As the end of the semester approaches, I want to reflect on the work of the IFO. First, thank you to the Negotiating Team for their labor and creative efforts to reach a tentative settlement agreement. The Team’s thoughtful considerations involved economics, large amounts of language items, the needs of our diverse constituency groups, and the financial challenges confronting our campuses. Although the salary increases were modest, the amount of language was substantial and intentionally targeted many constituency groups including librarians, counselors, coaches, and faculty with contingent appointments. Many delegate assembly resolutions were fulfilled, or progress was made. In addition, this contract deliberately gave less in salary increase to full-time faculty so that part-time adjunct and community faculty would receive proportionately higher pay increases. For these reasons, this is a very good settlement and I am proud of the voter participation (53%) and that ninety-seven percent of voters supported this contract. The three previous contract votes participation ranged between 42-46%, so thank you to those members who cast your vote and expressed your voice. And, please find time to thank your campus representative on the Negotiating Team.
Voter participation is one indication of the organizing efforts being implemented by the IFO; other indications include the success of our caucus structure. After only a year and a half since the Delegate Assembly adopted this new structure, six of the seven campuses have developed active Faculty of Color Caucuses and all seven campuses have active equity caucuses. These caucuses have appointed representatives to their local FA leadership; every campus has also appointed a representative from the women’s caucus to FA leadership and to the statewide Feminists Issues Committee. The statewide LGBTQ+ issues committee and the statewide Disabilities Advocacy Committee are active and meeting regularly. In addition, professional caucuses related to disciplines have formed including the Library Caucus and the Coaches Caucus; in January, the first meeting of the Counselor’s Caucus will be held, and Nurses are planning a caucus as well. The involvement in caucuses and statewide committees indicates a high level of engagement and represents our commitment to solidarity. The IFO is doing more than we ever have to represent and advocate for our members. Thank you to those who have stepped forward to serve, your work is greatly appreciated.
The IFO recently put out a call for the Statewide Academic Affairs Coordinator position. I’m proud that for the first time in the history of this position we have developed an opportunity for our community and adjunct faculty to serve. If you are interested in serving, I encourage you to review the posting and submit your application materials before the January 10, 2020 deadline.
We have already begun to lay the groundwork for our advocacy efforts with the State Legislature as they prepare for the 2020 Legislative Session. We are going to ask you to contact your legislators as we work to secure a supplemental budget for our campuses, investments in our campus infrastructure, and ratify our contract. Please watch for more details shortly after the New Year.
As we wrap up another semester and begin our preparations for Spring, we want you all to know that your union is working hard on your behalf. We have a strong leadership team, an experienced and highly effective staff, and each day more of our members are getting involved in the important work we’re doing. If you wish to learn more about the opportunities to put your skills to use to help advance our shared values, I encourage you to contact myself, or your local FA leadership.
We appreciate your support, we appreciate your hard work, and we are proud you’re part of our union.
Enjoy your winter break.