Board of Trustees meeting: Report back and next steps
AFT 2121 members and students came to the Board of Trustees meeting last week to present ideas for how to grow our college.
Recognizing the critical role our Trustees play in shaping the future of CCSF, AFT 2121 leaders, precinct reps, and department chairs, also met with individual Trustees before the public meeting. Chairs shared their plans for increasing enrollment in their departments and programs, and explained how recent budget cuts are impeding these plans and hurting enrollment. Based on the Trustees’ inquires and concerns, these on-the-ground reports from chairs and faculty went a long way to helping our trustees become more familiar with the realities our students and programs are facing.
In her address to the board, AFT 2121 President Jenny Worley, called for a moratorium on class cancellations, reminding the Board that they’ve been elected by the people of San Francisco to maintain a community college offering a rich, diverse curriculum. AFT 2121 members and their students spoke up during public comment, offering suggestions for growth and cautioning against further cuts. Outside, faculty, students, and community members made giant posters advocating growth over cuts, access over austerity.
Because the administration has not agreed to a moratorium on cuts, AFT 2121 members are forming a Class Cuts Action Team to respond with immediate direct action in the event of cancellations during the winter break.
Unemployment benefits for winter
Part-timers who don’t have sufficient income from other work are entitled to unemployment benefits over winter break. Even if you’re pretty sure you have an assignment for Spring, you’re still eligible. You are considered unemployed until that assignment actually starts, since the assignment isn’t guaranteed.
Apply as soon as possible on or after your last day of work. Your application is retroactive only to the Sunday of the week in which you apply.
When you apply for benefits, you must report your earnings.
Free City Charter Amendment moves forward
The Free City College charter amendment is heading to the November 5, 2019 ballot. Thanks to our Union members, Jane Kim, Community Housing Partnership, San Francisco Labor Council, Jobs with Justice, and San Francisco Rising Alliance.
Proposition W has brought in $27 million new revenue to the City’s General Fund 2017 alone. In October, Supervisor Jane Kim introduced an Amendment to the City’s Charter that, if approved by San Francisco voters in November 2019, will set aside $15 million annually to provide stability and security to the Free City Program for 10 years. This would allow Free City to cover in-state tuition for residents with a San Francisco address who have lived in California for at least one year and one day. Free City will also cover in-state tuition for homeless San Franciscans, foster youth, and undocumented residents qualifying under AB540, AB13, and AB2000. Eligible Free City participants will receive extra financial assistance of up to $500 per semester for books and transportation costs.
AFT 2121 hires new accountant
AFT 2121 has hired Beverly Conley, an independent accountant contractor, to help with bookkeeping. For more info contact AFT 2121 Treasurer Yvonne Webb (
ywebb@aft2121.org).
Winter office closure
AFT 2121 will be closed over the Winter break for the weeks of Christmas and New Years. Our office will reopen on Monday, January 7th.
Anti-Union Organizations Target Union Members
Well-funded anti-union groups like the “Freedom Foundation” are calling, emailing, even showing up uninvited on our doorsteps to bully us into dropping our union membership. These groups understand the power of working people standing together – and they don’t want that!
Let’s continue to stand together in the face of these attacks against working people. We’ll be sending out a handy window sign to each AFT 2121 member so, you can make it clear: no union busters welcome here!
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