Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1505501
HARTNELL COLLEGE: Faculty organizes as negotiations drag Members of Hartnell College Faculty Association (HCFA) are organizing as negotiations drag on despite the com- munity college district having the resources to show that faculty are a priority for Hartnell. Working on an expired contract for a year, HCFA is call- ing on Hartnell management to reach a fair settlement for faculty and staff that considers the high cost of living in the Monterey County region, and the lack of competitive pay for faculty. Of the "Central 14" community colleges (those in the Central Valley region), Hartnell faculty salaries rank at or near the bottom in every benchmark, despite the college being in one of the most expensive areas. Among the "Bay 10" community colleges (those in the Bay Area), faculty sal- aries at Hartnell rank last in each benchmark. " We have faculty giving 110 percent and the district can't even grant us the state-allotted 8% cost of living allow- ance. We are frustrated and losing faculty," said HCFA President Nancy Schur-Beymer, who teaches nursing at Hartnell College. " While our neighbors in the colleges and local school districts are receiving substantial raises, our requests for the same are being discounted. Our faculty are really strug- gling, and we need more than thanks. Our students deserve much more than this." members can fix things on their own — and with their union. We empower each other." Her plans call for going to every school site to hear from members and strategize together to fight for the schools Natomas students deserve. " The most import- ant thing I can do as a leader is to spend time at every school site and show my respect for the power of educators at every site so that we can build a stronger union. I'm a high school history teacher. My vice pres- ident, Rachel Green, is a kindergarten teacher. She's amazing. I want to see what the day looks like for my colleagues and make decisions together." Harvey started teaching in Natomas 20 years ago during a controversial time when teachers were dealing with anti-union managers. Times were tough in the community. A lot of folks had lost hope that things could improve. This past school year proved that change is possible when edu- cators come together in their union. Harvey prefers to concentrate on moving forward, say- ing she's excited about the new superintendent, and sees positive change for the district. "It doesn't matter who the NTA members show support for a winning candidate in last fall's school board election. Natomas, Continued from Page 47 superintendent is, what matters is that our community supports our students," Harvey said. "I'm looking forward to working with our new superintendent — she has a new style of running things. A superintendent's job is to support teach- ers. In our union, we can make sure that happens." 49 A U G U S T / S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 3