Protect our Democracy: Count every vote!

Election day is upon us. Voter turnout is through the roof, and union members and activists throughout the country are volunteering like never before to ensure that we set a new direction.

But Trump and his enablers are doing everything they can to undermine the election, with plans to intimidate voters on election day and threats to declare victory before all the ballots are counted. It is unlikely that he will concede power.

Given the unprecedented numbers of votes that have been cast early and by mail, we do not expect the final tally to be known on election night. We can expect voter suppression, manipulation of the counts, and long legal battles. It could take weeks to know the results.

All votes must be counted. Period.

AFT 2121 has been in dialogue with our friends and allies around post-election mobilizations. Here are statements from the San Francisco Labor Council and AFT National.

This year our job includes more than getting out the vote. Here are some things we can do as unionists to ensure that every vote is counted. It all starts with mass actions on November 4th and November 7th. These are masked, peaceful demonstrations, organized by Protect the Results, Bay Resistance, and other allies.

November 4th, San Francisco, 3-6 p.m
Justin Herman Plaza, Embarcadero and Steuart 
RSVP and more info

November 4th, Oakland, 12-3 p.m.
Oscar Grant Plaza / Oakland City Hall
RSVP: FB Event Page for CFT

November 4th & 7th actions in other communities
Enter your zip code to find actions near you.
More information: https://protecttheresults.com/

Choose Democracy
A national network of seasoned Nonviolent Direct Action activists have created Choose Democracy as a way of coordinating national mobilizations to resist a possible coup.

Fair Fight
Stacey Abrams’ Fair Fight is organizing vote protection teams, with a variety of ways to participate.

We hope that this moment passes peacefully, that all votes are counted, and that our country holds a free and fair election. But we are prepared to fight if necessary.

(2 days left) You can do it: Elect the right candidates and pass Prop 15!

The election is tomorrow. We must elect local progressive candidates, Biden-Harris and pass Prop 15 to bring desperately needed funding to our CCSF.

You still have time to help win these critical campaigns!

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Mandatory Sexual Harassment Training

College employees are now required by state law to complete a one-hour sexual harassment training. AFT 2121 has negotiated that we will be eligible for flex credit for that hour. We need to complete this training by December 31, 2020.  

Brit Team, the training administrator, will send each of us a link to the training. We urge you to complete it as soon as you can. Please do not wait until the last minute. If you need help or tech support over winter break, no one will be available at the college to help.

Like the required TB test, this training serves to protect our college community. As with the TB test, an employee who does not complete the training by the due date is in violation of law, and could be considered insubordinate and subject to discipline.

The Chancellor sent a form to our faculty, asking for feedback on a draft budget that slashes faculty pay by almost $18 million!  At the 11^th hour, on the weekend before the election of our lifetime, the Chancellor wants our feedback. Now busy faculty must not only save democracy, we must save the college this weekend too.

This form is not a good faith effort to address the needs of our students and college. It is a public relations ploy designed to create fear, and it is an attempt to sidestep AFT 2121 in negotiations. We urge the District not to continue this tactic in the future and to be serious.

The budget reality in the next few years simply has too many uncertainties to have a realistic conversation now. Much of it depends on the election results.

• Will Prop 15 pass? If it does, it will bring millions into the college.
• Who will be President? Who will control the United States Senate? If Democrats gain control of both there will likely be a large stimulus package similar to the Heroes Act. If not, there will be a lot less money.
• What will the State budget look like? This year has been an unbelievable roller coaster in economic growth. GDP in the 2nd Quarter dropped by 31%, then it just increased by 33% in the 3rd Quarter.
• Will our City College leaders, the CCSF Board of Trustees, stand up and realize they can’t cut their way out of this problem?  If they do, we can work together to support a fully funded community college that has always been supported by the San Francisco community and voters election after election.

Once answers to these questions become clearer, then we can talk about the budget. But some things are certain right now:

• Faculty will not accept balancing the budget on the backs of faculty and students.
• San Franciscans need their community college to be consistent and reliable, now more than ever. CCSF will play a vital role in rebuilding our economy and reinvigorating our communities by providing access to education and training. We need a plan to recover, stabilize, and grow.
• We need upskilling, retraining, critical thinking, and connection across all sectors and generations.
• We need an intact college with a variety of achievable programs.

If you agree, please fill out the Chancellor’s very short form: https://forms.gle/MUoDwuuv1nkcXWDv7

(3 days left) You can do it: Elect the right candidates and pass Prop 15!

The election is only 3 days away. We must elect Biden/Harris and local progressive candidates and pass Prop 15 to bring desperately needed funding to our CCSF. Are you planning to help win these critical campaigns?

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(Thurs. 10/29) Faculty evaluations during the COVID era

• RSVP for bargaining
• Fill out the survey on evaluation criteria.

(6 days left) You can do it: Elect the right candidates and pass Prop 15!

The election is only 6 days away. We must elect Biden/Harris and local progressive candidates and pass Prop 15. Are you planning to help win these critical campaigns?

• Sign up to help!