Real News September 2019

September 2019

www.AFT1521.org

President's Message

Bargaining... Benefits... Back to School!

Welcome to the 2019-2020 academic year, especially to those of you who are joining our ranks as new full-time or part-time faculty members. We in the Guild know that your experience working in the LACCD will be memorable. The Guild, through our campus chapter presidents and grievance reps, stands ready to answer any questions you have about wages, hours, and working conditions. Be sure that you familiarize yourself with our Collective Bargaining Agreement . In addition, new adjunct faculty should review the Adjunct Survival Guide .

In Solidarity,

Joanne Waddell

AFT 1521 President

Camille Goulet - In the Trenches with Asylum Seekers

Every summer for the past three years, Guild member Camille Goulet, a faculty member at Los Angeles City College, participates in the Dilley Pro Bono Project, joining other volunteers for a one-week stint at an immigration detention center in Dilley, Texas, the largest such facility in the U.S., holding up to 2,000 people.

“It’s a collaborative effort to provide assistance to asylum seekers,” says Goulet, who teaches law, including the ABA paralegal program, a pathway to Law School Program, and “Street Law.” She is also LACC’s Title IX Coordinator - a job the former General Counsel for the LACCD is well-suited for - and advisor to the IDEAS club - the undocumented student club.

Governor Newsom at ELAC for College Promise Expansion Announcement

A kick-off event was held on August 29th at East L.A. College for the California College Promise – two years of tuition-free education for California Community College students. California Governor Gavin Newsom was on hand to announce the expansion of the program from one year to two. Thanks to Assemblymember and former LACCD Trustee Miguel Santiago, author of the bill!

Meet Mission College Grievance Rep Jake Gelson

The terrain between Florida and California is starkly different, and not just because of the Sunshine State’s humidity.

Just ask Jake Gelson, an ESL teacher and the new grievance rep at L.A. Mission College. Gelson was raised and educated in Floirda. Having been a union advocate on both coasts, Gelson has noticed a vastly different climate since relocating to California.

Health Benefits Reminder

Remember that Open Enrollment for Health Benefits closes on October 4. If you are enrolled in a health plan and are not making any changes, you don’t need to take any action. Your existing benefits will be in effect for the 2020 calendar year. If you do want to make changes, log into the District portal before the deadline.

RSVP for the Guild’s Health & Financial Awareness Conference on September 27 if you want to attend and get more information on options.

District Health Fairs are also being held on the campuses. Find one here.

Guild Conference to Help Faculty Plan for a Secure Financial Future

Register now for the Faculty Guild's Benefits & Financial Awareness Conference at the Sheraton Universal Hotel on Friday, September 27.

Breakfast and registration begin at 7:30 am, with conference sessions and workshops continuing until 2:30 pm. Breakfast and lunch will be provided for registered guests only.

Whether you’re newly hired, retired, or somewhere in between, this day is for you! The event is open to all AFT 1521 members (full-time and part-time). Learn about our union-negotiated healthcare options and how your retirement is calculated so you can make wise decisions for your financial future.

Representatives from LACCD Health Benefits, CalSTRS, Social Security, and others will be conducting workshops throughout the day.

This conference is AFT 1521 members. If you’re not sure whether you are an AFT 1521 member, contact Reyna Gonzalez at 323-851-1521.

Motions Passed

Motion Passed by the Guild at Executive Board Meeting July 16, 2019

Approved the Community Support and Engagement Committee Proposal, which explains the reorganization and name change of the Guild’s Good & Welfare Committee

Motion Passed by the Guild at Executive Board Meeting August 21, 2019

Approved the Community Support and Engagement Committee budget of $46,500.

Negotiations Team

The negotiations team represents the many constituencies in our faculty ranks. The 2020-2023 Negotiations team includes:

Chief Negotiators: Bill Elarton-Selig and Mindy Chen

Joanne Waddell

Sharon Hendricks

College Representatives:

City – Christine Park

East – Michelle Benjamin

Harbor – Mario Valadez

Mission – Vilma Bernal

Pierce – Brian Walsh

Southwest – Jeff Bohn

Trade – Joseph Guerrieri

Valley – Ruby Christian-Brougham

West – Tim Russell

Chief Grievance Officer Darrell Eckersley

Adjunct Representatives: Ken Taira (West) and Picolya Robinson (Southwest)

Academic Senate – Lourdes Brent (Trade)

AFT 1521

3356 Barham Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90068

323-851-1521

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