The Peralta board’s six-city roadshow continues tonight, as trustees take their act to Himalayan Flavors Restaurant in Berkeley. Why hold a BoT meeting in a Nepalese eatery? Because it’s there! The meeting won’t be televised or recorded on Granicus, so if you’re hungry for BoT action—and, say, a bowl of lamb biryani—hire a guide and trek up to 1585 University Ave. by 7 p.m.
*Tonight’s relatively modest BoT meeting agenda features several Measure A-related expenditures, a public hearing on proposed revisions to Local 39’s contract, a study session on a dozen new board policies, and a second look at an item on district-wide security services.
*PFT’s Sep. 18 general membership meeting included visits from PCCD Trustee Abel Guillén, candidate for the new 18th State Assembly District, and Board of Governors member Jurena Storm, erstwhile Peralta student trustee and current Area 2 PCCD BoT hopeful. BCC held its first chapter meeting of the year Sep. 19, and took up issues ranging from the recently approved PCCD 2012-13 budget to problems with part-timers’ paychecks. See future e-Communiqués for the word on upcoming PFT meetings around the four colleges.
*To help turn out faculty for the Nov. 6 elections, grab your cell and join us for member-to-member phone banking at the PFT offices, 500 E. Eighth St., Ste. B, Oakland, 4:30-7:30 p.m., Th., Sep. 27; Tues., Oct. 2; and Wed., Oct. 3. Contact Janell Hampton at (510) 798-1508 or janell@pft1603.org for more info.
*Part-time faculty whose loads have been cut in fall 2012 may apply for up to $500 in emergency assistance from PFT. Awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, Member Emergency Relief Fund (MERF) monies will go to applicants who 1) have current PFT membership, 2) have worked in a department for at least six of the previous ten semesters, 3) have lost 50% or more of a semester base load assignment, 4) have no full-time employment elsewhere, and 5) have no or limited retirement benefits. MERF applications will be accepted until funds are exhausted. Application forms can be obtained from the PFT website, under the Part-Time Corner tab, or the PFT office.
In solidarity,
Matthew M. Goldstein, President
Peralta Federation of Teachers, AFT Local 1603
union@pft1603.org, 510.763.8820