We need salaries that allow us to live in our high-cost area!

FACT: The cost of living in San Mateo County is the highest of any county in the high-priced Bay Area. (Cost-of-living index shows % above national median for each area.) FACT: Home values in San Mateo County are the highest of all counties in the exorbitant Bay Area housing market. (National Assoc. of Realtors)

FAIRNESS?: A faculty member making $104,000 per year and living alone with no dependents in San Mateo County is “low-income” (California Department of Housing and Community Development). This means that salaries for many full-time faculty members are below the low-income threshold, while the current top faculty salary of $142,128 is below the area “moderate income” level of $147,000.

EQUITY! Our district’s wealth comes from taxes on our county’s high property values. SMCCCD’s tax revenue increases the last 3 years were 5%, 8.4% and 6.5%.The last faculty raise, in 2021, was 0.5% – when inflation was 8.3%! True equity means providing salaries that allow all faculty to have a high quality of life – especially in counties like ours with some of the highest costs in the nation. Why does the District deny faculty even a “moderate” standard of living for our area?

Each of our weekly messages include a quick survey on your thoughts about the current District proposal on an issue by issue basis.(see Negotiation FAQs.)

Help shape AFT’s counter proposal on compensation! Let us know your thoughts and concerns regarding the district’s current proposal on salaries by taking a short survey. Click the “Take Survey” button on the right to begin. Every bit of feedback helps us act strategically to win a fair contract!