Negotiations are finally moving into substantive issues listed in the previous update, and as expected the conversations are getting tougher.
We expect to TA on Grievance Procedures at the next meeting on April 22. This article outlines a systematic and transparent process for conducting faculty, union, and college grievances when any party has reason to believe the terms of the Agreement have been violated.
On April 15 the administration presented a multi-article counterproposal addressing for the first time Job Descriptions, Classifications, Appointments, and Evaluations. Unfortunately, this counterproposal essentially reiterated the status quo, and did not address the core goals of unranked faculty which the union bargaining team has laid out on numerous occasions: in the proposal submitted to the administration in August 2015 and in extensive conversations held at the administration’s request, most recently at the bargaining session on April 8. We told the administration’s team that we would counter on several minor items in their proposal but otherwise could not present a comprehensive counterproposal until they make a good faith effort to respond to the core goals. These are as follows:
• 1-3 year teaching contracts
• Predictable course loads
• A transparent course assignment process defined in written guidelines
• Job continuity
• Promotional opportunities tied to seniority and job performance
• Performance reviews that are developmental and not punitive
• Adverse administrative actions and failure to meet the above terms are subject to the grievance procedure
These goals have been accomplished and formalized in adjunct faculty contracts recently achieved at Mills College (http://www.seiu1021.org/2016/03/21/mills-adjunct-professors-win-first-ever-contract-includes-best-in-the-nation-job-protections/) and Dominican University (http://www.seiu1021.org/2016/04/15/historic-first-contract-for-dominican-university-adjunct-faculty/). We see no reason for CCA to exclude itself from the momentum building in favor of dignity for adjunct labor and to remain on the wrong side of social justice.
Please stay tuned for more updates and calls for support. Your involvement has consistently made a difference in the negotiations – without your letters and participation in various actions, we would not be where we are today!
To read previous updates please see other posts on this forum.
In solidarity and thanks,
Your Bargaining Team:
Hugh Behm-Steinberg (Senior Adjunct Professor, MFA Writing and Writing & Literature)
Alisa Golden (Senior Adjunct Professor, Printmaking)
Rob Hugel (Senior Adjunct Professor, Graphic Design)
David Skolnick (Senior Lecturer, Writing & Literature)
Noga Wizansky (Senior Lecturer, Visual Studies)
We expect to TA on Grievance Procedures at the next meeting on April 22. This article outlines a systematic and transparent process for conducting faculty, union, and college grievances when any party has reason to believe the terms of the Agreement have been violated.
On April 15 the administration presented a multi-article counterproposal addressing for the first time Job Descriptions, Classifications, Appointments, and Evaluations. Unfortunately, this counterproposal essentially reiterated the status quo, and did not address the core goals of unranked faculty which the union bargaining team has laid out on numerous occasions: in the proposal submitted to the administration in August 2015 and in extensive conversations held at the administration’s request, most recently at the bargaining session on April 8. We told the administration’s team that we would counter on several minor items in their proposal but otherwise could not present a comprehensive counterproposal until they make a good faith effort to respond to the core goals. These are as follows:
• 1-3 year teaching contracts
• Predictable course loads
• A transparent course assignment process defined in written guidelines
• Job continuity
• Promotional opportunities tied to seniority and job performance
• Performance reviews that are developmental and not punitive
• Adverse administrative actions and failure to meet the above terms are subject to the grievance procedure
These goals have been accomplished and formalized in adjunct faculty contracts recently achieved at Mills College (http://www.seiu1021.org/2016/03/21/mills-adjunct-professors-win-first-ever-contract-includes-best-in-the-nation-job-protections/) and Dominican University (http://www.seiu1021.org/2016/04/15/historic-first-contract-for-dominican-university-adjunct-faculty/). We see no reason for CCA to exclude itself from the momentum building in favor of dignity for adjunct labor and to remain on the wrong side of social justice.
Please stay tuned for more updates and calls for support. Your involvement has consistently made a difference in the negotiations – without your letters and participation in various actions, we would not be where we are today!
To read previous updates please see other posts on this forum.
In solidarity and thanks,
Your Bargaining Team:
Hugh Behm-Steinberg (Senior Adjunct Professor, MFA Writing and Writing & Literature)
Alisa Golden (Senior Adjunct Professor, Printmaking)
Rob Hugel (Senior Adjunct Professor, Graphic Design)
David Skolnick (Senior Lecturer, Writing & Literature)
Noga Wizansky (Senior Lecturer, Visual Studies)