By Dale Martin
 |
| CTA Secretary-Treasurer Dean E. Vogel joins CTA Board member Dián Hasson and CCFA President John Fincher at the rally in Glendora. |
Citrus College instructors were joined by CTA Secretary-Treasurer Dean E. Vogel and other statewide union leaders in a recent demonstration of support for a fair contract that provides adequate salary and benefits.
“We’re now the lowest-paid community college faculty in our area, and we’re losing good instructors to other districts as a result,” says John Fincher, president of the Citrus College Faculty Association, which represents more than 170 full-time faculty in Glendora. “This doesn’t just affect our faculty, it affects our students.”
While the college faculty is fighting the district for a decent raise, the salary of Citrus College administrators is ranked in the top 5 percent in the state.
During prolonged negotiations, the Citrus College administration has offered faculty a proposal that is substantially less than the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) provided by the state in this year’s budget.
“In a year when community colleges received over 13 percent in new money, Citrus College faculty deserves more than COLA minus 1 percent,” said Community College Association President Carolyn Inmon at the rally.
“California’s community college instructors are the ones who provide the trained and educated workforce for a strong economy,” said Vogel. “With the increase in state funding for our community colleges this year, districts should be channeling more money into our classrooms, and ensuring that we continue to attract and retain quality faculty.”
Also lending their support were NEA Board member VirginiaAnn Shadwick and CTA Board member Dián Hasson, both of whom represent higher education.