Update on Facilities Issues

On Wednesday, AFT met with Chancellor Martin to discuss the pressing facilities issues that are making working and learning so very challenging for our college community. We have included the brief updates he provided to AFT below. Additionally, he reported that the boilers in Mission and JAD are broken, and the District is in the process of getting bids to have them replaced. He said space heaters are available in the interim, and that he would prioritize sending a report with updates to the college community this week.

As you know, he does not appear to have prioritized updating our community with this vital information. This is consistent with the general lack of urgency he seems to feel for providing adequate communication about this issue as well as access to clear and concrete solutions. We know that space heaters are one option, and that some faculty have been able to work with their department chairs to either change rooms and/or temporarily move to remote instruction. These are inadequate half-measures, but may be preferable to continuing to ask students and faculty to suffer through unacceptable working and learning conditions.

Still, long term solutions are needed. If you have not already done so, please fill out your bargaining survey and include the facilities issues you are experiencing in addition to your other priorities. Stronger language on facilities in your contract is how we keep admin accountable. If you do not have your survey, contact your precinct rep.

1. Science heat: The high-pressure steam piping in the building is no longer operational and needs to be replaced. It will need external architectural and contractor assistance to replace. It’s in the project queue for solution design and implementation.

2. Art Extension heat: The current heating system and design is obsolete. Not only will a new boiler be needed, a full reconfiguration of the systems and controls will also be required. Based on this information, the Art Ext heating project will have to go to full bid by itself and cannot be grouped with other boiler bids (i.e. Mission, JAD, Wellness, etc.). This will be a $1M plus project for which the architects are currently designing.

3. MUB heat: The geothermal well’s system and controls were replaced and some of the new equipment is working intermittently, which causes different temperatures in similar locations. Facilities is consistently monitoring the radiant flooring and testing the heat to identify needed adjustments to the equipment.

4. Rosenberg ceiling: The pipe is being replaced right now and should be completed next week or the week thereafter.

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   Encourage your Students to Apply for a Paid Summer Internship at the UC Berkeley Labor Center- Deadline is 2/15

Applications are NOW OPEN for the Labor Summer Internship Program! Spend your summer learning about social and economic justice and exploring the intersections of race, class, gender, and immigration in the labor movement!  

Labor Summer is a full-time, PAID, intensive eight-week internship program designed to train the next generation of labor and community leaders. After receiving training from the Labor Summer team, you will be paired with a labor or community organization to apply your skills in real-world settings on issues vital to the state’s working people. You’ll also gain the skills and networks to explore and prepare for labor-related jobs after graduation.  

Need-to-Know:
· Labor Summer runs June 20 – August 11, 2023
· All programming will be in-person!
· Open to rising juniors and undergraduate students, and graduate students
· $20/hr to $22/hr pay
· Applications are DUE Wednesday, February 15, 2023

Wait, I have more questions!
· Learn more about the Labor Summer Internship Program on our website.
· Check out our FAQ page.
· Even more questions? Email Clementina Jara at ucblaborsummer@gmail.com