Lottery $ $ $

Marilyn Rossa

 

As you may know, as a result of the salary formula, you will be receiving a 0.647% bonus.  The district told the Federation that it would not be able to pay this modest sum (because of limited staff) until mid-July.  Because the contract specifies that we were to have been paid the lottery money last November and because we didn't require this of the district, we said the July date was unacceptable.  We indicated that we must be paid at once or that interest must be paid.  The district agreed to pay interest for 149 calendar days, from February 18 through July 16 at current SLO County Treasury rate of 5.97%.  As a result, your bonus check (of 0.674% plus interest) which now totals 0.69% will be available to you on Monday, July 17.

 

 

2000--2001 Contract Reopeners

Marilyn Rossa

 

We had a very productive discussion on reopeners at our April 7 Council of Reps meeting.  Suggestions included pro-rata pay and pay for office hours for part-time faculty, improving the lecture/lab ratio further, squaring off the salary schedule, providing stipends for coaches and lead full time faculty of programs, agency fee, calendar issues, maternity leave pay, restructuring large lecture pay, flexible work weeks and less weekly work hours for service faculty, changes to the peer evaluation process (of course), fringe benefits, retirement incentives, longevity pay, and restructuring the salary formula.

 

The Executive Board appreciates all the thought and energy that members put into the reopener process.  As a result of what was brought to us, we have chosen to reopen the following articles for 2000--2001:  Article IV (Compensation); Article V (Work Hours, Work Year and Workload; and Article XI (Rights of the Exclusive Representative).  This notification was presented at the Board of Trustees meeting on May 3.  We will inform you of the specific proposals at a later date.

 

We wish we could have reopened all your suggestions (well, kind of).  But, of course, we are limited.  We did spend a great deal of time on what we believe to be the best negotiating strategy.  One word on calendar:  some of you had an interest in reopening the whole calendar issue.  We felt this to be premature.  The Calendar Committee must and will survey faculty about the many calendar ramifications.  Since we continue to look at a shortened semester, the Executive Board did not wish to approach this quite complex issue (flex day placements, breaks, length of semesters, etc.) piecemeal but, rather, approach this as a full package in the near future.

 

1999--2000 Contract Ratification

Marilyn Rossa

 

We are waiting for the district's counsel to respond to our counsel on the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) proposal we constructed.  The district has had the IPR in its hands since March 7.  We are pressing for action.  As it looks now, we will be sending ratification ballots to members' homes this summer.

 

Part-time News

Sally Blanton

 

Part-time equity issues are not new. However, this year we've seen increased activism at both state and local levels, particularly in regard to pro rata pay. At Cuesta, we started the 1999-2000 academic year by raising awareness about AB420, and we have continued to raise awareness about pay inequity throughout the year, most recently by participating in the statewide A2K (Action 2000): Part-time Equity Week. As we finish the academic year, we must remember that our pursuit of equal pay for equal work is not finished. We must keep tabs on our progress at Cuesta and in Sacramento. For the last few weeks, a task force has been meeting to decide what pro rata means at Cuesta. Although definitions aren't the same as paychecks, the task force is taking steps in the right direction.

 

In other areas, we have made some very clear gains. Specifically, part-time faculty can now move a step on the salary schedule after four semesters of teaching, even if those semesters were not consecutive. In addition, part-time dues to CCFT were reduced from 1.5% of a month's earnings (with a $15 minimum) to 1% of a month's earnings (with a $10 minimum).

 

We still have many other issues to deal with, and I greatly appreciate your willingness to complete the surveys that I distributed. I am in the process of calculating and synthesizing your feedback and hope to represent you and your concerns as accurately as possible. I hope you will contact me with any other ideas or concerns that come to mind.

 

As we conclude the semester, keep your eye out for Christine Marchant on Tuesdays at noon in front of the cafeteria. The 500-plus signatures gathered during Part-time Equity Week inspired Christine to continue the cause in a very visible way. I encourage everyone to stop by the table on Tuesdays to join her . . . and thank her. As a part-time activist, Christine has been invaluable at both the local and state levels, and she boldly led the A2K charge at Cuesta. In addition, thanks to everyone who staffed the table and signed the petition. It's been an active year-let's not lose our momentum.

 

Title?

Christine Marchant

 

It was very exciting for me to participate in this year’s CFT convention, all the more so since part-time issues were at the top of the agenda. For example, recognizing the need for more part-time voices on the Community College Council, locals voted to increase part-time representation.  In addition, workshops on pay equity and STRS drew many people both from the full and part-time ranks, and discussions on these issues were plentiful.  The highlight for me, though, were the meetings that were held throughout the weekend to plan for the Action 2000 Week. The mood was exhilarating and optimistic, mainly because the CFT statewide rep for part-time faculty, Scott Suneson,  an extremely dedicated and charismatic  individual, has worked relentlessly to make part-time issues a number one concern for CFT.  He, along with many other part-time activists, are determined to keep up the fight until part-time faculty receive what they deserve: equal pay for equal work.  More importantly, the entire membership of CFT  supports our actions in word and in deed. The number of discussions on part-time issues, both formal and informal throughout the weekend attested to this. I’m looking forward to next year’s convention.

