(3/13/14) Your negotiation team met with district management on February 21 and March 7. Here is an update of where we are in negotiating our next contract.
New District Chief Negotiator – Since the departure of Deb Hirsh, the District has hired an attorney, Randy Erickson, to serve as the Chief Negotiator for management for the Spring 2014 semester. Much of our February 21 meeting was successfully spent getting him up to speed on our process, apprising him of the progress we have made at the table so far, and organizing a plan to address the remaining areas of interest in negotiations for this contract. Of particular note is that he has been given the ‘Authority to Bargain’ by the Board of Trustees, which will make negotiations proceed much faster.
Evaluations – We have finished negotiating a framework for a revised evaluation process for tenure-track faculty. We are now working on improved processes for regular (tenured), temporary, categorical, and part-time faculty.
Scheduling – We are negotiating on the interests of faculty rights that also meet student needs, as well as full-time/part-time scheduling issues.
Send us concerns you have regarding the following negotiations issues that are next on our agenda:
Rights of the District – Are the rights of the District delineated in this article limited by what is negotiated in the other articles in our contract?
Textbook Issues – What should happen when the department agrees to all use a textbook that a single faculty member doesn’t feel will be as effective in producing student success as another text?
Grievance and Arbitration Process – When we are “between contracts” as we are now, should arbitration be an available option for faculty?
Part-Time Faculty Rehire Rights – Is there a way to provide greater job security for part-time faculty and retain management hiring flexibility?
Plus the following money matters that will be on the table at our April meetings -
Class Size – Both the maximum class size for smaller (under 55) and larger (over 54) classes is on the table for re-negotiation.
Health Benefits – We anticipate having a recommendation from the Health Benefits Advisory Committee to review for possible negotiation.
Compensation – We are compiling a list of California Community College Districts that have settled compensation negotiations as part of a salary comparability study.
Department Chair Compensation – CFE’s position is that it is too low and there is a lack of compensation equity amongst the Chairs.
All Other Interests that have a Monetary Component – Several topics will be negotiated, including Professional Development, Duty Days/Flex Days, Loading Factors, Part-Time Faculty Compensation, Contract Education, and Reassigned Time.
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Note that tentative agreements are not final agreements and subject to change. Additionally, the entire contract must be ratified by CFE members and the Board of Trustees before any contractual changes are implemented.
Our next session is March 14, 2014. Please contact any negotiation team member to provide input. Direct questions to Dean Mancina, CFE Chief Negotiator, at cfemancina@yahoo.com.
Your Team: Bob Fey, CFE Executive Director; Chris Hamilton, GWC; Ann Holliday, CCC; Dan Johnson, CCC; Marilyn Kennedy, OCC; Dean Mancina, CFE Chief Negotiator; Marcella Norling, OCC; Rob Schneiderman, OCC, Elizabeth Sykes, GWC.