AFT 2121 Leadership Elections, 2022-2024

Every 2 years, we elect faculty who are members in good standing of our union to positions of leadership and propose amendments to the AFT 2121 Constitution and Bylaws.​

Electronic ballots will go out to all 2121 members on Monday, April 18, 2022, via Electionbuddy, the online voting service handling our current AFT election.

Please be sure that our union has your current email address. 

If you do not received an election notice in your email, or you have any other questions, contact Election Buddy at aft2121@electionbuddy.com.  You may vote online through Monday, May 2, 2022.

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CANDIDATE STATEMENTS 
(Statements are listed here in the same random order as on the ballot)

President 
Mary Bravewoman

After 32 years, my CCSF roots are deep, as a first-generation graduate, classified staff, Grow Your Own hire, mathematics faculty, precinct rep, bargaining team, executive board member, budget analyst, and Vice President: I am a creation of City College. These roots fostered my deep commitment to our students, colleagues, and the mission to keep CCSF a true Community College. I’m committed to placing social justice at the center of our Union’s work and to fighting back against the austerity mindset of administrators. My recent leadership roles in our Union have illuminated both our strengths and shortcomings, and if elected AFT 2121 Union President, I intend to use these insights to inform and guide us as we work to deepen our commitments to each other and our college. And I will continue to work for equity and inclusion, faculty unity and solidarity across differences, and organizing power that will ensure a robust Union and a strong future for our College as we navigate these turbulent times. Our Union Warriors slate has built a team with broad expertise and diverse experience that will be key to winning a growing college and better pay for our faculty. This team is ready to fight with you to protect educational opportunities of San Franciscans as we continue to build our collective power, resist downsizing, and bring long-term sustainable revenue to the College. I urge you to vote for the Union Warriors slate!

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Vice President
Alan D’Souza

My experience as a student, student worker, and now as faculty at City College has deepened my commitment to public education and social and economic justice. I delight in assisting students and am honored to serve faculty through my roles within AFT 2121 leadership. These experiences inspire me to run for Vice President of our union so I may continue advocating for faculty and our college community. I proudly stand with a slate of experienced leaders with proven records in contract bargaining, creation of Free City, grievance work, developing new college revenue, and building community alliances. I would be honored by your vote and for each member of the Union Warrior Slate. Mary Bravewoman for President Alan D’Souza for Vice President Robin Pugh for Secretary Clare Heimer for Treasurer Executive Board Representatives-at-Large Alisa Messer Beatriz Herrera Carolyn Cox Diane Wallis Malaika Finkelstein Tehmina Khan

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Treasurer
Kovak Williamson

I am a candidate for Treasurer of AFT Local 2121. I wish to thank the colleagues who nominated me and those who have encouraged me. As a professional accountant I will approach the tasks with the same professionalism and zeal as our current Treasurer Yvonne Whitelaw. If you are upset with wage reductions, schedule reductions and job eliminations then consider me your candidate. I previously had the honor to serve as an officer of our local. I, like many of you have not had an assignment since March of 2020. I am on the bubble of losing my rehire rights. This is not fair for any of us. We as a fighting Union must do better. When we Fight we Win. Thank you. Peace.

Treasurer
Clare Heimer

I’m really excited by the chance to be your next treasurer. We’re facing tough times: our chancellor is determined to cut this college to the bone, and he has the support of much of the board and much of the administration. We need to build the strength to fight back. I’m honored to be running as part of the Union Warriors slate; with these amazing comrades, I’m excited to build our union’s power by prioritizing organizing, democratic voice, and openness in our internal decision-making. I want to make our union more responsive to dissenting voices, and to build a unified coalition that can act together despite our disagreements. I’ve been working hard on our union’s bargaining team and on the CCSF budget committee for the past year to bring clarity and rigor to the CCSF budget, and to push to have it reflect the college’s priorities. If elected as our next treasurer, I’m excited to work hard to bring those same values to our union’s budget.

