Bulletin of May 19, 2010
Moving forward, lots to do
As we wrap up this turbulent year, we want to take a moment to thank you the AFT 2121 membership for your continued dedication to and support of the union. With upcoming changes in our leadership on the heels of a contested election, we are confident we will come together for the good of the local and our faculty as a whole.
We are in complete agreement it is essential to recognize the long-term work that has gone into making AFT 2121 the strong local it is today. We also see important opportunities to strengthen and develop AFT 2121’s active community, especially in these difficult times.
As a union and as a faculty we have challenging work to do, together. These next months and next year will be crucial as we struggle with deepening gaps in the CCSF budget.
Educational institutions throughout the state are in the midst of a budgetary crisis, and City College is no exception. As you’ll see from the enclosed information about the current state of the CCSF budget and negotiations, there is much to consider and much to do. AFT 2121 will need input and support in the coming months.
As you move on with your various summer plans, we hope you will keep an ear tuned for news of the budget and also news about the Majority Vote Budget Initiative, which will help us end budget gridlock in California in future years and, we believe, put California’s priorities back on track.
If you are not already on the local’s email activist listserve, AFT 2121 News via Unionspeak, please send an email to wleung@aft2121.com to sign up. Over the summer and beyond, we will keep you apprised of the budget and other developments and let you know about opportunities to advocate for CCSF and for the important work we do here.
We wish you an excellent summer, and we look forward to hearing from you,
Gus Goldstein, president
Alisa Messer, president-elect
Negotiations update: Crisis continues; AFT pushes for concerted action
AFT and the District continue to negotiate over the impact of State budget cuts on faculty compensation and working conditions. Bargaining sessions are scheduled for May 20 and 27.
The Governor’s May 15 “revise” of his January budget proposal for 2010-11 provided no relief to CCSF. Actually, the full brunt of the 2009/10 cuts to the “categoricals,” i.e. matriculation, EOPS, DSP&S, etc. will be felt in 2010/11 since the federal recovery act monies that helped offset these cuts are not extended into next year. The College faces a deficit for 2010-11 in the millions.
As reported in our newsletter the District is looking to cut costs in 2010-11, which it has little choice but to try to do. AFT has communicated its priorities to the District: (1) resume salary step increases. To not do so, would be to lower faculty salaries (since the 30 or so retiring faculty are at the top of the salary schedule). (2) Ameliorate the huge hikes in employee health premiums effective July 1, 2010 with the District taking on a greater share of the burden of the increases, which are falling disproportionately on employees. (3) continue to identify non-essential spending which the College may have to do without during this crisis, especially non-instructional assignments. AFT continues to independently analyze the District budget and offer our own perspective on how to address it. (4) The District must find new revenues such as pursuing a parcel tax and securing monies from the CCSF Foundation to help shore up lost State funding.
AFT will communicate with you about this crisis into the summer if necessary and about future actions. We appreciate your continued support in these very difficult times.
Although there will be no swimming classes this summer, AFT has negotiated with the District that faculty members may use the Wellness Center pool when it is open for events during the summer months. At this point, only one event has been scheduled, for the weeks beginning June 14 and June 21. Therefore, the pool will be available to faculty from 8 AM to Noon, Monday through Friday during those two weeks; and one to two lanes, depending upon availability, will be reserved for the faculty. The District has promised to notify AFT promptly if and when other events at the pool are scheduled for the summer. Faculty members need only to present their CCSF photo id to the lifeguard on duty before entering the pool.
Save the date! August 12, 2010
Retirement and financial planning day
On Thursday, August 12, 2010, Independent Flex Day, AFT 2121 will host for all faculty its second “Retirement and Financial Planning Day” on the Ocean Campus. Last year’s event was a big hit with faculty. We hope to make this year’s event bigger and better. Workshops will tentatively include information on CalSTRS, Social Security and Medicare, 403(b), 457, and 529 payroll deduction plans at CCSF, Financial planning for educators, Self-directed IRA’s, Wills and living trusts, Long term care insurance, and HSS Retiree health benefits.
Workshops will be presented in the morning and afternoon. Schedule and registration information will be provided over the summer. In the meantime, mark your calendar!