August 19, 2026
Colleagues,
Sorry for the late notice, but we encourage you to wear your red AFT shirt Wednesdays until we get a fair contract! A quick negotiations update and 2 asks for you today.
Negotiations Update
We expect to receive the factfinding report tomorrow (Thursday, 8/20/26). Once we receive that report, it will be confidential for 10 days, during which time we will resume negotiations with the District. If we still cannot reach agreement after 10 days, the report will be made public and we gain the legal right to go on strike. Assuming we receive the factfinding report tomorrow, please mark your calendars for Tuesday, Sept. 8 as a potential first strike day.
Our goal remains to secure a fair contract for faculty before a work stoppage, but if the District doesn’t come to the table with a fair offer, we need to be prepared to exercise our strike power!
To refresh everyone’s memory on what we’re fighting for and to prepare for a possible strike, we’ve created a “Strike Central” page on our website. This is the central repository for all things negotiation- and strike-related (calendar of events, logistics, FAQs, etc.) and it will be updated as we receive new information.
2 Asks
- If you haven’t yet done so this semester, please fill out our Strike Commitment form, or tell me or another member of our Strike Team you’re committed to going on strike and joining our picket line in September should we call a strike. If you do not fill out this form or tell one of us you’re in, we will be calling and texting you in the next week!
- Plan to attend the very-important Board of Trustees meeting Wednesday, Aug. 26th, 4:45-7:00. 3401 CSM Dr, San Mateo.
We achieved a milestone with our 95% Yes Strike Vote in March, and I can tell you that the District has made better offers as a result of that vote and our looming strike in September. After all our hard work, let’s make sure we cross the finish line strong, continuing to organize and flex our union power so that we win a fair contract!
Below is a picture from our social last Friday. Onward in solidarity!
Chet Lexvold
Executive Director
San Mateo Community College Federation of Teachers, AFT 1493
lexvold@aft1493.org
650-395-8347