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Secretary
Robin Pugh

I’ve been a student, a part time instructor and full time Business faculty member at CCSF. I’ve taught in credit and noncredit, at Ocean and at all but one of our current campuses. I’ve served as Precinct Rep, Grievance Officer and Bargaining Team member. Through all these roles, I have witnessed the power that comes when faculty, students and staff work together. I believe a strong faculty union is an essential element to maintaining and improving faculty working conditions and ultimately increasing opportunities for students at CCSF. I am proud of the work AFT2121 has done to save the college from the ACCJC and launch Free City. The Union Warriors Slate is ready to fight immediate threats to faculty and our college, but also has a plan for long term stability and growth. I believe we are strongest when we work together. You can count on me to listen to you, and to fight for faculty, our students and college. I would be honored to have your vote.)

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AFT 2121 Representative-at-Large (Executive Board)
Carolyn Cox

I am honored to run for the Executive Board of AFT 2121 after more than 40 years as a CCSF part-time faculty member teaching in Non-credit. I have served several times as a precinct rep, including during our first strike in 2016, and look forward to collaborating with my fellow members of the Union Warriors slate to build our strength and stop the downsizing of our community college. I was a community college student immediately after high school and have enrolled at CCSF many times over the years. From my perspective as a teacher, student and community member, I know how essential City College is to the people of this city. I hope to work with all our faculty to keep the doors wide open. Most recently, I have served on the AFT Return to Campus committee and am excited to be back on campus myself, face to face with our wonderful students this semester. I am committed to helping the return to campus process while ensuring the safety of faculty, students, and staff.)

AFT 2121 Representative-at-Large (Executive Board)
Tehmina Khan

We are all the heartbeat of City College! We are a community of scholars, intellectuals, and problem-solvers who have the knowledge and drive to grow the college and make it a place of inspiration that will serve our city’s diverse educational needs. As a faculty member, union rep, current executive board member, and grievance officer, I strive to embody an ethic of love and social justice. As the author of “The Heartbeat of City College,” I bring poetry to union leadership. I am committed to facilitating a culture of liberation in our union as well as in our college as a whole, so that the truth can set all of us free. Vote Union Warriors!

AFT 2121 Representative-at-Large (Executive Board)
Diane Wallis

Hello ! I have served as an AFT 2121 precinct rep for the last several years at the John Adams campus. I am also currently a member of the AFT 2121 Bargaining Team. I am proud to work with such hardworking and accomplished members of our union. If elected to the AFT 2121 Executive Board, I will do my best to safeguard CCSF from further cuts. This is a critical period for our college. We need to stand together to preserve classes and programs. I believe we need to represent all of our part-timers and full-timers and work together to continue to offer the SF Bay Area affordable and free education to all who come to us.

AFT 2121 Representative-at-Large (Executive Board)
Beatriz Herrera

Hello everyone. I am a part-time instructor in LALS and WGST. My background is in community organizing, where I’ve organized alongside Black and Latinx families, queer, youth and immigrant communities in NYC, LA and SF. Before joining CCSF, I helped pass the CA Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights, Free Muni for Youth and worked on poc voter engagement with SF Rising. Please vote for me as part of the Union Warriors Slate 🙂 Tlazocamati!

AFT 2121 Representative-at-Large (Executive Board)
Malaika Finkelstein

I teach part-time in non-credit. To me, CCSF is about accessibility, community, and justice. As AFT 2121 grievance officer, executive board member, negotiating team member, and union president, I’ve seen how our power depends on our solidarity and commitment. We win when faculty stand up together to fight. I strongly support Mary Bravewoman to succeed me as AFT 2121 President. Mary has been a trusted voice for racial and social justice at CCSF for 30 years, and as AFT 2121 VP has led the work to build unity with labor and develop our collective power. She has brought together a strong team representing vision and hope from across our college: President: Mary Bravewoman Vice President: Alan D’Souza Treasurer: Clare Heimer Secretary: Robin Pugh E-board: Alisa Messer, Beatriz Hererra, Carolyn Cox, Diane Wallis, Malaika Finkelstein, and Tehmina Khan

