Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1518807
" This is a huge victory for doing things radically different when it comes to tackling homelessness. (It's) the biggest change Califor- nia has seen in decades," Gov. Gavin Newsom tweeted when the results became apparent. "Now it's time to get to work — repairing the damage caused by decades of broken promises and neglect to those suffering from severe mental illness." Tse thanked CTA members and local associations for the support during his campaign, saying that victory in November will require all educators getting involved to win for our students and public schools. Normand was also grateful for member and allies' support. "Winning doesn't happen in a vacuum. I am incredibly thankful for all the support I received from CTA members, labor allies and those in community — every dollar, door-knock, social media post, one-on-one conversation, and of course, every vote that was cast," Normand said. " This was a collaborative win. My seat is unique in that it is decided in the primary, but I want to urge us all to keep the momen- tum for the 2,000-plus school board elections to be determined in November. Together, we win." Keep up with the latest on Election 2024 at cta.org/election. "I want to urge us all to keep the momentum for the 2,000-plus school board elections to be determined in November. Together, we win." —CTA Board Member Angela Normand Legal Victory for Part-Time Long Beach City College Instructors Suit alleging violation of minimum wage laws becomes a class action lawsuit I N A V I C T O R Y for CTA, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge ruled that a lawsuit brought by two part-time instructors against the Long Beach Community College Dis- trict over its failure to pay part-time staff a minimum wage for required work can now proceed as a certified class action lawsuit. The March 27 ruling expands the class represented in the suit, paving the way to include more than 900 other impacted adjunct faculty. The suit was originally filed in April 2022 by Visual Arts Department instructors and Community College Association members Karen Roberts and Seija Rohkea. The plaintiffs alleged that the College violated state and federal minimum wage laws by failing to compensate part-time instructors for all required work outside of lecture hours, including grading, class and syllabi preparation, administrative duties and stu- dent office hours. Long Beach Community College adjunct faculty have been compensated only for their actual time teaching a class, an issue that the adjunct faculty 's union has tried to have LBCC address at the bargaining table repeatedly without success. "I'm relieved and excited," said Roberts about the ruling. "I deeply appreciate that the judge took into account all we do as adjunct faculty." The suit is seeking back pay plus interest, missing retirement system contributions for unpaid wages, a court declaration and injunction requiring LBCC to pay its part- time faculty for all hours worked, and any other penalties available under law. "We are in solidarity with our part-time faculty," said Long Beach City College Faculty Association President Suzanne Engelhardt. "We look forward to this case moving forward and to our colleagues getting the pay they deserve." No trial date has been set. The judge ordered the parties to confer about issues including class notification, possible mediation or settlement negotiation. Both sides will update the judge on June 25. 41 A P R I L / M AY 2 0 24