Faculty, College of the Canyons Reach Deal

After a nearly six-month negotiation process which was delayed by an impasse, College of the Canyons and the union representing all part-time and adjunct faculty at the college –AFT Local 6262–have reached a new two-year contract agreement.

Included in the new deal will be a 5.5 percent compensation increase for all COC part-time and adjunct faculty–retroactive July 1, 2006–the establishment of a third step on the part-time/ adjunct pay scale and a total compensation increase of a cost-of-living adjustment plus .75 percent for the 2007-08 fiscal year. Additionally the contract will create a new timetable for department chairs to schedule and distribute teaching assignments, establish regular meeting periods between union and college officials.

Although parameters for the new contract were agreed upon in December, union officials had to wait until after the holidays to receive member ratification. COC board members then officially approved the agreement at their February meeting.

“I think both groups are pleased with the outcome of the negotiation,” said Diane Fiero, vice president of human resources at COC. “We were able to hammer out some tough issues and come to a consensus.”

With the creation of the third step on the pay scale, part-time and adjunct faculty members who have been teaching at the college for more than 12 semesters will receive a total pay increase of roughly 8.5 percent.

“It’s a well-deserved raise and an obvious recognition of their service. It recognizes the value of people’s long terms of service to the district,” said AFT Local 6262 union President Michael Ward, referring to the creation of the third pay step. “We came up with a pretty good increase that I thought was fair. With everything going on around the state concerning teaching, it’s pretty much on par with other areas.”

Another major issue of concern for union officials was the inability for its members to file a grievance for any problems that may arise in the assignment and scheduling process for part-time and adjunct employees.

In the months leading up to the agreement, Ward said the lack of a grievance process left such employees with “little or no job security.”

However, under the new contract, COC department heads must send the list of “known, available course sections or other work assignments” to employees no later than November 1st for the following winter session and spring semester, and no later than April 15 for the following summer session and fall semester.

Additionally a representative of the State Mediation and Conciliation Service will attend joint meetings between COC officials and AFT on or about May 1, 2007, and on or about November 15, 2007, to review and mediate any unresolved issues between the two parties.

“So within the two years, if there are issues that come up, we can sit down and talk about them without actually re-negotiating,” Fiero said.

Though not the official grievance process that AFT officials had originally sought, Ward seemed to be satisfied with the new procedures.

“I like the idea that someone from the state will be taking a look at that, so that’s a good positive step,” Ward said. “Because there are consistently problems that come up; having some kind of third party positive oversight is definitely a good thing, so we’re happy with it from that perspective.”