Dear Colleagues,
It’s March; can you believe it? I am so grateful to see spring beginning to peek around the corner. I am grateful too, for how hard we are all working in these challenging times to care for our students and colleagues and community members. I feel so much pride in our union and in the work we all do together.
Our contract reopener is just around the corner now. Bargaining begins next month. We encourage you to show up to the first day of bargaining and bring your colleagues. Let’s show up and show out!! More details to come!
This round of bargaining is an economic reopener, which means we are renegotiating wages and benefits. Have you noticed the college’s messaging about the state of our finances? If you’ve been at PCC for a while, you know we’ve heard this all before. Here are the facts:
- The number of managers at PCC has TRIPLED since 2000
- Enrollment is trending UP
- PCC’s rainy day fund has DOUBLED since 2019
- PCC has increased spending on management salaries by 88% since 2013
Budgets are moral documents. Instead of cutting vital services, programs, and classes, it’s time to CHOP FROM THE TOP.
We are tired of management making decisions for us that do not reflect deep and meaningful knowledge of the work we do and the people we serve. We need a real vote in these decisions, not just a “voice”. All of our community members, including students, faculty and staff deserve the opportunity for meaningful participation in the guidance of our shared public institution.
Please join your colleagues for a meeting with PCC President, Dr Bennings to fight for Shared Governance
Friday, March 14, 10-11am, SY TCB 217
Let’s pack the room and wear blue!
News and Updates
Last month, Management gave four valued FFAP members layoff notices. We are deeply disappointed in management’s shortsightedness. Moreover, we think these layoffs are a violation of the contract. We’ll have more to say about that later this week so watch your inboxes.
Events
- Solidarity Social
- Friday March 7, 6pm at Hot Lips Pizza
- Join your union siblings for a slice and great conversation! Pizza on FFAP! Drinks available for purchase. Pack the room and wear blue!
- Shared Governance Meeting: Friday, March 14, 10-11am, SY TCB 217
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 Meeting: Friday, March 7 12pm-Zoom 5pm-Hot Lips on SE Hawthorne (Pizza provided, drinks available for purchase). Stay for the solidarity social rights after!
- CTE Meeting: Wednesday, March 12 1:30-2:30pm Zoom
- Executive Council Meeting: March 7, 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)
- Committee Meetings
Solidarity (News and upcoming actions)
- PCC management’s attempt at strikebreaking and PCCFFAP’s solidarity with Oregon Nurses Association made the news
- After a historic 46 day Strike against Providence, Oregon Nurses Association won and ratified a new contract with some major wins like:
- Major Wage Increases: Nurses will receive substantial wage increases ranging from 20% to 42% over the life of the contract, with an immediate 16% to 22% raise upon ratification.
- Improved workloads
- Unified Contracts for Stronger Solidarity: An overwhelming majority of contracts (10 bargaining units) now align with expiration or wage reopener dates within three months of each other; strengthening ONA’s collective voice
- See all the details here
For more information about solidarity and to sign up for the Solidarity Dispatch contact our solidarity officer Nichole Reding nichole.reding@pccffap.org
Opportunities to get more involved
- 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:
Laura Wadlin
Lead Steward-PT Faculty
Erik Johnsen
Lead Steward-PT Faculty
Yvette Rosales
Lead Steward-FT Faculty
Phyllis Petteys
Lead Steward-APs
Jacob Richman
Lead Steward-CTE
Become a CAT!
- Our new contract campaign is just around the corner. You can join us on the Contract Action Team. CAT leaders are a dedicated group of faculty and APs who work to keep everyone informed, connected, and involved in the bargaining process so that we can win the best possible union contract. Learn more and sign up to join the CAT here.
Check out more ways to get involved here:pccffap.org/resources/get-involved/ 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