Dear Peralta Community:
Fourth Tuesday brings the e-Communiqué from the Peralta Federation of Teachers. Alert PFT Communications Director Matthew Goldstein at mgoldstein@peralta.edu to any events, items, etc., you’d like to see in this space. Enjoy!
*Join your union brothers and sisters Thurs., Feb. 25, 3-5 p.m., at Laney College, Room A 266, for the first PFT general membership meeting of 2010. We’ll discuss a possible contract extension, among other significant work issues. Light snacks will be served.
*Don’t miss the PFT- and board-endorsed Rally for California’s Future, Thurs., March 4, at 5 p.m. in San Francisco’s Civic Center. Other March 4 actions include a Laney student walkout at 11 a.m.; a BCC speak-out and march, starting in the atrium at 12:15 p.m.; and a PFT-backed march to Oakland’s Frank Ogawa Plaza. Consider incorporating one of the day’s events into your lesson plan, including a class field trip to one of the actions. See a list of ideas for March 4-related classroom activities at www.pft1603.org.
*PFT urges faculty, staff, and students to attend tonight’s meeting of the Peralta Board of Trustees, set for 7 p.m. in the district boardroom (333 E. Eighth St.). Among the agenda items: two contract extensions, including one with Leung Consulting “on issues related to changes in the new contracts for all three unions” (No. 5). PFT looks forward to working with Leung Consulting on a contract extension. PFT has questions about the $72,000-a-year contract extension with a federal lobbying firm (No. 7)—e.g., What grants has the firm brought to Peralta? Also, PFT worries a closed-session item to approve a VC of Human Resources is moving ahead without having gone through the appropriate shared-governance process. Those planning to address the board should arrive early to fill out speaker cards.
*The latest issue of the Peralta Teacher goes into mailboxes this week. Articles include a consideration of the tenure of outgoing chancellor Elihu Harris, a discussion of part-timer SDI issues, and more details on March 4. Check it out online now at www.pft1603.org.
*To take advantage of banked leave—deposits or withdrawals—be sure to file your paperwork at least six weeks before the start of the semester. (See the PFT contract, Article 26, §18, ¶B.) The six-week requirement is waived in the event of a late class cancellation.
*Part-timers shouldn’t miss upcoming information sessions on AB 381/SDI, the State Disability Insurance law for community college part-time faculty. Meetings are set for March 1 at Laney, March 8 at CoA, and March 15 at BCC. (All meetings will take place 12-1 p.m. in locations TBA.) PFT will hold an election in April for part-time faculty to decide whether the union should negotiate an agreement with the district for 1.1% SDI deductions from adjunct paychecks. For more information, contact PFT part-time rep Cynthia Mahabir at cmlaney2003@yahoo.com.
In unity,
Debby Weintraub, President
PFT, AFT Local 1603
For more about the PFT—contract information, contacts, downloadable forms, updates, etc.—visit pft1603.org or write PFT1603info@gmail.com.