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April 2008, Volume 22, Issue 2 - Notes from the Part-time Chair |
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By Becky Curtis
PARITY: Greetings Part-time Faculty. In the recent contract, the district agreed to define parity at 100% -- and they also agreed to back it up. This is unprecedented progress, and sets a new standard and goal for parity in the fu-ture.
Part-timers will see an incremental move-ment in the salary schedule over the next three years from the current 70% up to 81.25% (for load factor one assignments) by 2010, a 16% increase over the next three years, on top of the faculty-wide increases just negotiated. With that increase comes an obligation for of-fice hours during the third year, at the rate of 10 minutes per weekly unit taught – an amount most of us routinely give right now for free.
And whom do we have to thank for all of this? Many people, actually, but lets start by thanking our Chief Negotiator Mitra Moassessi who is ubiquitous and brilliant. And many thanks to our FA President Lantz Simpson who made Part-time goals a priority and has fought for them for decades.
We also have some very talented Part-timers: Kym McBride on the Negotiating Team, Jackie Scott, on the Negotiating Coun-cil, and let’s not forget Melissa Michelson’s contribution to the last negotiating council. And lastly, let’s not forget the SMCFA PAC. which helped us elect a truly enlightened and progressive Board of Trustees.
PT HANDBOOK: Those Part-time lead-ership stories will soon be available in the new Spring edition of the Part-time Faculty Hand-book, which should be available after Spring Break. There is also a new article about Parity from Martin Goldstein, up-dates on salary and benefits, and information concerning the up-coming CPFA Conference. Please stop by the FA office if you would like a copy, or check with your Chair – or email me and I’ll put one in campus mail for you!
FACCC ELECTIONS: The Part-time Chair and Part-time Committee strongly en-dorse Dennis Frisch for FACCC Vice-President. Dennis has been a champion for part-time equity. We also strongly endorse Mitra Moassessi who is running for FACCC Board. We need their voice at the State level on our behalf, and we encourage everyone to vote – please vote in the FACCC election. Your vote can and will make a difference. So many part-timers ask – What can I do? Well, you can vote!
CPFA CONFERENCE: The California Part-time Faculty Association will hold its 10th Annual CPFA Conference here at SMC Sat-urday May 3, 2008. We are honored that As-semblywoman Julia Brownley will be the Guest Speaker, along with SMC Trustee Susan Aminoff, and LACCD Trustee Mona Field.
The FA will pay registration for SMC Part-timers. Saturday events include a Conti-nental breakfast, a buffet luncheon, and din-ner refreshments. Also that day will be multi-ple Panels on the present and future of part-time faculty employment in the California Community Colleges. What’s the future look like? Don’t guess – come and find out.
Clear your calendars. We need your par-ticipation. This is a great cause, it is your cause, and we need you to make a differ-ence. Meet with other Part-time faculty, net-work, eat and drink and have a good time. And it’s free. See you there.
In Memoriam
We mourn the passing of our Part-time colleague Richard Mednick, Part-time Law Instructor in the Business Department and re-tired judge. Richard was a part of our part-time team, and he will be missed. Rest in Peace.
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