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CSEA CONNECTION by Nidal Kobaissi, CSEA president |
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Incentives… Most people are satisfied knowing that they have done the right thing and are part of the solution. However, there is also a vocal minority that always seems to want to put something in their pockets for doing the right thing. What happened to taking pride in helping others, unity in the face of adversity and the old adage, “taking one for the team”?
Has this pride has been replaced with, “What’s in it for me?” or, “How much are you willing to pay me for that?” It appears that the team player concept at Glendale Community College is dead. Hopefully, it's just taking a nap. The question is: What will it take to wake up the positive team concept that seems to be absent here at the college? Recently, the campus community was faced with making an important decision about how to reallocate parking spaces during the construction of the new parking structure. There was a decision made move some classified off campus, and contrary to some people’s beliefs, it did go through the governance structure and was ultimately taken to the Board of Trustees. I know some people feel that because I work for the college police department, and hold the post of CSEA president, this would be a difficult thing for me to deal with or maybe a conflict of interest. I'll admit, this situation wasn't easy to deal with. Hard decisions had to be made. This process has taught me that whenever you take on a leadership role, no matter how hard you try, you just can’t please everyone. It comes down to doing what you know in your heart is the right thing to do. I guess that we all could have just crossed our fingers, prayed or gone on vacation for the next 15 months and hoped the parking situation would fix itself. But the plain and simple truth is that the college needs to free up 125 parking spaces, and the classified management and staff with fixed schedules were best suited for this parking relocation. I believe that most of the classified staff realize this, and understand that it presented an opportunity to be part of the solution to a difficult problem. I commend those of you for continuing to show that the spirit of cooperation is still alive and outweighs the voice of dissension. I would like to set the record straight and offer my feelings about the issue. I feel that everyone had ample time and opportunity to discuss, deliberate and participate in the process. The governance process was involved all the way, and ultimately the decision was made to ask the classified staff and managers to relocate their parking assignments to off-campus parking locations. The college had a problem that needed to be solved: how do we replace the 350 student spaces we are losing, and keep enough on-campus parking for adjunct faculty and employees with non-traditional work schedules. This problem needed to be addressed. I’ll be the first to admit that the parking relocation was implemented quickly, but we have been discussing this issue for months. Dr. Davitt had sent out an e-mail back in November about how our parking situation would change. The parking structure project was also delayed a few months until the college could show the Board of Trustees how the project would be funded. By the time the Board approved the project the college was left with very little lead time, because the bid had to be awarded before the legal deadline. Based on that timeframe, the parking survey was sent out, and the process began. Delaying the project any further would have resulted in the college paying more, due to the rapidly rising costs of construction. In this particular situation, monetary incentives are not appropriate. The college is providing ample time off, both at the beginning and end of the workday, and provides a shuttle to and from the campus throughout the day. We aren't being asked to take a pay cut or to pay for parking permits. We are participating in a solution, and being reasonably accommodated, to do what is needed to help the college maintain its mission of educating students. We should never demand money to do what is right. History has proven that we get better results when we all participate in our community and find ways to solve problems. Finger pointing and taking adversarial positions solves nothing. When the cafeteria was having problems, the employees were asked to make sacrifices and change the way they did business. Some folks had to change their schedules, while others voluntarily cut back their hours. But they worked together during these tough times and their solidarity has paid off for them. By being part of the solution today, and doing what is right, the classified staff have set an example of positive participation that will show our willingness to answer the call for help without the need for a monetary incentive. In this situation the real incentive is the new parking structure that will accommodate the needs of our staff and students. Then we can all say that we answered the call, did the right thing, and took one for the team. To the classified that have maintained a spirit of cooperation during this tough time, I commend you for your efforts and for your support. I know that it has required you to make some changes, and your willingness to adapt to this change is greatly appreciated and certainly recognized by the entire campus community. & |
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