AFT 1493 E-News – June 13, 2006

Dear Colleagues,

Below is a brief update on negotiations between AFT 1493 and the District.  We will continue to keep you updated as new developments occur over the summer.  Also below are the results of the recently-concluded AFT 1493 election of officers, Executive Committee members and delegates for the 2006 – 2008 term of office.

Negotiations

Since our last AFT 1493 update (on May 12) AFT and District negotiators have had 2 mediation sessions, on May 25 and June 2, but there has been very little progress.  The mediator controls this process and by her instructions neither side is allowed to share details about the discussion taking place. 

The next session will be on June 23. (Although our team was available almost all month, that date was the only day that the mediator had open for which the District's outside negotiator was available.)

State Budget Update

Although our District negotiations have been slow, there is some positive news regarding state funding for items that are currently being discussed in negotiations.  CFT Legislative Director, Judith Michaels reported the following on June 9:

We expect the conference committee to close out the budget today. The committee just voted to adopt a conference compromise -- here are a few highlights of extreme interest to CFT members:

· $6 million for part-time health insurance

· $11 million for part-time office hours

· Fees reduced from $26 to $20 per unit effective spring semester

The above are all from Prop 98 ongoing funds.  Of course, none of this is completely final until the conference committee completes its work, the budget moves to the floors of both houses, the budget passes by a 2/3 vote of the Legislature, and Governor Schwarzenegger signs it.  Editorially speaking, though, we can be optimistic at this point.

AFT 1493 Election Results for 2006-2008

OFFICERS:  

President:    Ernie Rodriguez                                                         

Co-Vice Presidents:    Teeka James & Katharine Harer

Secretary:    Alma Cervantes

Treasurer:    Dave Danielson                                  

CAMPUS CHAPTERS:

Cañada

Chapter Chair:  Monica Malamud                                                             

Exec. Committee Rep.:  Karen Olesen                                                                                                   

Part-timer Rep:  Victoria Clinton

CSM

Chapter Co-Chairs: Yaping Li & Ron Brown

Exec. Committee Rep: Anne Stafford

Part-timer Rep:  Sandra Raeber

Skyline

Chapter Co-Chairs:  Chip Chandler & Rick Hough

Exec. Committee Rep:  Nina Floro

Part-timer Co-Reps:  Joan Conners & Dietra Prater Slack                 

Delegates, CFT Convention: 

Joaquin Rivera,   Dan Kaplan,   Eric Brenner,   Chip Chandler,   Karen Olesen,   Dennis Claire,   Katharine Harer,   Rick Hough,   Dean Chowenhill,   John Kirk,   Monica Malamud,   Dietra Slack,   Kathleen Feinblum,   Teeka James,   Ernie Rodriguez,   Melissa Green,   Ron Brown

Delegates, AFT Convention:

Katharine Harer,   Dan Kaplan,   Joaquin Rivera,   Ernie Rodriguez,   Ron Brown,   John Kirk,   Dietra Slack,    Rick Hough,   Teeka James

Delegates, SM Central Labor Council:

Virginia Padron,   Rick Hough,   Karen Olesen,   Joaquin Rivera,   Katharine Harer,   Dan Kaplan

We hope you are enjoying your summer.

In unity,

Ernie Rodriguez

AFT 1493 President  

and

the AFT 1493 Negotiating Team: Joaquin Rivera, Katharine Harer and Victoria Clinton