Hello Dear Colleagues,
Welcome to spring term! I hope you got some downtime over spring break and are feeling refueled and ready for spring term.
There is so much going on in the world, close to home, as well as, at a national and global scale. Our struggles are interconnected, as are our joys. Working closely with our union has reminded me of that interconnectedness and given me hope and purpose in these difficult times. In addition to being an educator and proud union member and organizer, I am also an artist. I find myself continuously reflecting on the ways that sharing stories and building connections are the bedrock of meaningful lives, thriving community, and collective power. It’s why I teach, why I make art, and also why I organize.
If you’re looking to build deeper connections and solidarity with your colleagues and other workers, there are so many meaningful ways to get involved.
Last month we had a great solidarity social at Hot Lips Pizza with our union colleagues at AFT Oregon. There will be another one coming up soon. Watch your email and our socials for details. It’s so nice to connect and decompress over free pizza.
Our economic reopener contract bargaining is just around the corner. As a matter of fact, the first day of bargaining was scheduled for this Friday!—before management cancelled it, whomp whomp. Watch your email for a new date.
Opportunities to get involved
- In response to learning about the Dear Colleague Letter and PCC’s task force, several of our colleagues gathered to create the FFAP’s DEI Subcommittee. We’ve written a petition to send to Dr. Bennings’ cabinet about the Federal Response Taskforce. Read and sign the petition here. Our sibling union FCE, has also signed onto the petition.
- Join our Contract Action (CAT) team! CAT leaders are a dedicated group of faculty and APs who work to keep everyone informed, connected, and involved in the bargaining process. Pop in to a meeting (below) or learn more and join here.
- Become a Union Steward! Stewards help coworkers solve problems, educate members on their rights, protect members when there is an issue with management and more.
To become a Steward, Contact the Lead Steward who represents your employee class:
PT Faculty: Laura Wadlin laura.wadlin@pccffap.org and Erik Johnsen erik.johnsen
FT Faculty: Yvette Rosales yvette.rosales
APs: Phyllis Petteys phyllis.petteys
CTE: Jacob Richman jacob.richman@pccffap.org
Check out more ways to get involved here: https://pccffap.org/resources/get-involved/
News and Updates
- Contract bargaining over economic issues only begins this month!
Watch your email for the date and make sure to show up, either in person or via zoom to show your solidarity!
- Have you ever wondered why and how health insurance works the way it does at PCC? Check out this great explainer by Michelle DuBarry, FFAP VP for Communications.
- In a few weeks your Federation bargaining team will sit down with the PCC administration to bargain wages and benefits in what we call a “re-opener.” Unlike the full contract negotiation, which happens every four years, the re-opener occurs two years into a contract and involves wages and benefits only. This upcoming re-opener will determine our wages and benefits for September 2025-August 2027. If you haven’t yet, please take 10 minutes to fill out the 2025 Bargaining Survey
Meetings
- Executive Council Meeting
- Friday, April 4, 2-4, Climb, 207 and Zoom
(all PCCFFAP members are welcome to attend and observe. Only elected Executive Council members can vote. If you have something you’d like to be discussed/ added to the agenda, please contact PCCFFAP President Ben Cushing ben.cushing@pccffap.org)
- Friday, April 4, 2-4, Climb, 207 and Zoom
- Contract Action Team (CAT) Meetings
Tuesday, April 1, 12-1:30 Zoom
Wednesday, April 23, 4pm Zoom - Committee Meetings
- Bargaining Advisory Council Meetings
The bargaining advisory councils give space for us to develop shared goals for organizing with our coworkers and bargaining a contract that addresses our issues. Each job class will meet regularly, facilitated by the elected Lead Steward for that group, as well as, the bargaining team member(s) in that group. Any FFAP member is welcome. - FT Faculty Monthly Meeting: Wednesday April 2, 4-5 pm Zoom
- AP Monthly Meeting: Wednesday April 2, 10-11am Zoom
Solidarity (news and upcoming actions)
- PSU AAUP have reached a Tentative Agreement with PSU
After a tense season of bargaining, our colleagues at Portland State AAUP have reached a tentative agreement that includes improved layoff notice and shared governance requirements for non tenure track faculty, a fair COLA and more. Read more about the TA here - UAUO reached an eleventh hour Tentative Agreement with U of O
After many months of bargaining and organizing, in the final hours leading up to a strike, UAUO reached a tentative agreement that includes, among other wins, 12.75% salary increases over three years for almost all classifications. Read more about the TA here
For more information about solidarity and to sign up for the solidarity dispatch contact our solidarity officer Nichole Reding nichole.reding@pccffap.org
Connect with us on socials:
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/pccffap.bsky.social
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_pccffap_/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pccffap/
If you have announcements you’d like shared in our next newsletter, please email me shelley.chamberlin@pccffap.org
Until then, take care of yourselves and take care of each other.
In Solidarity,
Shelley Chamberlin
PCC Art Department Faculty
PCCFFAP Part Time Organizer