February 2018 Advocate: Get involved in AFT 1493
AFT 1493 LEADERSHIP
Get involved in AFT Local 1493: Run for office!
In mid-April, AFT Local 1493 will be holding elections to determine the leadership of the Local for the next two years. Have you ever considered running for a Union position? In other words, have you ever considered taking an active role in the organization that represents the interests of all faculty in this District? Would you like to contribute to the process of making some positive changes for faculty in this District?
Representing faculty, from negotiations & grievances to committee meetings
Union office entails various different kinds of tasks and responsibilities, ranging from representing the AFT at the negotiating table to working as a grievance officer, as well as running meetings and doing organizing projects for the Local.
Some released time is provided for certain union positions. Executive Committee (EC) meetings are normally held on the second Wednesday of each month at 2:15 p.m. at each of the different colleges on a rotating basis.
The Chapter Chairs at each of the three colleges bring the concerns of their members to the monthly EC meeting, and is a good place to begin your work in the Union.
Develop leadership skills
During a two-year term as a member of the EC, a faculty member would have a good chance to develop or improve their leadership skills. There are California Federation of Teachers (CFT) conferences as well as a range of workshops sponsored by the Community College Council from time to time. These are both excellent places to meet union activists from other Locals around the state and the country, and to develop new skills at the same time.
It takes many people to make our union work well. Please consider running for a union position, and let’s all make our union stronger and our district a better place to work.