CHAPARRAL

CSEA CONNECTION

by Abe Barakat, CSEA treasurer

IN THE MIDST OF CHANGE!

I want to thank all of those individuals on the BBQ/appreciation for Dr. Davitt committee for a job well done.  I did, however, speak to an individual or two who told me of their unfortunate experiences when they came toward the end of the afternoon, and I must really apologize to them.  But, all in all it was a splendiferous happening and I think we all can be proud of our honoring Dr. D.

So, where are we?
     This question must be on the minds of most of the classified staff here at GCC. CHANGE--what a word!  It brings to mind confusion, bewilderment, challenge, and the constant question of how will all of these new changes affect me and my job? I don’t know about you, but I can feel the unease in the atmosphere around campus. Just the other day, someone came up to me and said, “I feel that they are trying to force me out” (meaning that they are trying to force me to retire).  This is not the case, and I think, especially when so many long-time classified staff are leaving, those who are staying will hold even more importance than before.

     I think we must look at our own individual areas and see how the changes will affect us.  As I pondered my area I didn’t see much change, at least not for now and the next couple of years. But, unless I made a concerted effort to think about just the effect on me, the overall emotion was kind of like panic–oh my gosh, all hell is going to break loose and I may be lost in the shuffle.

     “Change”-- this word, all by itself, without attaching any emotions to it, is at times difficult to swallow.  But we are these days in constant change, and this will continue as technology becomes more and more a part of our lives. 

     Labor is under attack in America and CSEA, being part of the AFL/CIO, is a member of the labor movement in the defense of our jobs, our way of life, the educating of our children, our health and overall well-being.  It is up to us to stand up and NOT allow the changes to overtake us.  We here at GCC have an opportunity to assist in the changes to come.  We have to be pro-active and positive in our approach.  This effort must be as a whole unit.  You cannot depend on any single individual to protect your rights and to maintain the overall standard which we have come to expect. Your association (union) is very important and your involvement is critical if we are to influence the decisions that affect our jobs. Now is the time for YOU to be involved, volunteer to be on a governance committee, come to CSEA meetings, ask questions, vote, discuss, be something as simple as a person in your department or area who can answer questions, bring issues to a meeting or talk to a member of the executive board about them.  We are in a state of flux. WE have to move with the times and we have to take charge of the process of change, or we will be swept up in it as if in a whirlpool. &

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