Update on Negotiations for What You & Your Students Deserve

Posted on April 20, 2023 by AFT 2121

Bargaining Update-April 20, 2023

Last Thursday’s bargaining session was a little different from previous meetings, in that some work was actually accomplished, and the teams exchanged proposals. However, David Martin’s team was still not ready to address issues related to the budget, stating the need for guidance from folks “who are not here at the table.” They are buying time.

To be clear, these are negotiations for what you and your students deserve. AFT is committed to finding win-win solutions that improve faculty morale and student learning because that is what our city and community deserves and expects.

Salary restoration: AFT presented our proposal to fully restore concessions on March 6. David Martin’s team still has no response. AFT’s lead negotiator Alayna Fredricks said, “We’re disappointed not to be able to start this discussion.”
Health insurance expansion: AFT presented a counter-proposal which would still preserve our goal of lowering the bar for insurance eligibility. David Martin’s team had concerns which they couldn’t articulate and said that they lacked the authority to sign the proposal.
Work environment: AFT had proposed specific CO2 and temperature levels. David Martin’s team responded that “the District will consider” taking care of the problems.
Leaves: AFT presented a new proposal that would provide parental leave and expand bereavement leave, as well as clarifying some contract language on leaves. We await the district’s response.
Union Rights: AFT had proposed greater transparency regarding the college’s budget, and for faculty to have a way to anonymously evaluate administrators. David Martin’s team rejected our proposal. However, away from the bargaining table, the administration provided a form which faculty can use to evaluate administrators by April 28. The cover sheet asks for your name, but the evaluation form itself does not. Here are the links: instructions, rubric, and cover sheet, and the evaluation form.
David Martin’s team presented a proposal on faculty evaluations which would give Deans more control over the evaluation process.