AFT 2121 Representative-at-Large (Executive Board)
Alisa Messer

The last time I wrote a statement like this, I noted that AFT 2121 has “defended our contract and gone on offense for our college and public education, and we have moved progressive funding and policy for our students, our college, and our communities.” I remain proud of this work, and of our union’s much longer history of solidarity and tenaciousness. But it’s now been a full decade of intense struggle for our faculty and the college, and we’re once more in the midst of an unprecedented crisis. We have work to do within our union and with our college community, our city, and beyond to build the kind of future our students (and we all) deserve. As an executive board member, I will bring perspectives of hard lessons from our past and a strategic and future-oriented analysis to our leadership team, and support Mary Bravewoman, Alan D’Souza, Clare Heimer, and Robin Pugh as officers stepping into new roles and moving us forward. Vote Union Warriors slate!)

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Labor Council Delegate
Daniel Acosta Elkan

I humbly ask your support for the position of SF Labor Council delegate. I have been a part-time instructor in Latin American & Latina/o/e/x Studies at CCSF since 2018, and have been an organizer for higher education affordability, Ethnic Studies education and other social justice issues. As your labor council delegate, my main goals would be to facilitate unity among our labor allies and find ways of pushing back against the downsizing and junior college agendas of CCSF and statewide community college administration. Doing this in the Labor Council will require effective and collegial representation of AFT membership and leadership, and a willingness to step up for our labor allies when called upon. I am a coalition-builder and an effective strategic thinker. Through solidarity, there is strength!)

Labor Council Delegate
Adele Failes Carpenter

I am a CCSF alumnae who has been teaching Women’s and Gender Studies and coordinating student-led sexual violence prevention programs at the college for the last five years. I have also been serving as your union’s political director since Spring 2021. During that time, I’ve worked closely with our labor siblings throughout the City to build alternatives to the downsizing of our college by fighting layoffs, advancing revenue proposals, and building labor solidarity and political support for our members, our college, and for public education. I am regularly present in Labor Council spaces and would like to further represent our union as one of AFT 2121’s Labor Council Delegates.)

Labor Council Delegate
Tehmina Khan

As a faculty member, union rep, current executive board member, and grievance officer, I strive to embody an ethic of love and social justice. As the author of “The Heartbeat of City College,” I bring poetry to union leadership. I am committed to facilitating a culture of liberation in our union as well as in our college as a whole, so that the truth can set all of us free. Vote Union Warriors!)

Labor Council Delegate
Galina Gerasimova

Hi, my name is Galina Gerasimova. I am a part-time instructor at the Disabled Students Programs and Services and the AFT 2121 Precinct 22 representative. I would like to continue representing our Union and its members as a SF Labor Council delegate. The SF Labor Council (SFLC) plays a very important role in the fight for economic rights and justice. It has been an honor to be an elected delegate and represent our college in building workers power through union and community organizing, political education and actions, and working together with other SFLC delegates to improve working conditions and safety for all workers. It would be an honor to be able to continue representing AFT Local 2121 and, together with SF communities and other unions represented by the SF Labor Council, to continue the fight against budget cuts and the downsizing of CCSF, and to work toward restoring many lost classes and faculty jobs. Thank you for your consideration.

Labor Council Delegate
Rick Baum

By voting for me for the SF Labor Council, you are showing you favor: 1. Uniting workers to engage in grassroots struggles so we can fight for our interests and end the for-profit system that is destructive of the environment and perpetuates racism, sexism and other forms of discrimination while serving the interests of the rich, 2. Ending two-tier contracts in which equally qualified people doing the same work as others are paid significantly less as is the case for those teaching part-time. see my article at: https://www.counterpunch.org/2021/12/27/how-exploited-job-insecure-part-time-faculty-get-screwed-at-progressive-city-college-of-san-francisco/ 3. Not endorsing politicians running for office who have repeatedly demonstrated little interest in fighting for the needs and interests of workers beyond uttering nice sounding rhetoric, 4. Informing members about Labor Council decisions and what it is willing to do to mobilize workers to stop the downsizing of CCSF. Thanks

Labor Council Delegate
Alan D’Souza

I have been a delegate to the SF Labor Council over the past decade and have had the privilege of working with labor groups on and off campus building power through coalition. Additionally, my experience on SFLC Executive Committee has broadened my understanding of SF labor and development of solidarity with workers throughout the city. I would be honored to serve again and continue to forge AFT 2121’s relationships with SF labor & community groups.

