AFT 2121 Leadership Election Candidate Statements, 2018-2020 term

CANDIDATE STATEMENTS*

*The due date for candidate statements was Friday, April 6,  2018, by 5:00 p.m.

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President

Pablo Rodriguez

Pablo Rodriguez for President
As your President, I will make sure that:

*We have a Contract that protect our jobs and move us towards equal pay and equal benefits for equal work For ALL.
*I will  work with the Administration towards promoting Part Timers into Full Time positions as I have been doing it as the Chair of our PTmers Committee
*Part-time faculty receive the same salary and benefits as full-time faculty prorated (100%)
*Part-time faculty are not used for the primary purpose of reducing instructional budgets or for the purpose of reducing the number of full-time positions.
*Under NO circumstances should the number of full-time faculty fall below 75% of full- and part-time faculty!) –Lots to do here as we currently have about 500 FTmers and close to 900 PTmers!
*The practice of Cutting classes STOP
*WE STOP THE DOWNSIZING/PRIVITAZING OF OUR COLLEGE

Jenny Worley

Jenny Worley SOLIDARITY SLATE.

            Serving as AFT 2121’s Vice President (2016-present), Treasurer (2015-16), and Secretary (2012-14), I’ve spent the past six years at the forefront of our union’s campaigns to save our college, to strengthen our contract, and to create the Free City program that is rebuilding our enrollment. I have advocated for and resolved members’ contract grievances, helped negotiate three contracts, chaired our Delegate Assemblies and Executive Board meetings in the President’s absence, and organized numerous direct actions, such as our college-wide “Wall of Welcome” protesting Trump’s anti-immigrant stance. I am running for President so I can continue working for our faculty, our college, and our community.

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Vice-President

Wynd Kaufmyn

Solidarity Slate: Pre-2012 my primary focus was the classroom and my department. When our college came under political attack (via ACCJC) my inner activist jumped wholeheartedly into the fight to save CCSF. I worked for and with our students via AFT2121 and Save CCSF Coalition.

My priority is always social justice. Currently my efforts are to grow the college (thank you AFT2121 for Free City!), keep the Balboa Reservoir in public hands for public good, build a stronger union in the world of Trump and Janus, and of course, win a contract that compensates faculty fairly. (Both full-timers and part-timers.)

Lou Schubert

AFT2121 should serve its members! CCSF faculty deserve respect and representation from OUR union. Top-down paternalism must end, replaced with transparent, democratic, inclusive engagement focused on member needs. The (still unacknowledged) FT caucus got “leadership” to focus on FT compensation as we hemorrhage faculty we can’t replace due to affordability. Members are shorted $20,000 annually compared to neighboring districts. That’s $250,000 to $450,000 lifetime! Simultaneously AFT2121 has disrespectfully treated PT members as a homogenous mass, never bothering to ask about diverse needs: Freeway flyers, CTE professionals, and those supplementing FT jobs elsewhere need different things from their union.

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Secretary

Jessica Buchsbaum

Solidarity Slate; AFT 2121 is a critical part of our College – I would be honored to continue to serve as Secretary as I have for the past 4 years. My history of strong leadership includes increasing Union membership, improving our Precinct structure, and organizing direct actions in support of our struggle. We’ve kept our college open and accredited, achieved Free City to grow enrollment, and won the first contract with major gains for FT and PT faculty in years. There’s more work ahead. You can count on me to continue to fight for all faculty, our students and our college.

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Treasurer

Yvonne Webb

Yvonne J. Webb for Treasurer, Solidarity Slate

I am asking for your support to continue as the AFT 2121 Treasurer and continue the work I’ve started to enhance the Local’s accounting and financial reporting.  I have taught part-time at CCSF since 2001 in the Business Department and have a background in accounting and taxes.

More broadly, I want to continue to work for:

*greater faculty diversity
*defending public education
*building ties to community
*rebuilding enrollment at CCSF
*a fair faculty contract.

Support the Solidarity Slate!

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Executive Board

Rick Baum

By voting for me, you are indicating you want:

*Contracts that protect jobs and move us towards equal pay and benefits for equal work.
*100% pro-rata pay for all part-timers.
*A union controlled by members who decide goals and strategies.
*Any decision or action by those in leadership disclosed asap.
*The PUC reservoir property turned over to CCSF.
*The building of the voter approved Performing Arts Center asap.
*Student employees paid more than San Francisco’s minimum wage.
*Increases in taxes paid by corporations and the wealthy to fully fund public education and needed services.

