How one local union won 100% pay parity

Equal pay for equal work. It’s a simple idea, but one that has remained all but elusive for part-time faculty. However, recent gains show that reaching 100% parity — a first in the California Community College system — is possible. Read about two incredible efforts by AFT local unions to achieve pay parity for part-time faculty.

 

Faculty and unions fight on in the face of COVID

The effects of the pandemic continue and with declining enrollment, adjuncts have been hit particularly hard despite the heroic efforts of faculty to provide remote and online instruction. Thousands of adjuncts have lost classes and jobs and their unions have stepped up.

 

Healthcare, transferable training top adjunct priorities at CFT Convention

At the CFT Virtual Convention held March 26-27, the Part-Time Faculty Committee sponsored two resolutions reflective of both the longstanding and new problems beginning to emerge in the wake of the pandemic. Read about the discussion and resolutions passed.

 

CFT seeks 85% adjunct teaching load, statewide path to pay parity

Following the legislative slow-down due to the pandemic, the union is again taking up the adjunct cause on bills directed towards raising the part-time percentage cap on teaching in a single district, and in developing a path towards part-time/full-time pay parity. Support these key adjunct bills moving through the Legislature.

• Plus join our campaign! Tell legislators community colleges are critical to recovery from the pandemic — and to invest in California’s community colleges!

 

Adjuncts and the “New Deal for Higher Education”

Nationwide, approximately three-quarters of higher ed faculty teach on an adjunct or contingent basis and are compensated so poorly that nearly 25% are on some form of public assistance. This is one of the key challenges the AFT’s New Deal for Higher Education sets out to remedy.

 

YOUR UNION IN ACTION

Unemployment guide for part-time faculty

Our pandemic unemployment guide for part-time faculty has been updated since passage of the American Rescue Plan. Plus we have two new resources written by for union members for part-time faculty with tips for navigating the EDD.

• Tips for EDD interviews, phone or in-person
• Tips for contacting your legislators if you are having problems at EDD
   

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New and updated in our pandemic toolkit

We continue to update our collection of pandemic resources, from unemployment to vaccine updates. Here’s a sampling of what’s available:

• Supplemental Sick Leave — Governor extends COVID-related sick leave by two weeks
• Vaccines — CFT, AFT and government guidelines
• Reopening Guidelines — CFT, AFT and government guidelines
   

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CFT scholarships for continuing college students

Support for college tuition has never been more important. Children or dependents of CFT members in good standing are eligible for $3000 or $1000 scholarships. The deadline for continuing college students to apply for a CFT scholarship is June 15.