District makes Offensive Salary Proposal–Our Programs Deserve Better

Yesterday in bargaining, we continued to make progress on non-economic matters (see full list of proposals here), but unfortunately received an unacceptable proposal from the District on compensation. The District’s initial salary proposal was 1) a 2% raise for one year with nothing guaranteed for years two and three of our contract, and 2) additional steps to full-time faculty overload pay that still don’t achieve parity with PT pay.

After ending the year with an $18.4mil surplus and over $70mil in reserves, the District’s offer is an affront to faculty and the mission we serve. City College cannot maintain the programs our students deserve if it does not invest in competitive salaries for the employees who keep this college running.

In bargaining, the District provided very little rationale for its salary proposal, other than to cite budget talking points from our former VC of Finance Yulian Ligioso, whose actions are now under investigation and whose budget padding was cited by the California State Auditor’s office in August. CCSF ended the year with over $20mil more than it projected in surplus, and the AFT budget has identified about $20mil in fat in this year’s budget.

The college is running a structural surplus, and it is deeply troubling that our elected Trustees have authorized a salary proposal on the basis of suspect numbers.

That is why we are joining with our labor siblings SEIU 1021 and community allies for a joint union action on October 22 (more info below) to take action for a fair contract and a stronger college. Our members, programs, and students deserve nothing less. RSVP for Oct 22 rally here, & sign up for electing new Trustees here.

Highlights from Bargaining

Bottlenecks in key programs

Julissa Vinals, counselor and Bargaining Team member: “Every day, I have to tell students they can’t get Chem 32 or other necessary classes. If we can’t hire, students aren’t going to come. I’ve had to tell 100 students this year they have to go somewhere else for Chem 32. If we can’t keep our programs going because we can’t hire faculty with these salaries, the college is not doing its job.”

Drop in real wages

Economics professor David Pieper: ”Inflation in the San Francisco metro area has been 3.4% in the past year, and you are offering a salary increase of 2%. That results in a real wage reduction of 1.4%”

Outside law firm attorney representing the District: “There are differing views on the budget. What does an economist say if you just can’t afford to offer more money due to budget constraints?”
[Note: Bargaining Team’s budget analysis shows $18.5 million surplus]

Pieper: “An economist would say that in that case you need to prepare for labor strife.”

Padded budget reveals administrator priorities

AFT2121 Chief Negotiator Spencer Jackson: “Your 2026-27 budget shows no raises for faculty or staff but an 81% raise for copy machines.”

You can see a full list of proposals exchanged so far on this proposal tracker. Don’t remember who is on your elected Bargaining Team? Click here! Check in with your precinct rep to get involved in the contract campaign – whether you are a member or not, there are actions for each of us if we want a great contract.

Rally for a Fair Contract

Are you unhappy about the District’s insulting offer of 2% for one year? NOW is the time to take action to show our Trustees that you deserve better, and we know the college can afford it. Join your colleagues in a show of strength and unity to send a clear message to CCSF Trustees and administration that they need to bring something better to the table.

Fair Contract Now for Faculty and Classified! We make CCSF work for students.

Joint Union Action: AFT 2121 and SEIU 1021

• Harry Britt Building, CCSF (parking lot on Frida Kahlo Way)
• Thursday October 22, 6:00-8:00 pm

The stronger our presence, the better our contract! We will not let management walk all over us.

Will you commit to be there? RSVP here!

^{Time to make ourselves heard! In 2022 we secured a 14% raise after a joint show of strength with SEIU 1021}

Take action this weekend for better leadership at City College

No one wants to see CCSF in crisis – and yet here we are again, with headlines in the SF Chronicle calling out Chancellor Messina for alleged misuse of public funds. Hiring and oversight of the Chancellor is one of the most important functions of a Board of Trustees. CCSF needs a Board of Trustees that is accountable to the community, one that’s laser focused on ensuring CCSF keeps its dollars funding classes and programs to support our students’ futures. We need Trustees that owe no debts to the billionaires pouring their influence into San Francisco politics, and who understand why to investing in the educators who do the hands-on work

Will you join us to knock doors and talk to voters about the leaders that educators – not billionaires – want for education?

THIS WEEKEND (RSVP here)

• Saturday, October 10th, 10:00 AM-2:00 PM at India Basin Waterfront Park (900 Innes Ave) led by our CCSF Social Sciences faculty
• Sunday, October 11th, 10:00 AM -1:00 PM at Clement Street Farmer’s Market (Meet at 3rd ave & Clement St) led by our CCSF Library & ESL faculty
• Sunday, October 11th, 1:00-3:00 PM at Minnie & Lovie Ward Recreation Center (650 Capitol Ave) led by our CCSF Math faculty