Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1476161
RANCHO SANTIAGO: Mediation after faculty reject district's final offer Faculty Association of Rancho Santiago Commu- nity College District (FARSCCD) members began mediation with community college district officials in June, with members rallying outside the district office in Santa Ana. FARSCCD members overwhelmingly rejected the district's last, best and final offer in spring, which does not include a fully funded Cost of Living Adjust- ment (COLA). District management is offering only 4 percent, withholding the additional COLA funding from the state. FARSCCD also called the proposed increase to counselors' student contact time without commensurate increase to pay "unacceptable." "Without full COLA increases, surrounding com- munity college districts will encroach on our faculty with higher salaries and better benefits," said Morrie Barembaum, FARSCCD president. " Without full COLA increases, surrounding community college districts will encroach on our faculty with higher salaries and better benefits." — FARSCCD President Morrie Barembaum PALMDALE: Charter educators win first MOU since unionizing Palmdale Aerospace Teachers Association (PATA) reached their first memorandum of understanding (MOU) since they unionized in February 2022. The MOU is regarding the 2022 summer school program. It included: • 30 percent increase to staff 's hourly rate; • clarification of the number of contracted hours to be provided by bargaining unit members; • securing one day of sick pay with the option to be bought back for $260 at the end of summer school. PATA also reached a second MOU that awarded members a $3,000 one-time off-schedule bonus for their hard work and dedication to the students of the Palmdale Aerospace Academy during the 2021- 22 school year. PATA has developed a bargaining platform that is being rolled out to members and anticipates beginning initial contract negotiations this fall. 36 cta.org Advocacy Bargaining Roundup Compiled by Julian Peeples