UNEMPLOYMENT
Faculty who will not be teaching in spring quarter are eligible to receive unemployment benefits. Unemployment claims are filed with the California Employment Development Department (EDD). There is an excellent resource produced by John Govsky, a Cabrillo College part-time faculty member, that walks one through the entire application—with screen shots! This can be found here.
An important reminder: Those filing for unemployment need to give EDD the correct phone number. The number De Anza faculty should give is: 408-864-8711. Foothill faculty should give: 650-949-7625. When asked for your supervisor, give your dean’s name, but when asked for your employer’s phone number, be sure to use the number above.
Should your filing for unemployment benefits be rejected by EDD for any reason, contact me immediately to get help navigating the appeals process. It can be a long, laborious process, but the outcome (getting the benefits you are owed) is worth the appeal.
ORIENTATIONS
Between the two campuses, about 20 new part-time faculty hires received their orientation in the past week. Each campus offers an orientation for newly hired part-time faculty late in each quarter. If you missed an orientation when you were hired or would like a refresher orientation, please let me know, and I will ensure you are notified of the next orientation. (Part-time faculty are paid $50 hour for attending an orientation.)
ELECTIONS
In spring quarter, the Faculty Association will be holding its election for Executive Council members. The Executive Council is the body that directs the efforts of the FA in all matters regarding working conditions, salary, and benefits. You must be a member of the FA to vote in this election, so if you aren’t a member, now is a great time to sign up. You can do that here.
It should be noted that FA dues for Part-time faculty are only 0.45% of your gross pay or $4.50 per thousand dollars earned. This in contrast to the 3.5 to 4.5% being paid by members of the state or nationally affiliated educational unions. So, not only does FA have your back, but we do it without breaking the bank!
RATIFICATION
After many months of arduous work on the part of FA’s indefatigable Negotiation Team, spring quarter will also see the new three-year Agreement up for ratification. Ahead of the ratification vote, FA will host a couple of informational sessions explaining what is new in this Agreement, so be sure to check upcoming editions of the FA News for the days and times of those informational sessions. Only FA members can participate in the ratification vote.
Finally, a reminder that your FA is here for you, so should you have any questions, concerns, or issues related to working conditions, benefits, salary, unemployment or other issues that impinge on your ability to do your job, we have your back! All our contact information is on the FA homepage, and as noted, for the time being, the best way to reach me is by email.
