The District contacted the FA Friday evening for a Saturday3:30pm meeting to return to the negotiation table. On Friday and again on Saturday,the District presented a proposal that did not even address the main concern of over 80% of polled faculty: a safe return date for Spring 2022. This refusal to negotiate the Spring 2022 return date clearly demonstrates the District’s lack of concern for faculty and student safety. The FA reminded the District that Friday’s negotiations ended because they had refused to negotiate the return date, stating it was “non-negotiable.” Again, the District provided no justification for rushing back to in-person classes in the midst of the largest COVID surge in history. We are appalled at the District’s continued callous and illegal disregard for the health and safety of faculty and students.

The FA will be filing an Unfair Labor Practice charge against the District for refusing to negotiate  over remote instruction in view of safety issues affecting faculty and students alike.Based on LA County COVID-19 new cases reported Saturday (39K cases), deaths (72), and hospitalization rates, the FA continues to affirm that it is not safe at this time to return to campus. We strongly encourage all PCC faculty to support our efforts to achieve safe conditions for students and faculty alike, and let the District know what form of instruction you want, and why. In light of the District’s continued failure to negotiate in good faith with the FA, and to agree to    the minimum conditions for safe instruction, we believe faculty have compelling reasons to continue to provide education to their students remotely.

• While we look forward to a safe return to campus, the FA recommends that all Faculty who   are concerned for their health and safety because of the current COVID surge in LA County should inform the District of their conviction that they should, for safety reasons,continue conducting their courses remotely, off-campus, during their scheduled days and times.

Be sure to notify your students of your intention to conduct the class in a remote, synchronous format and assure them that you’re available during scheduled class time and office hours for learning as usual.

After consulting with our attorneys, we have been assured that faculty who continue to advocate carrying out their instructional duties remotely cannot be punished for insisting on their right to safe workplace conditions. The FA will support all faculty    should the District decide to take unwarranted disciplinary actions against any faculty member for exercising their rights to express their demands.

If you’re concerned about possible disciplinary actions from the District, please be advised first of your Weingarten Rights. You have the right to have an FA Representative present at disciplinary meetings. You have a right to end meetings until an FA Representative can be present with you.

PCC works because WE do; the success of education at PCC depends on us, the faculty. If we remain united in protecting ourselves and our students,we will prevail.