Hello Everyone, and welcome to our permanent section in this publication, the Part-Time News. Each issue we will have updates and content for part time faculty right here, curated by our part-time directors and other members.

In an effort to provide a larger forum for part-time faculty to discuss part-time issues including local and state bargaining campaigns dealing with everything from PT healthcare to pay parity, rehire rights, including legislation and advocacy campaigns, CCA invites you to be a part of our Part-time Faculty Visioning Sessions held on the third Tuesday of every month (9/16, 10/21, 11/18, 12/16, 1/20, 2/17, 3/17, 4/21, and 5/19) via zoom.

To attend, simply go to the CCA website at cc4us.org and go to the CCA Calendar. Click on the link provided at the day of the session and sign up. These are not just chat sessions. At each session information from bargaining tips, to model contract language, links to other Community College CBA’s, and advice for communicating with board members and others on union issues is provided. The session will also provide guests from key locals or other organizations engaged in part-time advocacy.

And of course, full-time faculty are always welcome and their input appreciated.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

– Geoff Johnson, At-Large Part-Time Director, South

Part-Time Voices

The Stakes: Higher Education Faculty Without Access to Healthcare

Frankie Martinez, a kinesiology instructor and assistant coach at Hartnell, a central coast community college, went without health insurance as a part-time faculty member. He endured pneumonia for two months.

“I had to decide how I was going to survive,” he told CCA Advocate recently, “I did what I could with over the counter.”

With cost of living skyrocketing in his central coast communities of Hollister, Watsonville, and Salinas, Martinez says part-time faculty have had a difficult time staying at Hartnell. Frankie was driving 45 minutes to teach, the commute becoming more of a challenge when he was ill with pneumonia.

But Martinez is committed to his role in the community, supporting students and athletes the way he was cared for in community college. “I see a lot of students that remind me of myself,” he says. “I want to make an impact and give back to the community I came from. My family has been here for 40 years.”

Before his union won part time healthcare coverage in their contract, Martinez suffered a knee injury which created huge challenges in his role as a kinesiology instructor and assistant coach. Frankie had to endure months of pain and difficulty walking before the union won. The victory at the bargaining table made the district contractually obligated to participate in the reimbursement program offered by the state, and finally he could seek treatment.

“After part timers got health insurance, and I finally had my knee surgery, I will never forget the time that I went up a first step without pain. It made me cry–and even now doing some things without pain is huge. It also means I can keep doing my job, which I love and I need to survive.”

More Voices:

How has your union winning healthcare equity affected you?

I am a mother of two: 15 mos & 3 y.o. After my youngest was born, working full-time became very difficult. It took a toll on my mental health. This of course this was hard on my family, because when mothers aren’t well, their families are impacted too.

I was offered a position at SWC and my only hope was that I would be offered medical coverage. If not, I would not be able to accept it because my husband’s insurance deduction would’ve quadrupled to a little over $1,300.00 a month which would not make sense financially for our family.

I was beyond elated to learn that I would not have to sacrifice the opportunity to work part-time due to not being able to afford my husband’s deductible. Offering health insurance to part-time employees, in my experience, increases self-worth, motivation as an employee and increased commitment towards my employer. I do not plan on leaving my job any time soon because of this. My quality of life has elevated in a way I could not have dreamed of as a mother two who has a job and career outside of the home.

– Alicia Arambula, Southwestern College

I can honestly say that this new healthcare benefit changed my life. Between my husband and I, I think we were paying $1000 a month in healthcare premiums. Having healthcare through the Grossmont Cuyamaca district not only meant peace of mind; it also meant that we felt financially secure enough to buy our first home and begin paying a mortgage. We are in our 40s. Being on district healthcare also reduced our co-pays which is important due to recent health issues. I can’t express how important this healthcare benefit is. I don’t know what we would do without it – possibly lose our home.

– Anonymous PT member, Southwestern College