Monthly Archives: August 2023

ACTION UPDATE: WE NEED YOU AT OUR FLEX DAY CONTRACT FORUM!

Now that faculty contract negotiations have left confidential mediation, we are once again able to share information about negotiations with you. On Wednesday the 2nd, AFT negotiators presented our counters to District proposals on salary and benefits and dual enrollment.

We also presented proposals on remote work, disability accommodations, parental leave, part-time rights in summer, and union rights. AFT did not receive District counters on any of the proposals we presented on Wednesday, but the District’s team indicated they should have responses at our next negotiation session Friday, August 11th. Read the full report on August 2nd negotiations here.

As we keep organizing to win the strongest contract possible, AFT negotiators need your perspective on the issues that matter most to you. Please join our multimodal Contract Forum on District Flex Day:

AFT Flex Day Contract Forum

Monday, August 14th (District Flex Day)
1-2:30 p.m.


In person: CSM Bldg. 10 Room 154

On Zoom: register at linktr.ee/aft1493

 

ACTION UPDATE: WHY ARE CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS TAKING SO LONG

After reading this Action Update, let us know your thoughts regarding the district’s approach in negotiations by taking a short survey.

 

 

FACT: Since negotiations began over a year ago, the District’s negotiating team has refused to make any movement on AFT’s proposals in the following areas:

  • Lab rates
  • Parental leave
  • Applying part-time seniority rules to summer appointments
  • Remote work policies
  • Disability accommodations

FACT: The District’s Chief Negotiator, Randy Erickson (an outside lawyer who is not a District employee) has consistently offered “counter-proposals” to the above issues that maintain the status quo and are identical to current contract language.

FACT: While AFT continues to raise these important issues during bargaining, the District sidesteps. In his own words, Erickson puts these issues in the  “parking lot”—meaning negotiators won’t return to them until an undetermined date in the future.


FAIRNESS? While the District negotiating team has refused to move on key issues, faculty are forced to wait months for reasonable raises on money we’ve already earned.

The District may be hoping faculty grow so frustrated as a result that we simply give up on the issues languishing in the parking lot.


EQUITY! As you’ve shown in our recent member surveys, AFT faculty want the contract to provide a more equitable working environment by addressing key issues we’ve raised beyond salary and benefits.

When faculty raise concerns about movement on these issues, the District should come to a mutually workable agreement with AFT within a reasonable timeframe. 

“Parking” an issue is not a solution – it’s a stalling tactic!

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).

After reading this Action Update, let us know your thoughts regarding the district’s approach in negotiations by taking our survey. Click the “Take Survey” button on the right to begin. Every bit of feedback helps us act strategically to win a fair contract!

Mark your calendar! We will be holding a forum on District Flex Day (Monday, August 14) from 1 to 2:30 p.m. to discuss current proposals for the faculty contract, answer questions, and hear your perspectives. The forum will be multimodal: