GMM | COPE | Draft academic calendar | More…

Posted on October 18, 2021 by AFT 2121

(10/19) Strategic planning at General Membership Meeting: This is your fight, help shape it

Many of you recently participated in a SWOT discussion with your department. Now’s the time to take the next step at your General Membership Meeting tomorrow Tuesday, Oct 19, from 3-5pm on Zoom (link here). There you will have the chance to develop and assess recommendations generated from your collective feedback on the strengths and weaknesses (‘SWOT’) of your college and your union. These recommendations will determine how we advocate as a union to protect and revive our college.

This is your fight–it’s about your pay, your students, and your college, so make sure you’re speaking up and paying attention. Confirm you can make the General Membership tomorrow Tuesday at 3pm by replying ‘yes’ to this email.

At precinct meetings throughout the college these past two weeks, many of you shared your perspective, your questions, and your ideas on the strengths and weaknesses of your college and your union. As a faculty, we collectively generated profound insights on the conditions of our campaign by participating in the strategic campaign exercise known as a ‘SWOT’ (the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats of and for your Organization).

At Tuesday’s General Membership Meeting, we’re going to review a summary of your insights and collectively develop the most effective next steps based on them. To shape these plans with your colleagues, you need to be a member, so if you’re not one, now is the time to join. You can do so here, and see you there!

(10/19) First reading: DRAFT 2022-23 Academic Calendar

Every year, administration creates a draft calendar for the following academic year. Our Delegate Assembly is usually tasked with reviewing it and responding, either agreeing with it or drafting a counter-proposal. This year, the timing is such that the first reading can happen at our General Membership Meeting, 10/19.

View the DRAFT calendar

If our GMM votes to approve the draft calendar as administration has proposed it, the process can end there. We’ll have an approved calendar. If GMM votes to create a counter-proposal, we’ll discuss options. We can also talk to more members and take more input over the next month. The DA can take all this input and write language for a counter-proposal in November. Then we can expect some back-and forth negotiation with administration before it’s settled. Read more….

(10/19 & 10/20) GMM, COPE meetings, voting

All AFT 2121 members are invited to participate in:

October 19th General Membership and COPE meetings from 1:30-5pm and COPE discussion and voting kick off on Wednesday, October 20th 1:30-2:00pm (held online and open for 24 hours).
To attend these meeting follow this link from your computer or smartphone OR call 1-669-900-6833 then follow the prompts to enter the meeting ID #810 1671 8065 and password: 783119.

GMM agenda and draft minutes:

COPE will have two meetings:

a series of presentations on Tuesday, October 19th, 1:30-3 pm
and discussion and voting kick off on Wednesday, October 20th 1:30-2:00pm (held online and open for 24 hours).
(10/19 & 10/20) Meeting Agendas

See you there!

Student Debt Relief: AFT victory over DeVos

Last week, AFT National reached a settlement in a lawsuit against Betsy DeVos. The Department of Education agreed to work with AFT to ensure relief for borrowers. Millions of Americans will now have their student loans completely forgiven or will be properly enrolled in a forgiveness program crediting their years of past payments. For more details, see the AFT National Fact Sheet on this settlement and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

You may be eligible for help or even complete forgiveness with your student loans. AFT National is working with a partner called Summer to help AFT members navigate this new process. Sign up at https://www.aft.org/benefits/summer

Locally, your labor siblings at the Peralta Federation of Teachers invite you to join their clinic on reducing your student debt. It will be held on Zoom, Tuesday 10/19, at noon.

Student Debt Clinic: October 19, noon
RSVP here