OCTOBER 3, 2023

Since July of 2022, the Pasadena City College Faculty Association (PCCFA), an independent union and member of the California Community College Independents (CCCI), has been under attack by some faculty and the California Federation of Teachers (CFT). It is time to shed some light and dispel the misinformation that has been spread by these groups.

The PCCFA has been an independent union since it separated from the California Teachers Association (CTA) in 2007. In the years since the PCCFA separated from that national union, we have been an extremely effective advocacy organization representing and defending working conditions for all faculty at Pasadena City College.

Most recently, the PCCFA closed the current contract, which resulted in a 12% pay raise over two years for all faculty, and included a substantial bonus for eligible full time and part time faculty. Moreover, for the second time, the PCCFA overwhelmingly won a labor complaint against the district that resulted in the return of the winter intersession to PCC, negotiating rights for future calendar issues, and a large back-pay settlement for affected PCC faculty, which is still under negotiation. Additionally, the PCCFA secured benefits for part-time faculty, which has been a 20+ year fight. As well, the PCCFA has increased paid office hours for part-time faculty, and has increased salary steps for non-credit faculty.

CFT supporters falsely claim that the PCCFA “left millions of dollars on the table” in recent negotiations for part-time health insurance benefits. Such claims misrepresent the details of the legislation. Yes, AB 190 provides $200 million annually for part-time faculty health insurance programs, but the legislation does not guarantee that the state will reimburse colleges 100% of the costs, which puts budgets and premiums at risk. According to the funding mechanism of the legislation: “The Chancellor’s Office shall first reimburse all districts that establish a part-time faculty health insurance program up to 50% of the districts’ costs . . . After an initial allocation of up to 50% of costs, any remaining funds will be allocated to districts who meet the criteria for up to 100% reimbursement.” In other words, the PCCFA didn’t leave anything on the table. The PCCFA guaranteed sustainable funding for part-time health insurance benefits. The part-time health insurance plan that PCCFA negotiated is identical to the high-quality Kaiser plan of full-time faculty, with the district paying 80% of the costs. In addition, eligible part-time faculty members may opt out of the insurance plan and instead choose free vision and dental insurance for themselves and their spouses and dependents.

The PCCFA is a democratic organization open to all faculty. Each year half of the board positions are up for election. Any faculty member can run for one of three director positions, secretary, treasurer, and we have designated positions for a full-time Vice President and a part-time Vice President. Interestingly enough, most of the CFT supporters have never run for any of the PCCFA Executive Board positions. In fact, one of the opinion writers for the CFT article published in Pasadena Now was asked to fill in an open board position as an appointee, turning down a seat at the very table allegedly denied, and more importantly, turning down a valuable opportunity to voice the needs and concerns of non-instructional faculty.

The claim that the PCCFA does not utilize basic community organizing practices does not reflect reality. The union regularly holds monthly general and part-time faculty meetings which are open to all Faculty Association members. At those meetings, members have the opportunity to voice concerns, ask questions, and inform the membership of a potential issue. The PCCFA also regularly edits an informative website with articles and information helpful for its members. The PCCFA regularly holds membership drives for new faculty. The union routinely surveys faculty for input on contract issues and priorities. At critical points in dealing with the college, the PCCFA has urged members to participate in collective actions, such as protesting the Administrations COVID policies and in the election of the Board of Trustees. The PCCFA also represents faculty in employment grievances on a daily basis. In addition, on numerous occasions the PCCFA has filed legal challenges in response to the Administration’s policies. The CFT supporters who claim that the PCCFA is not involved in such activities are either ignorant of what the union actually does, or they are misrepresenting the truth. Moreover, CFT supporters who think the PCCFA could be stronger in its activities should offer their leadership skills as a form of collective solidarity in strengthening the union instead of attempting to divide it and eliminate its independence.

The claim that the PCCFA does no state-wide or national legislative lobbying is also incorrect. The PCCFA is member to a larger statewide consortium of independent unions, the California Community College Independents (CCCI), made up of numerous community colleges across the state. These include Santa Monica, Foothill-DeAnza, Santa Barbara, Contra Costa, and Mira Costa, among others. The CCCI has a strong voice in Sacramento with its own dedicated lobbyist. CCCI, too, was instrumental in securing the budget monies for part-time benefits. The PCCFA executive board (and any interested faculty) attend two conferences a year by CCCI that serve exclusively as training and informational sessions for community college union issues; additionally, the member unions regularly collaborate throughout the year.

Finally, the PCCFA is a local, independent union. All dues collected are used exclusively for PCC faculty. The dues structure, bylaws, and constitution are transparent and posted on the FA website and in the FA office. The misinformation by CFT and its supporters is appalling and not fact checked. None of the executive Board of PCCFA has a personal relationship with any administrators or members of the Board of Trustees. This idea is counter intuitive to union work. CFT is a huge corporate union that is only interested in collecting dues for their affiliates. This clearly is a cash grab by a large, national union. Repeatedly, they have been asked what the dues will be with CFT and have yet to reveal a rational number or explain to faculty their tiered system of dues that deemphasizes local advocacy and support.

If some faculty want change, there are logical ways to effect change. Run for the FA Executive Board. Petition for changes the PCC FA By-Laws. Get involved with the FA community and share your leadership and expertise.

Solidarity, not divisiveness, is the cornerstone to a successful union.