Labor Council Delegate
Alisa Messer

The San Francisco Labor Council is a primary place for AFT 2121 to build with our labor siblings throughout the Bay Area and beyond. Labor Council and its affiliates have offered solidarity and support for CCSF and our members, up to and including sponsoring Free City and its funding, supporting our successful campaign to defend against the ACCJC, and, crucially, sanctioning our 2016 one-day ULP strike, when so many labor unions and their members stood with 2121 faculty in the rain. As a former Executive Council member and former VP for SFLC, I hope my colleagues will continue to support my participation as a delegate.

Labor Council Delegate
Malaika Finkelstein

At San Francisco Labor Council, AFT 2121 has the opportunity to work with labor delegates from around the City. The relationships we have forged at labor council have been crucial to our victories over the years. This is important work for our power at CCSF and the power of all workers. Our delegates must be coalition-builders. I would be honored to continue to serve as Labor Council delegate.

Labor Council Delegate
Susanna Atwood

I believe the fact that I volunteer in electoral campaigns in SF will complement my ability to represent AFT2121 in the Labor Council. I am a retiree for 8 years, after teaching part time in the Business Department for 13 years. I am currently the Treasurer in the retiree chapter of AFT2121.

Labor Council Delegate
Tim Killikelly

I would be greatly honored to have your vote for Labor Council Delegate. In recent years, everytime our Union moves forward we are greeted with a new crisis: The Accreditation Crisis; Loss of enrollment; Cuts in classes; Salary concessions. But each crisis has also brought us victories – if we stick together: The ACCJC – we prevailed; Free City created for students; Contract victories in 2016 and 2018. Each time our resolve, solidarity and planning won out. The next crisis of Downsizing and Layoffs is upon us. If we stick together – I’m looking forward to more victories ahead. Please remember to vote for the Union Warriors slate. They have the commitment and experience to move the college forward.

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AFT National Convention Delegate
Joe Berry

AFT national convention delegate: I have represented AFT2121 in the past to especially represent the interests of contingent faculty and the need for an anti-racism lens for all that we do. I will make a public report if elected.

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Precinct Representative (Delegate Assembly, Precinct 4)
Constance Conner

I believe it is important for CS & CNIT to have representation with AFT2121. I hope you will support my candidacy for your Precinct #4 Representative.

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Precinct Representative (Delegate Assembly, Precinct 10)
Patricia Nunley

My name is Patricia Nunley. I am running for the position of Delegate for my Child Development Department. Dr. Nunley to my students, Dr. P/Black Mama to CCSF Rainbow Family, Patricia to colleagues, and daughter to my ancestor father a CCSF custodian. My intersecting identities position me as the ideal candidate for representation across employment status (freeway flier and tenure), race (global majority that is a USA & CCSF minority), sex and gender (cisgender ally), education (1st generation doctorate degree and CCSF alumni), pedagogy (African Ubuntu, Queer Theory, Social Justice, and Praxis), student:teacher relationship (social constructivist, student centered), and leadership (AFT2121 Affirmative Action Task Force, College Accreditation, ECE Discipline locally, nationally, and internationally). In this role I will employ my demonstrated expertise in working inside and outside the college, as well as up, down, across, between, and within the college cultures and departments.

