Coach’s Corner – The State of the Union
Relationships and Budget Cuts
In my last two email messages to members I’ve written about relationships and the progress I’ve seen in that area. I’m concerned about the impact of budget cuts on our relationships—with each other and with other groups on campus, particularly management.
The budget cuts implemented so far have fallen overwhelmingly on our classrooms. I’ve heard some managers say that these are just cuts to the schedule. Let’s remember that our schedule of classes is a living, breathing thing, with the faces of real people behind it. Long-term, dedicated and talented faculty have lost their work. We’re talking about friends, colleagues, and union members here—not just line items in the schedule of classes.
Our negotiating team will do everything possible to make sure that future budget reductions occur as far from our teaching as possible. We should learn more about coming budget cuts when we meet with management in negotiations on Monday.
Our Union’s Finances – Your Feedback
The CCFT Executive Board voted to postpone asking members to approve a dues restructure. We decided that our union needs more time to inform members of our financial situation and to gather and process feedback from members. We’re committed to listening to members, integrating and incorporating their concerns and suggestions into our plans for addressing our financial situation. We want to be patiently pro-active on this most important issue.
Let me begin the process of informing our members by letting you know that our union is in financial trouble. We’ll need to move quickly to address this problem at the beginning of next fall semester. However, the Executive Board also wants to be sure that we’re moving in a direction that will benefit our members in the long term and keep us from getting in this kind of a financial bind in the future.
Benefits Committee
As promised, the CCFT and CCCUE members are working proactively on benefits issues. To that end we have scheduled representatives from Blue Cross/ SISC and CalPERS (Blue Shield has opted out) to come to Cuesta on Monday, April 6 from 3-5:00 PM, in room 5402. Polycom will be available. Everyone is welcome to attend. We are giving both groups about 40 minutes to present their product as well as address specific questions that are being generated by Benefits Committee members. If you have a question you would like answered please e-mail it to me by Monday, March 30 and I will forward to the representatives.
Cast Your Vote
Ballots for the new CCFT Constitution and Bylaws are in faculty boxes. Please take a few moments to cast your vote. And thanks to he hardworking and efficient, Constitution and By-Laws Committee.
Go Cougars!
Allison Merzon
Health and Physical Education Faculty Member
CCFT President
Cuesta College