Dear friends and colleagues,
As an alumni of CCA (or CCAC), you probably remember at least one of your teachers fondly—one you respected, one who supported your learning, one who helped you get through tough times. In December, CCA sent out a request for donations that did not mention the words “teaching,” “learning,” “instruction,” or “education.” It did not mention the importance of the teaching faculty, how crucial it is for students and teachers to work together.
Something is wrong with this picture.
Two years ago, adjuncts and lecturers, the non-ranked instructors who make up 78% of the teaching faculty, voted to join a union and bargain a respectful contract, one that champions job security, fair wages, and benefits. With their eyes anywhere but on faculty—the core of education at the college—the CCA administration has been resistant to settling that contract.
During Alumni Weekend in November, many of us signed pledge cards to withhold donations of money or in-kind services until the college settles a strong union contract. Others of us signed an open letter that circulated across social media and on the Hyperallergic and Chronicle of Higher Education websites (justiceatcca.org). When the adjunct bargaining team returned to negotiations after these public statements, the college made its most significant agreement regarding job security in two years.
There is further to go, but our voices were heard: “We support our former professors and current colleagues to have a union contract at CCA!”
The non-ranked faculty union wants to use this momentum to finish negotiations by the end of February and it is now looking possible.
You can help. The school relies on your reputation, your volunteer work, your news, and your cash donations. Because the school needs you, you have power. Please use that power to say NO to the administration: pledge to WITHOLD support for CCA until the adjuncts and lecturers receive the fair contract they deserve.
Click here to sign an electronic copy of the pledge card.
In unity and creativity,
Lukaza Branfman-Verissimo (BFA, 2015)
Grace Chen (BFA, 2015)
Irina Contreras (MFA, MA, 2015)
Cassie Thornton (MFA, 2012)
As an alumni of CCA (or CCAC), you probably remember at least one of your teachers fondly—one you respected, one who supported your learning, one who helped you get through tough times. In December, CCA sent out a request for donations that did not mention the words “teaching,” “learning,” “instruction,” or “education.” It did not mention the importance of the teaching faculty, how crucial it is for students and teachers to work together.
Something is wrong with this picture.
Two years ago, adjuncts and lecturers, the non-ranked instructors who make up 78% of the teaching faculty, voted to join a union and bargain a respectful contract, one that champions job security, fair wages, and benefits. With their eyes anywhere but on faculty—the core of education at the college—the CCA administration has been resistant to settling that contract.
During Alumni Weekend in November, many of us signed pledge cards to withhold donations of money or in-kind services until the college settles a strong union contract. Others of us signed an open letter that circulated across social media and on the Hyperallergic and Chronicle of Higher Education websites (justiceatcca.org). When the adjunct bargaining team returned to negotiations after these public statements, the college made its most significant agreement regarding job security in two years.
There is further to go, but our voices were heard: “We support our former professors and current colleagues to have a union contract at CCA!”
The non-ranked faculty union wants to use this momentum to finish negotiations by the end of February and it is now looking possible.
You can help. The school relies on your reputation, your volunteer work, your news, and your cash donations. Because the school needs you, you have power. Please use that power to say NO to the administration: pledge to WITHOLD support for CCA until the adjuncts and lecturers receive the fair contract they deserve.
Click here to sign an electronic copy of the pledge card.
In unity and creativity,
Lukaza Branfman-Verissimo (BFA, 2015)
Grace Chen (BFA, 2015)
Irina Contreras (MFA, MA, 2015)
Cassie Thornton (MFA, 2012)