 

Action 2000 Week

 

Ninety community colleges participated in the Action 2000 Week , which, lest you should have forgotten,  was a a coalition working to promote equal pay for equal work for part-time community college instructors.  Participating campuses staffed information tables, held meetings, produced press releases, wore = buttons, and collected thousands of signatures on petitions that will be presented to Gray Davis in Sacramento on May 8, Lobby Day .

 

I’m proud to say that Cuesta College was one of the many that participated in the activities on April 3-7.  Every day we were in front of the cafeteria with our information table, collecting signatures and sharing information with students. The response was overwhelmingly positive.  While part-time instructors in other colleges have complained of negative reactions from some of their full-time colleagues, I was pleased to observe that this was not the case at Cuesta.  In fact, full-time teachers from CCFT were  behind the table every day along side of us supporting our endeavors, and many discussed our issues with their students. They understand the importance of eliminating the inequities between part-time and full-time faculty. They realize that a two tier system like this does not serve the students well.

 

Some pessimists have suggested that Action 2000 Week was a waste of time, just another cry in the desert.  I disagree. In the last five years I have seen the change in attitudes in the legislature and throughout the community college system. There is a general consensus that  changes must be made--very soon.  Many are now willing to admit that the exploitation of 30,000 part-time instructors across California is plain wrong. But more importantly, because of our dedication, they realize that we are ready for more ACTION WEEKS should we have to wait too long. So to those pessimists who say change is impossible, listen to Mother Jones and “Don’t mourn, Organize.”

 

Title?

Marilyn Rossa

 

At the May 3 Board of Trustees meeting the Board received a proposal sent forward by the Management Senate which intended to revise Board Policy  ----- to address "Professional Growth Leaves for Academic Administrators." (Please see the draft proposal on the following page.)  The proposal was to include all academic administrators from the President through the academic directors.  The Academic Senate and CCFT met with President Rosenwasser on Monday to express some serious concerns about this proposal.  Those concerns included the following:    -------------------Although the recommendation on the Board agenda was to approve the proposal, the President modified her position by saying that the item needed considerable more work and was not ready to go forward.  We applaud the President for listening to our concerns, and, in our opinion, acting responsibly.  The Board then tabled the item, requesting that----------- Since the item was tabled, no further discussion occurred.  We do plan on making our concerns clear, in writing, before the next Board meeting.

 

For Rent to faculty / staff:

Unfurnished private room and bath in large, lovely 2 bedroom apartment.

$400 per month plus half electric bill.

No pets, smoking, or drugs.

$800 deposit required.

543-1527

 

  

Executive Board

 

Marilyn Rossa, President                                                                     3187

Matthew Fleming, Vice-President, Membership Chair                        3177

Mark Tomes, Secretary-Treasurer                                                       2223

Lenny Erickson, Grievance Officer                                                     3170

Darin Haydock, Chair, Committee on Political Education (COPE)      2562

Sally Blanton, Chair, Part-Time Faculty                                              3177

Louise Noel, Liaison, Council of Reps to Executive Board                 3188

Stacy Bushey, Liaison, Council of Reps to Executive Board               3953

 

CCFT Council of Representatives

Definition:

This council advises and provides divisional membership input to the CCFT Executive Board.

 

Composition:

Elected by the divisional membership for a one-year term.

 

Please contact one of your divisional council reps if you have union concerns.

 

Meri Jayne. Basti                     Physical Education                              3979

Ruth Biering                            Business Education                              3258

Sally Blanton                           English                                                3177

Stacy Bushey                           English                                                3953

Peter Dill                                 Social Sciences                                    3167

Lenore Erickson                      Social Sciences                                    3170

Virginia Findley                      Business Education                              3261

Matthew Fleming                    English                                                3177

Dana Gough                            Counseling                                          2277

Jeff Grover                              Physical Sciences                                3233

Darin Haydock                        Social Sciences                                    2562/6260

Patrick Hughes                        Mathematics                                        3934

Eileen Kerr                              Social Sciences                                    3165

Pete Lagomarsino                    Engineering and Technology               3275

Diane Lichty                            Business Education                              3262

Keith Lilley                              Library Services                                  3158

Nancy Mann                            Biology                                                3227   

Barbara McGee                       Mathematics                                        3236

Mike Napoli                            Physical Education                              3208

Darlene Nelson                        Learning Skills / DSPS                        2224

Louise Noel                             Languages and Communication          3188

Irene Nuñez                             Counseling                                          2248

Robin Powers                          Learning Skills / DSPS                        6217/6254

Tony Rector-Cavagnaro          Languages and Communication          3935

William F. Richmond              Engineering and Technology               3267

Marilyn Rossa                         English                                                3187

Marcia Scott                            Nursing / Allied Health                        3912

Mark Tomes                            Learning Skills / DSPS                        2223

Mark Turner                            Mathematics                                        3234

James West                              English                                                3189

Anne-Marie Williams              English                                                6256

 

Editor:  Marilyn Rossa