President's Update

By Mary Gross, FA President

Your FA Negotiating Team- Mary, dara, Annie, and Billy- have continued non-stop negotiations with the District every Wednesday. The FA has presented eleven proposals and the District six. We expect only two more proposals- both by the FA- to be presented in March. Currently, we have reached Tentative Agreements on eleven items and are very close to finalizing another four.

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Your Negotiating Team has continued to utilize feedback from research conducted over the summer, the fall All Faculty Negotiation Survey results, as well as feedback from FA Council as we prioritize issues and interests, think creatively and work collaboratively to make the gains we desire, lessen to the extent possible impacts resulting from concessions, and focus on a comprehensive agreement that benefits all faculty. While it is critical that specifics of proposals and tentative agreements remain confidential among the FA and District’s negotiating teams until we have a comprehensive agreement, know that your FA team prioritizes strategic thinking and problem solving, good will, and integrity at the table knowing we represent the interests of 210 diverse and unique individuals.

With the return on February 10 of Hayley Schwartkopf as VP HR, we have had a seamless transition as Charlie Ng retired February 21 thus allowing for a two-week overlap during which time Hayley got up to speed on the negotiations and participated in two sessions before Charlie’s departure. We are on track to conclude negotiations and present a comprehensive Tentative Agreement to the Full-Time Faculty in May with voting for ratification to conclude before Commencement.

Please mark your calendars now for Friday, May 9 from 12:00-2:00 p.m. in person for our FA Education Luncheon where we will present the details of the Comprehensive Tentative Agreement. We, of course, will send an email with all the details after the event to all faculty, but hearing in person will be a great option. Your Negotiating Team is also holding the following Monday, May 12 from 3-5 via Zoom for a Q&A related to the agreement.

We appreciate your support and look forward to presenting the results of our efforts in May. Enjoy a well-deserved Spring Break!

Mary

FA President