Dear PCC Faculty:

It has been nearly two weeks since PERB announced their decision to affirm the PCC Faculty Association’s appeal and invalidate CFT’s decertification efforts.  Since then, I’ve had some time to reflect and also look forward to the future of the FA and PCC faculty.  

What does winning this appeal mean for PCC faculty? It means that the FA can continue fighting to preserve the contractual rights of faculty.  It means that the FA can continue to represent faculty if and when their supervisors take unfair action against them.  Please always remember that the FA REPRESENTS ALL FACULTY, not not just FA members. In fact, many of the faculty behind the failed CFT-takeover have sought union representation and have benefited from FA expertise and support. Why?  Because even they know that the FA champions the rights of faculty before all else; we defend the contract and its terms to protect all faculty.  

Winning this appeal also means that the FA can continue to aggressively pursue grievances when the circumstances demand it.  For instance, last semester, the FA filed a grievance against the District for restricting faculty to a maximum of 60% of online instruction, contrary to the terms of the contract which state that faculty may teach up to 80% online.  After escalating this grievance to Level 3, the FA succeeded!  Over winter break, at the Level 3 grievance hearing with the College President, the FA grievance team made a compelling case.  Shortly before the start of the Spring semester, the District finally agreed to rescind this arbitrary 60% limitation on online instruction and honor the “up to 80%” terms as specified in the contract.  Yes, you heard correctly!  Another win for faculty by your union. 

Let’s not halt the progress that the FA has made.  We may have won the PERB winter intersession lawsuit, but we still have to work out details with the District to make sure faculty affected by the cancellation of winter are justly compensated.  We want to continue addressing faculty concerns with administration.  We are also in the midst of the negotiations process.  CFT supporters may say, “Imagine what we can do in more time. . . in our future contract negotiations,” but remember that the time is NOW, not the future.  The FA has been entrenched in negotiations for a successor contract since this past June, unwilling to settle for less than what our faculty deserve.  Though we have made some gains, we recognize there is much more we want to negotiate to improve on behalf of faculty.  Let’s not stop negotiations now; let the FA continue to bargain on your behalf.   

CFT will try this again. They have nothing to lose and a lot of your hard-earned money to gain.  But, what will the faculty lose in the process?  A union that prioritizes the needs and concerns of PCC faculty, not those of big labor.  Let’s not lose what the FA has built with the support of our membership – a union with institutional knowledge, a proven track record of successful grievances here at PCC, and a strong collective voice.  The Faculty Association is your union.  We are here to serve the faculty, and we do our very best to do so.  It is time to show CFT the door.  Stand up and tell CFT that you are not interested in paying more dues for less support. Stand up for YOUR Faculty Association!

The Faculty Association has already had a huge impact on our campus.  Imagine what we could do with the solidarity of the entire faculty community.  Let’s work together to make the Faculty Association stronger.

This is your union. Stay local. Stay strong. Stay FA!

In solidarity,

Mikage Kuroki

Vice President, PCC Faculty Association