What Has the Union Done for Me?
Kathy Baameur, ESL teacher, signs a blue card to indicate her interest in having the GCFA be her bargaining agent at the negotiating table. |
GCFA Advocacy 2006-2007 for part-time faculty:
- Major salary increase for all part-time faculty
- Negotiations of new salary schedule with steps and columns that recognizes part-timers' academic preparation, continuing education efforts, and longevity with salary increases
- Advocacy of early notification for part-timers on their pay dates, and short-term district loans for those caught by surprise by fall 2006 late paydates
- Advocacy of fair and equitable seniority system based on evaluations of part timers
- Advocacy of part time absence policy
- Success in getting the district to collect, maintain, and update all part-timers' email address to faciliate communication on all college matters
- Success in getting the district to improve its record-keeping on part-time faculty hires
- Advocacy of timely, correct, and error-free contracts for all part-time faculty
- Agreement on how GCFA dues will be consistently and fairly charged part timers who join the union
- Greivance services and contract advice to part-time unit members in need
- Sponsorship of Gavilan part-time faculty representative to attend California Part-time Faculty Association meeting
- Retirement planning services to part-timers: meetings with Zuk and Associates, packet on STRS and other retirement benefits
- Creation of part timers' interest group to discuss salary, mileage, sick leave, and office hours inconsistencies with District
- Survey of part-timers and detailed report on part-time issues of concern to union, Senate, and district
- Meetings to discuss part-timers' concerns with full time GCFA members
- Creation of website with significant part-time issues content
- Development of part time leadership group and e-list to advise union on part time issues
- Training of part time staff in leadership, negotiations, and grievance work at CCA conferences, funded by CCA
- Advocacy of fair and equitable treatment for part timers who teach by the unit and by the hour, lecture and lab classes
- February 2007 CCA-funded retreat on part-time issues and involvement by Faculty Senate in resolving non-negotiable concerns
- Social events including BBQ with retirees
- October 2006 Equity Week commemoration to recognize contributions of part-time faculty
- Development of values statement reflecting GCFA's concern for fair and equitable treatment of part-timers
GCFA Advocacy 2005-2006 for part-time faculty:
- Collaboration with part-time Faculty Senate rep on collection of contact information for adjunct faculty; submission of CCA grant proposal for completing this work
- Advocacy for district aid to adjuncts who were taken by surprise by late first fall payday
- Introduction of automatic direct deposit for adjunct faculty.
- Abolition at GCFA's request of $75 fee for new faculty fingerprinting
- Advocacy of pay increase for adjunct faculty 2004-05 using state parity funds for 14 percent increase
- Equity week mini-grants given from CCA and GCFA to four departments for activities to connect with and honor adjunct faculty
- Request that district research out-of-pocket medical benefits for adjuncts
- Request that district establish better email communication with adjunct faculty, and share its other contact information with GCFA
- Recruited for and set up email committee to consult on adjunct faculty issues.
- Grievance services for adjunct faculty member
- Adjunct faculty represented as part of Gavilan's contingent to statewide CCA Leadership Academy
- Request that district make office hour pay equally available to all adjuncts
Advocacy for all faculty:
- Salary increases every year
- Workshops with union and off-campus experts on union membership benefits, and 16 week calendar and STRS retirement
- Social events
- Design of website to communicate issues and FAQS
- Pay increase tied to 16 week calendar's increased time in classroom for some faculty
- Revision of faculty evaluation instrument
- E-newsletter for all faculty on issues of interest
- Bulletin board for communication about union issues in staff mailroom
Benefits of union membership:
- One hour of free legal consultation with CCA legal staff or a qualified attorney.
- Voting on local contracts, officers, and other issues.
- Access to conferences on Community College issues, state educational political issues, human rights and quiety, urban and rural issues, and good teaching.
- Training conferences on union issues and skills
- Political advocacy on issues such as the proposed college version of No Child Left Behind,; adjunct faculty medical benefits, office hours,and parity pay; community college budget and fee issues;
- Death and dismemberment life insurance plan-automatically provided.
- Professional liability insurance-automatically provided.
- Voluntary group life insurance plan to supplement other insurance plans.
- Voluntary disability insurance plan to supplement other benefit programs.
- Voluntary Health Information and Well Baby program.
- Discounted home and auto insurance.
- CTA credit card program
- Discounted travel,entertainment, and purchase options.
- Credit union servicesthrogh First Financial Credit Union and Provident Credit Union.
- Scholarship opportunities for offspring of CTA members.
- Disaster Relief Fund for members who have experienced significant losses due to disasters.
Agency fee payers receive:
- Grievance services
- No participation in surveys on initial proposals for bargaining, electing leadership of union, or voting on contract.
- No free legal consultation with CCA legal staff.
- No membership benefits such as insurance plans
- Can file to have political advocacy monies rebated