Part-time faculty from throughout the state hit the ground running this week with a series of events in recognition of Campus Equity Week. El Camino Federation of Teachers members (pictured above) took part in daily events, which included workshops, volunteering, and storytelling, in order to highlight the difficult working conditions for part-time faculty and the deleterious impact those working conditions have on students' learning. But according to El Camino Federation of Teachers president Kesley Iino, the events were about much more than highlighting the issues. “Campus Equity Week is really about strengthening partnerships on our campus, so that we can make a difference in changing these conditions,” she said.
In Fresno, members of the State Center Federation of Teachers recognized the week of action with a panel discussion on the working conditions of part-time faculty titled, “A History of Unfairness: Professors in Poverty,” which highlighted the difficult working conditions adjunct faculty face while educating one of the poorest communities in the country. The event received a great write up in the Fresno Bee.
And in San Francisco, University of San Francisco part time faculty were featured on their university’s student run television station to explain what they are fighting for in current contract talks, including fair pay, stable and affordable healthcare, and job security and advancement.
CFT launches campaign to secure healthcare for part-time faculty
As Campus Equity Week comes to a close, this week CFT is formally launching a statewide campaign for part-time faculty. The campaign, which will begin with an effort to secure healthcare for part-time faculty, is already up and running.
CFT surveyed part-time faculty members before the lockdown in early 2020; the results revealed that over 73% of respondents thought the establishment of a statewide pool for healthcare was either important or very important.
According to CFT President Jeff Freitas, the coordinated effort is about “efforts matching actions.”
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