Mary Bravewoman

SOLIDARITY SLATE. Shaped by 27 years of experience as a CCSF graduate, classified staffer, and now faculty member, I am a product of City College. I currently represent Precinct 2 in our Delegate Assembly, and serve on our contract negotiations team. I’ve learned that our union is more than a bargaining unit, and now view union service as a matter of social justice. I’d be honored to continue that service on AFT2121’s Executive Board, and to work for the equity and faculty unity that will ensure a strong Union and a strong College during these times of divisive politics.

Kathe Burick

Solidarity Slate: I would like to continue serving on our board because our union is much more than a bargaining unit. In collaboration with community and other unions, we are a force for good in a troubled world, working to meet human needs and defend human rights.

Malaika Finkelstein

Malaika Finkelstein, Solidarity Slate:

I began working and volunteering for our union in 2012. I’ve served on our Executive Board, bargaining teams, and as Grievance Officer. I’m proud to be part of the team that kept the college open through the accreditation crisis and developed Free City. I’ve worked especially on preventing class cuts, sorting out payroll, and negotiating real raises after the disastrous pay cuts of previous years.

I teach part-time in non-credit. To me, CCSF is about accessibility, community, and social justice. Our working conditions are student learning conditions.

Dayna Holz

Solidarity Slate: I love working part time for CCSF as a librarian. Volunteering with the union is a way for me to give back to this amazing institution and to my colleagues who make CCSF a place I’m proud to work at. I’ve been the Precinct 21 Representative for the past two years, helped start the Contract Enforcement Committee, and worked on systemic payroll problems. I’m pleased to run for Executive Board Representative-at-Large: to expand my work with the union, bring a part time perspective to the table, and work to ensure that administration treats our members fairly and respectfully

Dean Karay

As your candidate, I will make sure that we have a Contract that protect our jobs and move us towards equal pay and equal benefits for equal work and 100% pro-rata pay for all part-timers. I will also make sure that we remain a strong and unified Union, one that we all feel proud of. A union controlled by members who decide our goals and strategies. Additionally, I assure you that I am going to fight for fair compensation for all our members; as I am a strong advocate for equal pay for equal work for all faculty. I will work with the Administration towards promoting Part Timers into Full Time positions.

Kimberly Keenan

I believe that it is critical that AFT represent ALL faculty well.  I have served equal years at CCSF as a part-timer and as a full timer, so I am aware of issues that impact both groups.  In the past, I have served on the Executive Board and negotiations team.   We must have wages and working conditions that are at the very least brought to the Bay 10 median for everyone.  It would be an honor to serve in a Representative at Large position on the Executive Board!!

Alisa Messer

SOLIDARITY SLATE: I am proud of the role our Union has played in defending and rebuilding our college, and there is more to do. I would be honored to continue the work on our executive board with this great team of committed faculty leaders running on the Solidarity Slate, as well as continuing to build with all of our members, students, and the broader community.

Susmita Sengupta

1.Equal pay for equal work for all faculty as the FTES nor the United States Department of Labor distinguish full time or part time status.
2.Promote procedures for part time faculty to transition into full time position if they desire and they have two or more satisfactory evaluations.
3.Promote evidence based interviews for ALL faculty hiring.
4.Promote the availability of medical and police assistance in minimum possible time in case of emergencies.
5.Ensure faculty commuting more than 25 miles have transit passes through the public transportation system to be available to them.

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Labor Council Delegates

Allan Fisher

As an AFT 2121 delegate to the Labor Council for many years, I believe I have a good working relationship with the officers and members of the Labor Council. I am also well known to many of the community groups that participate in our labor/community coalition. I wish to continue my service as  the co-chair (along with Rodger Scott) of the Social Economic Justice Committee of the SF Labor Council.  I believe that unions and the labor movement must fight on behalf of all of its members and for peace, the environment, social and economic justice and a better world.

Alisa Messer

SOLIDARITY SLATE: As a delegate and Vice-President for Political Affairs for the San Francisco Labor Council, I see the difference that our labor allies and the collective strength of working people makes in our lives. Labor launched Free City, and labor will continue to be an important component of our Union and our college’s work.

Rodger Scott

I am seeking re-election as a Delegate to the San Francisco Labor Council. I’ve served on the Executive Board for more than 40 years; but I am no longer physically able–and some might argue mentally able as well–to return to the Executive Board. I do, however, believe I have enough energy and functioning brain cells to continue serving as a Labor Council delegate and co-chair with Allan Fisher of the Social and Economic Justice Committee. I think our ties to Labor, progressive and community forces allow faculty unionists to advocate for society–not just our constituents.

