We close this academic year out with a new contract after more than three years of negotiations. By virtue of our joint efforts and persistence, the contract has significant and well-deserved wage increases, the first since 2007. The retroactive increase for 2012-13 has been distributed, the 2013-14 retro, if not in hand now, should be soon, and the 2014-15 increase is expected in May.

Our contract contains other significant advances. Part time faculty not only got an additional 1% wage increase in the last year of the contract (2015-16) but now have a measure of job security as they do at other local community college campuses with the inclusion of language on rehire rights. The FA also secured part time faculty additional paid office hours for a total of 8 hours per semester.

Increased reassigned time for the FA is another important advance in contract language. Reassigned time, or time conducting the work of the union (grievances, negotiations, communication as well as administrative work) more than doubled from 1.2 to 3.0 FTEs, beginning in the final year of the agreement. This is a significant advance for an independent union like ours. This past year, FA leadershipspent a great deal of time meeting regarding dues payment procedures. Our new contract also contains language detailing a procedure for the District to provide us with faculty lists. Health insurance, which only full time employees enjoy, took a hit. In the last year of the contract the District’s contribution to employee medical insurance is capped at 5% above the current employee premium. The Benefits Committee, a shared governance committee, (Ali Amouzegar, Mary-Erin Crook, Rod Foster and Julie Kiotas) has been meeting in order to limit the impact of any possible increase. The full committee is examining the effects of changes to plan benefits, the plans themselves, or premium structures. Any formal changes will be made through negotiations.

This summer, upon the conclusion of the President-Superintendent’s selection, we will begin negotiations regarding a chair structure. In this matter FA will be represented by President Julie Kiotas, and Directors, Rod Foster and Mary-Erin Crook.

Finally, this year we will say good-bye to dozens of faculty who have ensured the core excellence of our institution for over a quarter century. There is a sense of an ending, of a watershed moment at the college. So many of you have accomplished so much. Faculty have maintained PCC’s greatness against all odds. In spite of the difficulties of recent years, you sustained our robust and dynamic educational programs. You have not only weathered all storms but thrived; it is your professionalism that has brought great integrity to the college.

You have graced us with your presence, and now you are moving on. We will miss you. We wish you the very best in your future endeavors.