CCA’s Winter Conference, attended by 135 delegates and attended by 200 total members, highlighted advocacy in addition to lobbying and contract enforcement issues. Among training sessions ranging from bargaining to organizing for rehire rights and seniority language, the Grievance Academy and the California Leadership Academy (CLA) were also offered this year. CCA also added a Winter Council to the Winter Conference this year, so going forward all three CCA conferences will include a Council session. This year’s Grievance Academy was led by CTA staff Marianne Reynolds and Justin Arnold. Members learned the ins and outs of handling grievances on behalf of their chapters.
Members of the Rio Hondo College Faculty Association
“We appreciate chapters identifying, supporting and encouraging member-leaders to attend the Grievance Academy among all that CCA/CTA/NEA offers. Members learn from each other—in addition to staff—and together we build skills, community and solidarity which are key ingredients in maintaining the union movement. We are humbled to serve the cause and look forward to forthcoming opportunities,” said Arnold.
“As staff, we are thrilled that so many faculty leaders want to take the time to learn how to use the grievance process to advocate for faculty and advance the agenda of the local. We hope that every local gets a chance to send new and experienced teams to the Grievance Academy to sharpen their skills around contract enforcement,” said Reynolds.
From left to right: Dorothy Reina, Riverside Community College District Faculty Association and Trevor Gatz, San Joaquin Delta College Teachers Association
“I’ve learned a whole lot. I’ve learned about the precision of language, spoken as well as written. And I just want to make sure I’m doing it right. I would like to bring back a real solid procedure that’s in writing, so that it’s easier for the next person. I really believe in talking to each other and trying to solve issues. And that’s very important to me. You know, even if somebody is vastly different from me, all the more reason to try to figure out how you can come to some common ground. So that’s a big part of what pushes me. Also, I’m part-time and I feel like it’s one way for me to be more involved in the campus community because as a part-timer, you’re only there one or two days a week.”
–Amber Wallick, San Bernardino Community College District Teacher’s Association
“I’ve had some experience on the ground writing grievances and listening in on meetings, but I wanted to do a better job of it, so I came to get some training and learn what I had to learn. I hope to bring back an understanding of the process and hopefully some excellence in representing faculty and improving our school. For many years, I sat back and just taught philosophy and enjoyed the fruits of other people representing us, seeing the work from afar of what the union does and appreciating it from afar. I finally decided that it’s time to participate myself and put in the work.”
–Timothy Linehan, Sequoias Teachers Association
“I hope to speak to the board about problems that are evolving with our board of trustees. I intend to inform the negotiators about how the budget is shaping up and I would like to talk to my members about maybe starting a new position of DEI coordinator and manager that’s a part of our local, that’s a new idea.”
–Elizabeth Waterbury, Shasta College Faculty Association
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