It means that we refrain from teaching and any other work we would normally do for the district on the days that we strike, and we organize picket lines and rallies on each of our three campuses.

Faculty on strike do not grade, do not meet with students, do not log into email, do not hold practices or rehearsals, attend committee meetings, or perform any other faculty work. Withholding our labor includes both in-person and remote work.

No. A strike has power only if all of us come out to the picket lines to show management that we stand together. All faculty who are physically capable of doing so should be at picket lines on their campuses each day from 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM, and should plan to attend district-wide actions each afternoon. Treat striking like it’s your job for those days!

We don’t know for sure, but we do know that the median length of a higher-ed strike that includes both full-time and part-time faculty is about two days. The more people who show up, the shorter the strike will be.

You’ll sign in with our attendance leads each day. You do not need to tell the District.

Communicate with them early, just as you would if you were going to be out of town, or if you had to cancel class for any other reason. You can talk to your students about the strike because it is relevant to their education and to what is happening in your classroom. You may invite students to walk the picket line with us, although you must make clear that doing so is entirely voluntary.

Ask students to send anything they need from you (Letters of Recommendation, etc.) well before the first day of the strike.

Nothing different than what would happen if you had the flu or got a flat tire and couldn’t find a sub. Students overwhelmingly support faculty because they know that our working conditions are their learning conditions.

No. Moving classes online is not withholding labor, and would be crossing the picket line.

Sure!

No. Reading and writing emails and responding to student messages are parts of your job. You may use an out-of-office message, and should post announcements on all of your Canvas pages prior to the start of the strike. For example: “I am on strike for fair pay and quality education. Join us on the picket line.” Do not unpublish your Canvas pages.

You would not hold classes on Zoom, and you would not log into Canvas. Be sure to communicate to your students so that they know why you’re unavailable.

The union does not have the ability to cover lost wages. However, if we do go on strike, it will likely be for a short duration, and any loss of wages will be more than made up for by increased compensation—including back pay (remember, the district has to give us at least 11%, since that was their last public offer). Management would be within their rights to withhold pay for the days we are out on strike, though this rarely happens.

Because we get paid at the end of each month, because we will get significant raises upon reaching an agreement, and because the strike will likely be short, we don’t expect anyone to suffer financial hardship. If you are in a crisis, reach out to our Vice President Luis Zuniga (Zuniga@aft1493.org).

All faculty have the legal right to strike. It is a violation of state and federal law for management to discipline or retaliate against an employee for exercising their right to participate in a lawful labor action, such as a strike. Remember, you aren’t striking alone: 95% of your co-workers voted to strike along with you.

A strike ends when the Executive Committee of the Union and the District reach a tentative agreement, which will then be voted on by all members of the union.

Health care and other benefits will not be interrupted during a strike.

Yes. Coaches are faculty and would also refrain from all work during a strike.

Yes. Counselors are faculty and would also refrain from all work during a strike.

No. If you take paid leave of any kind, you are not on strike.