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Precinct Representative (Delegate Assembly, Precinct 11)
Harry Bernstein

I’m seeking another term as Precinct Representative for Precinct 11; I’d be pleased to have your support. Part of the union effort must be to demand honest dealing and transparency from the administration, enabling us to know more dependably about our financial situation. Changing budget figures, omitting revenues on the balance sheet, over-dependence on consultants, paying monies in advance so less monies available to restore our reduced salaries—these issues have affected the faculty and the College. There’s a need to increase the salary of full-time faculty while part-time faculty deserve greater equity with their earnings constrained by a two-tier contract and the inherent instability of part-timer status during downsizing. In addition, I continue to support the much needed performing arts center, but with its faculty. And once the strike has succeeded, I’ll push to give faculty a greater voice in determining future union priorities. Thank you.

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Precinct Representative (Delegate Assembly, Precinct 15)
Carla Crocomo

Communication is as important now as ever. After developing various ways to communicate with faculty, my goal is to continue to do so in an effective manner in order to elicit response from them as dictated by the events in these troubling times in our College. I’d like to continue to represent Ocean ESL and International so that we together may defend education for all and protect the rights for students and teachers, the heart of the College.

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Precinct Representative (Delegate Assembly, Precinct 17)
Alma Avila

My name is Alma Avila and I have been with CCSF and AFT 2121 since 2005. I am running for union rep position as our department has been without for a while and it’s time to step up. I am looking forward to representing those who may need help.

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Precinct Representative (Delegate Assembly, Precinct 23)
Stephen Brady

I would be happy to represent the Evans center as the AFT2121 union rep for the next year. As well as representing our members, attending all of the many union meetings and activities, I have been fighting hard and putting in many hours to try to persuade the administration to keep the airport program at the airport. I hope to continue this work and would be honored to represent you, our great Evans trade instructors, for another year. Thank you for your support, Stephen Brady

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Precinct Representative (Delegate Assembly, Precinct 33)
Armen Hovhannes

I’ve served as the rep for Precinct 33 for the last two years. With support from Carolyn, our previous fearless precinct rep, I’ve learned a lot about how to best serve my precinct siblings. My heart and soul are in the union and the struggle for worker’s rights. I want to keep up the fight against the downsizing of our community college. I’m also here to support you with any questions or issues you may have about your employment at CCSF.

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Precinct Representative (Delegate Assembly, Precinct 34)
Marcia Weisbrot

It’s been an honor and a privilege to represent precinct 34 and with your support, I would like to continue to be your representative. Now, more than ever, we need to be active and vigilant to protect City College. Together we can do this!

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Precinct Representative (Delegate Assembly, Precinct 38)
Tanichya Wongprasert

It will be an honor to continue representing my precinct for another term.

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Retiree Chapter Chair
Ann Killebrew

Now more than ever we are facing a critical moment with threats to our students hopes and dreams. The persistent CCSF Administration decisions to cut classes, to lay off faculty, and to make early and unnecessary expenditures are being countered by our active AFT 2121 members. Our Retiree members also continue to work on multiple issues as continuing members of AFT 2121 and affiliate organizations. I am a candidate for the office of Chair for the AFT 2121 Retiree Chapter to continue enlarging this vehicle: The AFT 2121 Retiree Chapter, as the means for retiring faculty to continue union work affiliating with multiple other organizations. Since 2010 our chapter numbers have grown from 3 to over 200 ( not all are active). As chapter chair, I will work to enroll each retiring faculty member into our retiree chapter. I will gratefully appreciate your vote for the office of AFT 2121 Retiree Chapter Chair . Thank you.

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Retiree Chapter Vice- Chair
Susana Atwood

Retiree Chapter Vice-Chair: I wish to continue to serve the retiree chapter in a leadership role. I have just completed two years as Treasurer and would like to serve the next two years as Vice-Chair.) 

