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Democratic
and effective—
that’s our union!
by Mark Maier, 1st Vice President, GCC Guild
One
of
the major reasons I enjoy teaching at Glendale College is the dynamics
of our Guild. It is a pleasure to attend union meetings, and I almost
always agree with the Guild’s impact on college affairs. Unlike other
colleges where I’ve worked, GCC is remarkable for the large turnout at
our monthly meetings, the relative lack of discord between groups within
the faculty, and the access we enjoy with administrators. Before I’m
accused of being a Pollyanna, I know we can do better. But remember:
there are other community colleges with no regular meetings and a deaf
ear from the administration.
Nearly thirty years ago, a dedicated core of union supporters
convinced a faculty majority to vote to establish the Guild. We were
allowed to do so under California’s 1975 Educational Employment
Relations Act (EERA) that first established true collective bargaining
for teachers in K-12 plus community colleges (It was followed four years
later with a similar act, the Higher Education Employer-Employee
Relations Act, for the UCs and CSUs).
These laws, plus the National Labor Relations Act for private
sector workers, set strict standards for democratic participation in
unions that do not exist for any other institution outside of
government. Imagine if corporations, religious groups or other private
groups were held similarly accountable to the democratic conventions
that, in principle, must be followed by unions.
At Glendale our bargaining unit includes all full and part-time
faculty in which everyone has full voting rights, excluding only those
whose primary duties require an administrative or supervisory
credential. Guild financial records are available to union members
(article 7 of the EERA). By our constitution and bylaws members must
vote on all significant contract changes, dues increases, and “any
actions that constitute a change in the structure or functioning of the
Guild as an organization.” We have a unique provision to encourage
members to prioritize the items brought to the table for bargaining.
And, these bargaining proposals must be sunshined for public comment
well in advance of negotiations with the District (article 8 of the EERA).
Under state law, our union has responsibilities. We are
required to “fairly represent each and every employee” regardless of
their willingness to join the union (article 5 of the EERA.) That may
mean protection even if it requires legal expense. Several years ago the
Guild decided (in an election, of course) to extend a full fair share
service fee to everyone covered in the bargaining unit, an option
permitted in the EERA as long as we allow for religious exemptions and
we give the option for non-members to reduce their fee by the small
amount spent on certain items, most notably non-contract related
political activity.
Of course, we don’t always live up to these lofty ideals.
Sometimes Guild officers are unfamiliar with our own constitution and
bylaws and inadvertently fail to consult the members as we should.
However, I think the Guild does a good job of communicating with its
membership and inviting grass roots participation. Lynn McMurrey is to be applauded for putting the Guild on
line with e-News so that we are quickly abreast of the latest
developments. Not all Guild decisions are popular, but in my experience,
little occurs out of public scrutiny by our members.
At times I hear the Guild described in distant terms: “the
Guild will make us do it” or “they won’t allow it.” In fact,
unlike any other organization, we, the faculty, are the Guild. However,
if we expect our Guild to continue its success, we need greater
participation by our members. Unfortunately, we sometimes have trouble
finding new blood to run for union office. If you are interested in
seeing our union in action, visit a Guild executive meeting. Or, call
Arlene in the Governance Office (5393) to ask how you can serve as a
Guild representative in campus governance. The law and tradition give us
the possibility of a democratic and effective union; it’s up to us to
take up the challenge. &
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