Welcome back to the Spring 2020 semester! We expect it to be a busy one for the Guild, with our internal election, negotiations, AFT National Convention, March 3rd primaries, and the November 2020 election.
As we enter a new year and a new decade, along with its many opportunities for growth and success, we anticipate the reality of having to face toxic new threats.
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In Solidarity,
Joanne Waddell
AFT 1521 President
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Meet Organizing Director Chase Golding
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Local 1521’s new organizing director has covered a lot of ground, figuratively and literally.
In a career that has included stops in Minnesota, Colorado, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Sacramento -- and now LA again -- Chase Golding has worn many hats.
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Guild Bargaining Team at Work
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Guild Pursuing Grievances Against LACCD Chancellor
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Faculty Guild chapters are proceeding with grievances filed since June against seven District colleges and LACCD Chancellor Francisco Rodriguez. An eighth college (Mission) will also be filing a grievance. Concerned about the negative consequences of the elimination of most remedial courses in English and math, the Guild contends that the Chancellor failed to consult with faculty before issuing his directive to the colleges to cancel all remedial courses in math and English two or more levels below transfer. The Guild is asking him to rescind his directive and for college administrators (some of whom went further and cut classes just one level below transfer level) to restore the cancelled courses. The Academic Senate has also requested that the Chancellor reverse his decision. Many faculty members in these disciplines throughout the District share these concerns, particularly since data now show that eviscerating remedial courses has not improved student success.
The District contends that the grievances are not arbitrable. In a December meeting with 18 Guild representatives, including chapter presidents, grievance reps, as well as math and English instructors, the union’s attorney explained that if the District continues to refuse to arbitrate, the Guild plans to file a petition in Superior Court to compel arbitration
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New President Selected for Trade Tech
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Katrina VanderWoude, former president of Contra Costa College, has been selected to be Trade Tech’s new college president. The selection was made after a search that took several months and included campus town hall meetings. Trustees approved the selection on January 8 and she is scheduled to take her position on February 24.
“After a challenging period of transition, the faculty at Trade Tech are eager to move forward as we continue to put our students first,” said Joseph Guerrieri, the college’s Chapter President. “We expect the new college president and administrative leadership to support the faculty in our efforts to promote student success and to continue Trade Tech’s strong tradition of transforming students’ lives.”
VanderWoude has over 20 years of administrative experience, with a focus on academic affairs, career and technical education and workforce development. Before working at Contra Costa College, she was VP of Academic Affairs at Grossmont College in El Cajon and Vice Provost at Rochester College in Michigan. She graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in social work and psychology and earned a doctorate in educational leadership from Eastern Michigan University.
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Help Students While Staying Fit!
Put on your walking or running shoes and join your LACCD colleagues in an event to help raise money for our neediest students. For the third year, the District will be participating in the Big 5K events on
Saturday, March 7
and the LA Marathon and Charity Half Marathon on
Sunday, March 8
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“This is a fundraiser to help our hungry and homeless students while encouraging our entire district community to get fit for a worthwhile event,” said Katrelia Walker, LACCD Total Wellness Program Manager.
Register for Team LACCD by clicking on any of the links below for the fundraising campaign of your choice for Stride4Life’s “We Run for Homeless Students”
By registering for one or more of these events, you are agreeing to fundraise for the Stride4Life’s campaign “We Run for Homeless Students.”
In addition, several trainings are taking place each week until Saturday, February 29th
(see schedule below)
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Fitness Training
by Coach Mike of Providence Health & Services
Saturdays 9 am – Noon --
West LA College
Marathon Training
by Legacy Runner, May Dubois
Mondays 6 – 9 pm --
LA Southwest College
Running Camp
by Nike
Wednesdays 6-9 pm --
LA City College
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Motions Passed by the Guild at the Executive Board Meeting on November, 19 2019
Approved the minutes of October 15, 2019
Approved the COPE report
Agreed to move $1million from the General Fund to the COPE Fund for the LACCD Board of Trustees Election
Accepted corrections on the COPE report regarding LA County Federation of Labor Endorsements
Approved a recommendation that we urge the Board of Trustees to remove college debt
Approved the 2020 Guild Internal Election timeline
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Services from Union Plus
Union Plus now offers a program for union families in need of legal assistance. Whether you need legal advice or just have a question of a legal nature, you can find legal advice at an affordable price.
Union members have free access to basic legal services and can upgrade to a higher level of legal service at a discounted price.
In addition, Union Plus offers many services, ranging from auto purchasing, pet insurance, mortgage financing, scholarships, and travel and entertainment discounts.
Learn more
here
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