Before you head out for the summer, PFT would like to catch you up on a few issues. Look for the union’s regular publications—the e-Communiqué, PCCD Board Watch, and the Peralta Teacher—again in the fall. For now, enjoy this end-of-term roundup.
*Mandatory benefits re-enrollment for all contract faculty and retirees continues through May 31. If you plan to retire before June 30, re-enroll and set an appointment with Jennifer Seibert (jseibert@peralta.edu, 510.587.7838) to make sure you get your paperwork straight. Part-time faculty will have their regular open enrollment period in the fall.
*Part-time faculty interested in applying for unemployment should visit the PFT website, www.pft1603.org, and click Unemployment in the left-hand menu. Contact PFT labor rep Sara Connors at sara@pft1603.org or 510.763.8820 with any questions.
*PFT and SEIU will phone bank for Measure B, a proposed PCCD parcel tax, Tues. and Thurs. nights, 5:30-7:30, at 447 29th St., Oakland, through June 5. Open to all.
*PFT again thanks faculty who answered the recent call for sick-leave donations. Those who would still like to donate are encouraged to hold off until the next call goes out—once a request is filled (as the last one so quickly was), no more hours can be accepted.
*Emails to PFT about the recent parity-pay survey revealed that many faculty, full- and part-time alike, are unclear on the differences between extra service, professional service, parity pay, and overload. (PFT will help educate folks on these key terms in the months ahead.) Still, a majority of survey respondents said they would be unwilling to entertain the possibility of donating their parity pay.
*PFT spent the first part of the academic year hammering out a three-year contract with the district. We head into 2012-13 with department chair release time fully restored, part-time office hours and the 50-50 program permanent parts of the contract, and full-time faculty benefits, sketched in the next paragraph, largely intact.
Delta Dental and Kaiser remain premium-free. PPO coverage includes a low-cost “lite” option, with a very small premium and 100% coverage for in-network providers, and a full-featured “traditional” plan, with a slightly larger premium, 100% coverage for in-network providers, and 80% coverage for out-of-network providers. Future retirees will make no premium payments for PPO Lite upon retirement. PFT also increased the amount of cash in lieu for faculty who refuse Peralta medical benefits and have documented coverage options.
PFT thanks the warriors on its negotiating team and Peralta faculty who voted to ratify the deal.
In solidarity,
Matthew M. Goldstein, President
Debby Weintraub, Communications Director
Peralta Federation of Teachers, AFT Local 1603
union@pft1603.org, 510.763.8820
During the summer, keep up with the board online, follow the union on Twitter @PFT1603, and like PFT on Facebook, too!