We’ve gotten a lot of questions about the resignation of Vincent Blanco, FFAP’s Labor Relations Specialist, so we wanted to share some details about our transition before we get into the bargaining update. After Vincent resigned, the bargaining team appointed Emiliano Vega as the lead spokesperson for the FFAP team. Frank Goulard will serve as a backup, but any member of our bargaining team is fully capable of stepping into this role, which is largely logistical—it involves setting up meetings and agendas, and clarifying details on proposals in between meetings.
The team also continues to benefit from the support of Rob Glase, Field Representative from AFT-Oregon, who joins our team at the table and is a seasoned labor negotiations expert. We receive behind-the-scenes support from labor lawyer Mike Tedesco, who has been advising FFAP and AFT-Oregon for many years. We also have a lawyer on the bargaining team—Aubrey Baldwin is an environmental litigation attorney and clinical law professor—and even though she likes to remind us she is not serving FFAP in that role, we do rely on her strategic expertise and ability to decode legalese from administration.
The FFAP Executive Council will share more about our plan for filling the Labor Relations Specialist position in the coming weeks, but please reach out if you have immediate concerns.
Now for the bargaining update!
Last Friday, the bargaining team shared two proposals with administration. They focused on AP and CTE issues—see the Issue tracker to read the bargaining team’s initial proposals.
When talking about the importance of allowing the AP leave bank to be used for caregiving, Michelle DuBarry shared a moving and heartbreaking member story about AP Marlo Urbina, who relies on the leave bank to be able to care for her terminally ill daughter. We are grateful to Marlo and other members who are willing to share their stories—they illustrate the urgent and real-world need for a strong contract.
Overall, it was a good conversation and now it is the administration’s turn to present proposals and counter proposals to us. The administration team mentioned having seen the bargaining platform signs all over the campuses–this is great because we know that they are paying attention to our union visibility. Let’s keep up the visibility by wearing union swag on #RisingTideTuesdays!
Thanks to all our observers—administration knows you are watching and it helps!
You can watch Emiliano Vega’s quick recap video here.