Dear Peralta Community,

Fourth Tuesday means PFT e-Communiqué time. Check your inbox each second and fourth Tuesday for the union’s bullet list of noteworthy issues, events, and ideas. Enjoy!

*On Nov. 10, faculty, students, and staff again packed a Peralta board meeting to ask trustees to scrutinize district budget proposals. As one part-time faculty member put it so memorably, the only serious reductions made thus far have come at the expense of adjunct faculty, classified staff, and student-support services; so, contrary to the district mantra, cuts have been made as close to the classroom as possible. As a result of such stirring presentations, the board put off its vote on approving the budget—a good first step. Now the trustees need to rethink their priorities in allocating our limited resources.

*BCC held a lively PFT chapter meeting Nov. 18. Over grilled vegetable nachos, attendees developed strategies for combating district budget cuts, including plans to circulate a petition listing specific challenges to current PCCD spending priorities. So when you’re back from Turkey Day, look for the petition, sign it, and pass it on. We want to bring hundreds of signatures to the board meeting on Tues., Dec. 15.

*Look for nomination ballots for both the PFT Diversity Chair and for delegates to the annual CFT Convention, set for late March in Los Angeles.

*Check out the No Budget Cuts potluck tonight, Tues., Nov. 24, at 5:30 p.m. in the fourth-floor conference room of the Laney College Student Center. Students, staff, and faculty are all welcome. For more information, email no.cuts.laney@gmail.com.

*Don’t miss the PFT’s 2009 Holiday Party, Thurs., Dec. 3, 4:30-6:30 p.m., at the union offices, 500 E. Eighth St. (at Fifth Ave.). Enjoy wine, cheese, and music—and you may even go home with a door prize. All are welcome.

*Come to the last general membership meeting of the calendar year, Tues., Dec. 8, 3:30-5 p.m., Laney College, A 266. Discussion will focus on the budget crisis, retreat rights for managers, and new threats to free speech.

*The PFT encourages members’ college-bound kids to apply for a CFT Raoul Teilhet Scholarship. Based on academic achievement, financial need, special talents, extracurricular activities, and an essay, awards up to $3,000 will be given to a limited number of students. To apply, visit www.cft.org and click on Scholarships. High school applications must be postmarked by Jan. 10, 2010.

In unity,

Debby Weintraub, President
PFT, AFT Local 1603

For more about the Peralta Federation of Teachers—contract information, contacts, downloadable forms, updates, etc.—visit pft1603.org or write PFT1603info@gmail.com.

Contact Us
500 East Eighth Street
Suite B
Oakland, CA 94606-2825
Phone: (510)763-8820
E-mail address: Union@pft1603.org