Guild’s Mantra for Reopening -- “Safety First”!
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As we consider ways to allow our students to complete classes that were interrupted in the spring, there’s nothing more important than the safety of faculty, staff, and students.
The Guild has met with District representatives to begin determining the criteria for a safe completion of hands-on, hard-to-convert classes. By completing these courses, students will fulfill their goals of transfer or obtaining a degree or certificate. In discussions, we have emphasized the need for enhanced PPE, criteria for exemptions, approval by instructors, and no penalty for instructors who still don’t feel safe returning to campus.
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In Unity,
Joanne Waddell
AFT 1521 President
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S.C.A.L.E-ing the Summit to Build Faculty Power
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The Faculty Guild summit on July 7, Strategic Change: Activating Leaders in Education (S.C.A.L.E.
), drew 108 faculty members, who gathered virtually to reflect on the union’s leadership efforts and to make plans to increase organizational capacity to achieve the mission of the Guild.
Attendees were inspired by keynote speakers who share our union’s vision for justice and equity. They included Pastor Eddie Anderson, co-chair of the new Poor People’s Campaign (pictured above), California State Senator Maria Elena Durazo and UTLA President Cecily Myart-Cruz.
Faculty participated in small group sessions to discuss our values, goals and roles in shaping the LACCD and our teaching profession as well as ways to develop community/student partnerships and build our political strength. Speakers emphasized the importance of passing Schools & Communities First on the November ballot, which would provide $12 billion to schools.
Political Director Natalina Monteiro urged members to work hard to pass Proposition 15 and 16 and to elect Guild-endorsed candidate Nichelle Henderson, who is running for the Board of Trustees seat currently held by Scott Svonkin.
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An Insider's Take on Contract Negotiations
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During the entire process of bargaining for a new three-year contract (“the heart and soul of our union,” as some call it), AFT 1521 faculty have been informed and engaged, with hundreds observing the sessions on Zoom. We spoke to one of our chief negotiators, Guild Secretary Mindy Chen, about the negotiating process.
Q: What have some of the challenges been?
A: We’re dealing with some uncertainties, especially due to the situation with COVID. We’ve made some progress, but perhaps not as fast as some had hoped for. It’s frustrating that we’ve had to delay some sessions due to the pandemic.
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Calbright College Campaign Yields Results
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In what AFT 1521 organizers are calling a “partial win,” Calbright College will see a portion of its budget slashed in the upcoming state budget. The college will lose $5 million in ongoing funds as well as $40 million from $117 million in unspent funds that
it had previously received from the state in one-time funding.
Guild members had joined with California Federation of Teachers (CFT) as well as other community college districts to call for a complete defunding of the state’s online college, labeling Calbright an overbudgeted and failed project. Detractors argues that the earmarked funds should more logically be applied to faculty, students, and services in public community college districts, such as the LACCD.
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Board of Trustees Endorsements
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With an exciting and challenging election season on the horizon, AFT Local 1521 has approved its endorsements for the Los Angeles Community College District’s Board of Trustees in the upcoming November election.
At a specially convened meeting of the Guild’s Executive Board, the board voted to endorse David Vela for Seat #3 and Mike Fong for Seat #7. The EBoard previously endorsed Board President Andrea Hoffman, who is running for reelection for seat #1, and Nichelle Henderson who is looking to unseat Scott Svonkin for Seat #5.
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Who was that Masked Man at Harbor College?
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Local 1521 Harbor College Chapter President Mario Valadez (pictured above) lent a hand at the Labor Community Services/LA Fed food distribution event at the Harbor Sports Complex at Harbor College in April. The event helped feed more than 3,000 families.
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In November Vote Yes on Propositions 15 and 16!
AFT 1521 urges you to vote for two important ballot measures in November – one that will boost greatly-needed funding for education and the other that provides for affirmative action.
Proposition 15 will place a tax on commercial and industrial properties, based on their market value, which will be spent for education and local government initiatives.
Here’s why these are important to those of us in the field of education.
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Motions Passed at the Special July 14 Executive Board Meeting
To accept the COPE recommendation to endorse David Vela for Seat #3 of the LACCD Board of Trustees in the November 3, 2020 election.
To accept the COPE recommendation to endorse Mike Fong for Seat #7 of the LACCD Board of Trustees in the November 3, 2020 election.
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