Something to be thankful for: Union power!

Dear AFT 2121 members:

Good news! The power we demonstrated with our preparedness to strike against District administration Unfair Labor Practices has caused the administration to remedy our charges against them! The District will rescind all letters demanding payment from AFT 2121 unit members and will not take action against any other members until completing talks with AFT 2121—hopefully this time in good faith. But we are still concerned District administration will try to assert regressive proposals in our final settlement and we must continue to build our union power to ensure a fair contract for faculty.

Additionally, in order to settle our ULP charge, the District administration has agreed to refrain from surveillance of Union activities and will inform administrative and public safety staff of the District administration and Board of Trustees’ commitment to respect faculty member’s rights concerning protected activity.

With the provoking policies removed, the AFT 2121 Executive Board has unanimously voted to cancel the Strike Authorization Vote scheduled to conclude on November 30. Plans for a One-Day Strike on Dec 7th are likewise cancelled.

Since we began negotiating with the District administration early this year, this is the fastest we have seen it move on any item. Thanks to your organizing work—showing up at rallies and informational pickets along with our student and community allies, and keeping your colleagues informed as events unfolded—the District administration knew our strike threat was real. Consequently, it quickly took action to remedy its most blatant bad faith practices.

AFT 2121 hopes that the administration’s action in this case signals a new direction in negotiations, one that will lead to a fair contract. However, given District administration’s feet dragging and all around failure to prioritize bargaining in good faith without our insistence it do so faculty should remain prepared to strike if necessary as we continue negotiations.

For today we should celebrate how we have shown through our resolve and our solidarity how powerful we are! Have a great Thanksgiving!

In Unity,

Tim Killikelly
President, AFT 2121