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AFT Convention Delegates

Doug Orr

I would like to represent AFT2121 at the AFT national convention, to share the work our local is doing to provide financial literacy and retirement planning for our members and to learn what locals around the country are doing.  I also want to support the hard work AFT2121 leadership has given to save the accreditation of our college and to win the largest salary increases of any of the state-supported Bay10 colleges in the last round of negotiations, despite the attempts of the administration to split part-time and full-time faculty.

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Precinct Representatives (Delegate Assembly)

Precinct #4 – Abigail Bornstein

Any precinct without a Precinct Rep has no vote at Delegate Assembly meetings on important union matters.  I witnessed this first hand back in September when the Sunshine Document was being voted on.  Roughly 25% of faculty at CCSF had no Precinct Rep and therefore no vote on the Sunshine Document.  That’s when I first stepped forward.  I was shocked to then receive opposition from the union executive board to my precinct’s attempt to get representation and a vote at the Delegate Assembly meetings.  I am once again stepping forward so we have a voice and a vote. 

Precinct #7 – Kimberly Keenan

It would be a privilege to serve as the precinct representative for Social Sciences. In the past, I have served on the Executive Board and negotiations team for AFT2121. I want to make certain that the needs and desires of our precinct members are made known to union leadership and to work toward optimal wages and working conditions here at City College.

Precinct #11 – Harry Bernstein

The Delegate Assembly represents faculty interests; working co-operatively, I seek your support for re-election.

I’m advocating efforts to construct the PAEC soon, helping build enrollment, expand programs, improve facilities, benefit CCSF. Union negotiating difficulties may require your participation for a better contract.

AFT2121 worked actively—on CCSF’s accreditation, Proposition W (Free City), parcel tax extension for CCSF. It supports two progressive candidates in Mayoral election—for changes in SF’s direction; College for All initiative would increase California’s higher education access.

Challenges remain. Janus decision threatens public sector unions. 1100 proposed Reservoir housing units endanger CCSF’s rebuilding.

Thank you.

Precinct #15 – Valerie Berger

As the Ocean ESL Precinct Rep for the last several years, I have felt energized to serve in this role. I am proud of the many recent achievements of our union: accreditation, salary increases, Free City. The current wave of teacher activism from West Virginia to Oklahoma is changing the national conversation regarding funding for public education, and the power of our collective efforts is clearly evident. I am inspired to be part of this movement for change. The public is counting on us to protect vital services, and I am counting on your vote.

Precinct #20 – John Carrese

I’m committed to continuing the organizing work for Precinct 20 that I’ve done over the past few years. Our union is strong and we have the power to win better wages and working conditions for faculty, which is the best way to keep CCSF affordable, accessible and high quality for our students.

I appreciate your vote for me.

Precinct #22 – Galina Gerasimova

I would like to continue representing members to build together a strong and powerful union, which will protect members’ and non-members’ wages, benefits, and working conditions, and will continue to bring more members and non-member into union life. I will support union members’ attempts to have a stronger impact on employer decisions. I will advocate for transparency and, when issues arise, for collective decision making and the open discussion of all possible solutions. I will work to build greater community and labor unity at CCSF, and will continue the fight for affordable and accessible public education for all.

Precinct #30 – Robin Pugh

It has been my honor to represent Precinct 30 (Non-Ocean Campus Business Faculty) for the past four years and I am asking for your vote to continue this work. Thanks to your support, we have had some huge successes in the last four years, including our current contract, which was the result of a well-organized bargaining strategy. Union members’ organizing helped us get our full accreditation back and created the vision and partnerships that have allowed Free City. Unions are under attack because we are effective. I believe we are always stronger together.

Precinct #37 – Thomas Wang

Thomas is a teacher in the environmental horticulture and floristry department. He fully supports a strong AFT 2121 and hopes to be of help in organizing and advocacy. He enjoys sharing what is happening at the administrative/bargaining/district level with his fellow teachers. Please vote for him as the precinct rep.

Precinct #41 – Doug Orr

The Retiree chapter can provide very useful institutional memory when policy issues arise. Jim McKinney has served admirably as our precinct rep, but he needs to take a break.  I hope I can serve as well as he did. The retiree chapter helped CCSF weather the accreditation crisis and acknowledge the amazing work done by AFT2121 leadership.  I look forward to continuing to work with many of those same leaders.

Doug Orr