United Faculty of Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community Colleges

Ten Quick Points

or

Why Our Union Should Remain an Independent Union

UF is an Independent union and/or bargaining agent for the faculty. Independent in this case means "Independent" from major educational unions representing (in some cases) millions of members. Representative examples are the California Teacher's Association (CTA) an affiliate of the National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). These are large organizations working to serve the interests of many diverse institutions, millions of members, and many locals. As such, we believe that they are not responsive to nor able to dynamically adjust to a single individual or group of union members. Following are "Ten Quick Points" presented in the 12/2008 edition of the Sentinel and reproduced here which address the central question of "Why We Should Remain Independent!".

1. United Faculty believes that respect for the unique culture made up of the faculty at Cuyamaca and Grossmont campuses is foremost. The elected representatives of United Faculty know our own campuses and what is best for them at any given time. AFT and/or CTA affiliation diminishes the importance of the local culture.

2. Our members owe no allegiance to a parent organization (AFL-CIO or NEA). Local organizational decisions are entirely autonomous. AFT and/or CTA affiliated unions must compete with the interests of K-12 and/or Classified employees.

3. CCCI (California Community College Independents), our statewide association, represents community college interests only. CTA and/or AFT affiliated unions must compete with the interests of K-12 and/or Classified employees.

4. United Faculty has complete control over our local dues structure. Decisions about how to use those dues is absolutely local as well. This includes our ability to amass and spend PAC funds on governing board elections as we deem appropriate.

5. UF dues are at least half (and often much less) of those imposed by AFT and/or CTA affiliated organizations (see dues comparison in the Sentinel and/or viewgraphs). Further, our dues stay with us and are used for our exclusive purposes. A significant portion of AFT and/or CTA dues are sent away from the local bargaining agent to be used for issues out of the control of the local union.

6. CCCI has no bureaucracy to wade through when members ask for help and support. AFT and/or CTA have extensive bureaucratic layers to navigate when any request is made for assistance. One of the most common complaints against AFT and/or CTA is that assistance to the local level takes too much time or never comes.

7. United Faculty retains our own legal counsel and we are free to use whatever monies we choose on legal advice. Our attorney is available each and every day to provide the best legal representation for United Faculty.

8. CCCI devotes significant time to sharing information on negotiations and to offering as much guidance and help as our members request.

9. In addition to a website and a newsletter, CCCI has an email list-serve that provides quick access for our organization and a discussion forum for members.

10. CCCI is a member of the Council of Faculty Organizations, a statewide council, and has a liaison to the Academic Senate of California Community Colleges. CCCI has a seat on the Consultation Council, the advisory body to the CCC Board of Governors.

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The following are article "teasers" addressing current and/or important topics. Read the teaser and to see more click on the story heading link. (The blue text.)

Purpose The purpose of UF is to maintain and improve the salary, benefits, and working conditions of all GCCCD faculty. As such, ...	What Your Union Does UF is the sole bargaining agent and representative for all certificated faculty members ....
Negotiations Never Ending In order to formulate negotiation issues and to negotiate the terms of our contract, UF fields a negotiating team composed of members of the UF Steering Committee. Their charge ...	Faculty RightsAccording to AAUP, Faculty Rights run the gamut from the right of free speech and assembly, to ...
The Benefits ChallengeThe biggest challenge facing faculty in the area of Benefits is to get the district to pay all benefits costs for all faculty. This is a challenge everywhere! The level of benefits ...	How does United Faculty Stack Up? How does UF stack up against AFT and/or CTA affiliated unions when it comes to dues, salary, and benefits? Check out this viewgraph presentation to see that UF IS THE CLEAR WINNER!