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Retiree Chapter Treasurer
Guy DePrimo

Dear Colleagues, I announced I was not running to continue as your AFT 2121 Retiree Chapter Secretary, as my time commitments at Church have grown. I was nominated for the position of Treasurer, a position requiring a smaller time commitment. With encouragement from others, I accepted the nomination. Here is what you would be getting if you vote for me: Pro or con? I did not seek this position. Con: I cannot provide leadership and support for electing Democrats – it has to do with me being pro-life. Pro: Your Executive Board members appear to value my continued involvement. It was they who encouraged me. Pro: I have past experience, as Treasurer for the California Mathematics Council, Community Colleges. Pro: I am hard-working, detail oriented, and honest. Pro: It is my nature that once I say yes, I do my best. I offer myself to you for the position of Retiree Chapter Treasurer. Blessings, Guy De Primo

Election Forms

• Nomination Form for Officers, Executive Board & Labor Council
• Precinct Rep Nomination Form
• Instructions to create a petition to add an initiative to the AFT 2121 Election Ballot proposing a change to the AFT 2121 constitution & by-laws
• AFT 2121 Presidential Candidate Statement Form
• AFT 2121 Non-Presidential Candidate Statement Form

2022-2024 AFT 2121 Election Timeline
(Affirmed by Election Commission 2/17/22)

Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022

• Election of AFT 2121 Election Commission by Delegate Assembly 
• Review and adoption of Election Timeline by Delegate Assembly

Tuesday, March 1, 2022

• Send out by email:
  • Executive Board nomination form (link)
  • Precinct Representative nomination form (link)
  • Guidelines for collecting signatures for ballot measures (link)
  • Lists of eligible members (link)
  • Election calendar information (in body of email)
  • Reminder of G.M. meeting (in body of email)

Friday-Tuesday, March 4-7, 2022

• Mar. 4: Proposed amendments to the Const./Bylaws due
• Mar. 7: Send out by email proposed amendments to the Const./Bylaws w/ G.M. minutes/agenda

Friday, March 18, 2022

• Nomination forms due

Tuesday, March 22, 2022

• Nominations from the floor of the G.M. meeting

Wednesday, March 23, 2022

• Start notifying nominees of their nominations

Wednesday, April 6, 2022

• Deadline for nomination acceptance
• Deadline for “member in good standing” $5/mo dues for members with rehire rights
• Deadline for Retiree Chapter member in good standing list
• Candidate statements due                                                 

Monday-Friday, April 11-15, 2022

• Preparation of election materials 

Monday, April 18, 2022

• Election Launch

Monday, May 2, 2022

• Conclusion of election

Who is eligible?
Department chairs and program supervisors may not serve as officers, executive board members, or precinct representatives. Otherwise, all members who have been in good standing for at least one year are eligible to run for President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Rep-at-Large on the Executive Board, as representatives of their precincts, and/or as Labor Council delegate.

If I’m retired, laid off, or on leave, can I still vote?
AFT 2121 Retiree Chapter members are eligible to vote in the upcoming AFT 2121 elections provided they are current in paying dues ($60/year).

Current faculty on unpaid leave or part-time faculty who are laid off (with recall rights) need to pay $5/month dues to remain in good standing and eligible to vote. Contact us with any questions aft@aft2121.org.

Correct Your Email Address
Members will be sent voting instructions to their email addresses. Members will then access a remote, secure voting site to cast their ballot using a unique member number. If you’re not sure if we have your correct email address please be sure that our union has your current email address. 

Decline Release of Information
Candidates for office will have access to members’ addresses and phone numbers strictly for the purpose of campaigning in this Union election. If you do not want your address and phone number released to candidates for Union office, please email us at aft@aft2121.org indicating that you do not wish to release your address and phone number to candidates for Union office by March 22, 2022.

Candidates, Candidate Statements

1) Each candidate is entitled to a statement to be included in the sending of the ballots to the membership by electronic URL link. We will also post them at the AFT 2121 website in the Elections section (https://www.aft2121.org/elections/).

2) Due date for candidate statements: Thursday, April 6, 2022

3) Fill out this form to submit your statement if you are running for a Non-Presidential office: https://forms.gle/6TWuENvAb5aDj3jZ8

4) Fill out this form to submit your statement if you are running for President: https://forms.gle/fQ6cSNVpJi2eXvwk8

5) Each statement is limited to 1000 characters except for presidential candidates, for whom 1500 characters are allowed.

6) Candidates are allowed to provide a link in their statement to a page containing more information.