Coach’s Corner – The State of the Union
The Need for a Dues Increase
This isn’t a fun topic, but we’ve got to face the fact that CCFT needs more revenue to continue the vital work we do on behalf of faculty. There’s a debate currently underway about how to structure the dues increase proposal the EB will be recommending to the membership for approval. We welcome input from the membership up front on this one. You can give your input in many ways:
- Talk with your CoR Rep.
- Talk with your EB member(s) directly.
- Go to the CCFT Blog on this topic and talk there.
- Come to the CoR meeting this Thursday, March 12, 3:00 PM in room 5402.
- Come to an open discussion on Friday, March 13, from 12:15-1:30 PM in room 5402 (Polycom will be available) on SLO campus.
- Come to an open discussion on Monday, March 16, from 1-3 PM in room N2038 (near the Cafeteria) on the NC campus.
There are many reasons why our financial situation requires us to seek a dues restructure. I’ll address just one of those here, and that’s the dues we pay to our state and national affiliates—CFT and AFT. These continue to increase every year, but what we receive in return is worth the cost of admission. Here are a few examples. Our affiliation with the state and national organizations helps us to defend the rights of faculty. This affiliation allowed us to apply for and receive very substantial reimbursement for the expensive arbitration we just completed—and won. We’ve received reimbursement for legal expenses on other cases as well and will undoubtedly need to draw in the future on the resources our affiliates can provide.
The AFT has provided invaluable help in rewriting our constitution. The office of AFT’s legal counsel reviewed, at no additional charge, our current constitution, identified a host of problems, and made specific recommendations which are being incorporated by the committee working on the constitution revision. (That revision will be submitted to the membership for its approval in the upcoming weeks). AFT’s legal counsel continues to assist our constitutional revision committee as it sorts through the various changes that will be proposed to the membership. And let’s not forget that AFT’s legal counsel settled our disputed presidential election last year and cleared the way for us to move in a new direction.
Also important is the legal work provided by the law office retained by CCFT. That doesn’t come cheap, but the expertise is invaluable and available to us because of our affiliation with CFT. But perhaps the most important benefit provided by CFT has been the tireless and incredibly skilled assistance we have received from our CFT Field Rep Shannon Willson. (Thanks again Shannon).
Benefits Committee Work
In an effort to be proactive, CCFT and CCCUE Benefits Committee members are organizing a presentation afternoon from SISC, Blue Shield and Blue Cross. Each group will have up to 30 minutes to discuss their program. Following the presentations, faculty and classified members will evaluate each and give some direction to the Benefits Committee. Please mark your calendar for Monday, April 6, 3:00-5:00 in the Humanities Forum.
More on Relationships
I opened my last president’s message by applauding the cordial, civil, and respectful dialogue between our members and noting that our professional relationships are helping us to accomplish a great deal. Also important to advancing our work at Cuesta is the relationship between CCFT and the Academic Senate. I’m pleased to report that, with the Academic Senate’s support, CCFT has gathered and carried forward faculty suggestions on possible budget cuts. We made a lot of progress on this at last week’s Council meeting. I’m also pleased to report that CCFT has negotiated release time for faculty who will be working with the Academic Senate to respond to the ACCJC midterm progress report.
Because of our budget crisis and other challenges we face, important achievements and accomplishments on campus may go without the recognition we’d like to give them. The faculty who recently received tenure after surmounting four years of challenges both in the classroom and around campus deserve our congratulations. So, congratulations!
What’s Coming
In my next message on the state of our union I’ll be reporting on negotiations, more on benefits, budget issues, and upcoming CCFT elections. Stay tuned and keep up the good work.
Allison Merzon
Health and Physical Education Faculty Member
CCFT President
Cuesta College