Why We Deserve Annual Raises—and How We Can Win Them

In reference to “Union Victories: Let’s Keep up the Fight” (Nov. 2024), I’m sharing some further ideas about compensation.

As community college faculty, we know how much we contribute to our students and our institutions. Yet, our salaries don’t reflect the value of our work—or the rising costs of living in the Bay Area. Annual raises aren’t just nice to have; they’re necessary. Here’s why we deserve them and what we can do, together, to win them in contract negotiations.

First, let’s face it: if our pay doesn’t keep up with inflation, we’re effectively earning less every year. Many of us already stretch limited resources to do our jobs well, and that’s not sustainable—for us or for our students. Regular raises would also be a way to recognize everything we do, from teaching and mentoring to curriculum development and committee work, and it would mean we could focus more energy into our students. And let’s not forget, fair pay for hard work is a matter of equity.

So how do we get there? The first step is building unity. Whether we’re full-time or adjunct, we need to stand together and show that this is a priority for all of us. It’s also important to engage the community. When students and the public understand how better faculty pay benefits everyone—like improving retention and ensuring students get the support they need—they can become powerful allies.

We also need to bring data to the table. Salary comparisons, inflation trends, and workload studies can make a compelling case during negotiations. I volunteered to be part of the AFT article committees so I can be part of the research to make a strong and convincing proposal on compensation. And while numbers matter, visibility matters too. Showing up at board meetings, sharing our stories, and staying vocal are key to keeping the pressure on. Negotiators alone cannot win a meaningful gain for all of us.

Finally, when it’s time to negotiate, we need to work together so we can be clear about our demands, creative in how we voice them, and unified when the inevitable push back comes our way. Winning annual raises isn’t just about improving our paychecks—it’s about recognizing and valuing the essential role we play. It’ll take persistence and teamwork, but if we stand together, we can make it happen.

Jesse W. Raskin, Member AFT 1493