The FA would like to thank all faculty for their incredible support over the last couple of weeks. We raised our voices by writing letters to trustees, political representatives and the press.  We demonstrated in front of the campus, and many of us continued to teach remotely.  Our collective voices and actions (and the predicted and continuing decline in the Omicron surge) have made PCC a safer place for teaching and learning. Because of this support, the FA and the district were able to come to agreement on several key points regarding the Spring Supplemental MOU.  

All faculty who teach face-to-face are expected to return to campus to teach their regular schedule beginning Monday, February 7. 

Masking: 

The district will provide N95, KN95 or surgical grade masks for faculty.  Fittings for N95 masks will be provided by the district. 

Testing:  

Mandatory testing of faculty will continue throughout the spring semester and for which they will be compensated at $75.00 per week.  

Notifications:  

When a positive COVID case is confirmed, whether student, staff, or faculty member, the Faculty Association Board and the campus community shall be notified of the date, time, and location of the case and any other information required by CAL-OSHA via e-mail.  

Updates: 

The district will provide weekly COVID data on the PCC dashboard. 

Remote assignments: 

Faculty, both instructional and non-instructional, may be temporarily assigned to perform their duties remotely if they have tested positive for COVID-19 and are asymptomatic, or if they are caring for an immediate household member who has tested positive for COVID-19. Faculty must report and provide documentation to their supervising dean and the PCC COVID Support Team.  

Boosters: 

All eligible faculty shall be required to receive boosters by May 8, 2022. Faculty will receive $500 for submitting proof of receiving the booster by May 8, 2022.

The greatest sticking point in negotiations was discipline against those faculty who worked remotely. The district’s tactics relied in part upon threats – messages from deans to 15-day suspensions.  In the end, the district’s greatest concern was not safety but discipline.  A letter of counseling will be issued. 

All faculty – instructional and non-instructional – full-time and adjunct -who have remained remote from January 24, 2022 through February 6, 2022 due to safety concerns shall be issued a letter of counseling outlining the contract expectations and violations. This letter will not be a part of the unit member’s personnel file or be used as any part of the unit member’s evaluation and will be destroyed by the Faculty Association by December 23, 2022 provided no insubordination occurs within the stated time period. 

Though this agreement is not perfect, the FA believes that these safeguards combined with the steadily declining transmission rates in LA County provide for a safer and transparent working environment. And, the FA knows those improvements are a direct result of our collective call for safe working and learning conditions. 

If you have any concerns or are contacted by any district supervisor, including deans, contact Suzanne Anderson or Mikage Kuroki at facultyassociation@gmail.com.