By Teri Bernstein

Under the polite heading of "misrepresentation," but as part of a general pattern of "Failure to Bargain in Good Faith", the Administration has been sending out incorrect information directly to faculty members, under the heading of "Negotiations Updates." Both Piedad Robertson and Robert Sammis have written documents that contain falsifications, and state positions that are OPPOSITE to the positions presented at the bargaining table. Eventually, the Faculty Association will probably prevail in the Unfair charges...but the PERB decision will come too late to undo the damage caused in these negotiations. (Note: PERB in Massachusetts decided in favor of the union when similar charges were filed against Piedad Robertson while she was Education czar there-but the decision came out after she'd already been hired by SMC.)

We have informed the District of their misrepresentations, hoping they would print retractions. After the second update, we also asked them not to write any more updates. Rather than do the decent, human thing and correct their mistakes, they have persisted in making errors and persisted in causing harm.
In an effort to clear up some of the misunderstandings:

Department Chair Negotiations: In two publications, the District referred to a "negotiation session" on Department Chairs held Oct 20. This was NOT a negotiation. It was a "brainstorming session" which was requested by the District. Very clearly, at the start of this meeting, we made it very clear that it was NOT a negotiation session, and that NOTHING said was to be construed as a negotiation. Kathy Shamey and Randy Lawson were both present at this meeting, as "professional experts," brought in to answer questions and provide a balanced perspective on historical issues.

We on the Negotiating Team are very grateful to Kathy for her presence at this meeting, and for the clear way she responded to questions. This meeting was called with less than 24 hours notice, and if she hadn't been there, there would have been no one who could have provided as calm and collected a balance to the perspective that Randy offered.

Dr. Robertson's statements about Kathy's participation in this meeting were a complete misrepresentation of Kathy's role, and generated misunderstandings among many faculty.

Department Chairs compensation was also misrepresented in the District's memo--please read our discussion of this issue in the article beginning on page one.

District memos also presented a willingness to pursue two issues which had been rejected repeatedly at the bargaining table: part-time office hours and domestic partner health benefits. We are optimistic, but still waiting for proposals from the District on these important issues.

The latest memo, from Tom Donner, is the most insidious. He quotes AB1725 as though it applies to the 50% law. WORSE, the District threatens to punish Counselors, Librarians and those on reassigned time, and put the blame on us!

Counselors and other faculty ARE NOT the problem!

The unbridled creation of new Administrative and consulting positions (many of which have been filled by Friends of Piedad) is the multi-million dollar problem!