respect. Over the past 11 years, I have used the formula in both institutions where I have been employed and have achieved positive results in each case. It has been my experience that the administrators are on our side. They want the same things we do. They (hopefully) respect our expertise. They love having the ammunition in hand to go begging for money. Money is the main problem...our College's budget has been cut every year I've been here. There is a need for more flexibility in the formulas because of the wide variety and orientations of different institutions, and I think Fred's work has helped address these needs. We don't need to throw out the baby with the bathwater here! I agree with what Michael Jorgenson said about Wim's formula. It looks like it would be a great nuts and bolts tool for Contract technicians to have when negotiating contracts and pushing for budgets. When you are getting paid to do a certain amount of work, it's a good idea to know what that work will be! As a matter of fact, the CAUT Committee has identified the Contract Technicians as being the people most in need of help and support. Maybe Wim's formula could be worked up as a stand-alone document for the CAUCTs. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Eric Wolfley, RPT Head Piano Technician Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music University of Cincinnati ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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