CFAC Bargaining Update
CFAC NEWS 7 December 2023
CFAC, Local 6602, IFT-AFT/AFL-CIO
CFAC News & Updates
OUR UNION
OUR FUTURE
Despite the administration's efforts to stall the involvement of a federal mediator, we entered negotiations on Sunday, December 3rd, believing a resolution was within reach. We anticipated the college would at least attempt to make some movement on critical issues such as the restoration of classes and class sizes—issues they have been unwilling to address.
Regrettably, after days of discussions, we received no counteroffers from the administration. This raised serious concerns about the purpose of the mediator's involvement. Even the mediator himself expressed reservations, suggesting that his presence might be a delay tactic to create the illusion of the college's willingness to negotiate.
We share your frustration at what appears to be a public relations move on the part of the administration, indicating a lack of genuine intent to engage in meaningful bargaining. This situation is deeply troubling for all parties involved.
Adding to the complexity, Wednesday's developments have heightened our concerns. Shortly after an interview on WBEZ's reset where the Provost struggled to provide clear and direct answers to Sasha-Ann Simons' questions, the administration came back to the table with a regressive proposal, rolling back on agreements that took weeks of hard work to secure. After expressing frustration with the delay in bargaining, the union indicated a possible return to work. Then, the administration sent an email to our faculty and students blaming the union President directly and stating that no one on strike would return for the fall and threatening our return for spring.
The administration is:
Escalating their use of legal tactics to stall our bargaining efforts
Leaving out faculty who want to return to work
Forcing students into substandard classes or classes that aren't meeting at all and intentionally trying to blame the union
Using tuition dollars to harm students and faculty while continuing to collect six-figure salaries
According to our attorney Robert Bloch, the email the administration sent on December 6th constitutes two additional unfair labor practices.
ULP 1: The administration presented a regressive contract offer. This is a violation of labor law.
ULP 2: The administration's email states: "At this late date in the semester, there cannot be a return of striking part-faculty as a group." This is a violation of labor law.
This is the basis of the charge:
In response to the administration’s email of December 6th, Robert Bloch prepared the following statement:
"The current Columbia College Administration is a serial and recidivist labor law violator.
The College seeks to project an image of normalcy, but everyone – students, faculty and parents – knows that the College has chosen to degrade student instruction rather than bargain in good faith with its part-time faculty for a fair agreement.
Yesterday, the College illegally locked out its part-time faculty, thus compounding its own problems, and it continues to block faculty communications while spreading lies regarding faculty and student needs and its own illegal misdeeds.
The College knows that its current course of action endangers the survival of the institution."
We are witnessing what can only be described as union busting. Our demands are not unreasonable, and we are committed to achieving a fair resolution. It is disheartening to witness the administration backtrack on commitments and engage in tactics that undermine the bargaining process at the expense of everyone involved.
We never expected that the college would be willing to lose the entire semester, but their actions at the bargaining table and in their communications show they are. But they are causing enormous harm: both to us and to them. They are hurting. This strike is longer and harder than expected, but we will ultimately prevail.
We never should have had to go out on strike. This administration is on the offensive, and they are trying to intimidate us into giving up. But we will not give up.
Our members and students have been heroic. With this kind of employer, these battles take strength and effort to win. But SAG-AFTRA, the WGA, and the UAW show us that we can and must continue.