February 26, 2002

INTEGRITY
“Pasadena City College rightfully enjoys a reputation as one of the nation’s premier community colleges. For over seventy-five years the college has provided the citizens of our community with the very best two-year college instruction prior to transfer to a four-year institution, or in direct preparation for entry into gainful employment. Almost every family in our community has had at least one member who has benefited from an instruction experience at PCC.” Dr. James Kossler, President PCC, Pasadena City College Masterplan 2010
* Go to www.pro-faculty.net to e-mail Dr. Kossler about the 2010 Masterplan and where faculty fit.

HONESTY
“PCC’s regular state funding barely covers the cost of the day-to-day operations of the college (salaries, benefits, supplies, equipment, services, etc.)” Dr. James Kossler, President PCC

“Community colleges throughout the state have financial officers who know how to hide the money.” Alan Frye, CCA Budget Analyst
Response: “I was very disappointed that they brought in someone from the outside who basically demeaned the character of people on campus. The first person they bring in calls administrators and board members liars and cheats. I thought it was an unfortunate ploy.” Dr. James Kossler, President PCC, Pasadena City College Courier, February 21, 2001
* Go to www.pro-faculty.net with your comments on Alan Frye’s Budget Analysis. Don’t forget Part II of his presentation on March 7, 12:00 noon in the Forum

CREDIBILITY
“I am very well aware that the Excellence of PCC is due to the excellence of the faculty, the staff and the administrators. I hope that we can also achieve excellence in the Bargaining process.” Dr. Janet Mann, Trustee, PCC, www.pro-faculty.net
* Go to www.pro-faculty.net with your ideas on how credibility

NEGOTIATING TEAM AND ADVISORY BOARD RESPONSE TO DISTRICT

• You say that you are wounded by CCA Budget Analyst, Alan Frye’s comments. Can you dispute the 9 million dollar ending balance?
• You say that you are not prepared to make a specific offer. What is preventing you from being prepared? Is it the low esteem you have for us?
• If one of us went into class every week and said we weren’t prepared to teach, would that be acceptable? What makes you think your lack of preparation is acceptable?
• There was a budget surplus last year AND you budgeted more money for faculty salaries than you spent. What you’re really saying is that there are other projects that you consider to be a higher priority than the faculty. We’re here to convince you that the faculty should have a higher priority than you’ve assigned them. What is it going to take to convince you that the faculty are important to the college and deserve significant raises?
• All you have explained is that there are other things you’d rather spend money on. What is it about faculty that causes you to assign us such a low priority? You increased spending on Capital Projects. What would it have taken to increase spending on faculty salaries?
• COLA is just the money that you’re required to spend on faculty. You’re not demonstrating that faculty is important to the college. You’re just trying to give us the minimum.
• You say growth money is for hiring new faculty. It can’t be used to increase salaries. Please show us that state law that requires this because we don’t believe you. If we wind up with larger class sizes due to growth, then our compensation should be increased.
• If you want us to go over the budget, are you inviting us to be a part of the budget decision-making team? If not, then there is no reason for us to discuss the budget with you. The president has reserved budget decisions to himself and the Vice-President of Administrative Services. They have made decisions that do not result in fair compensation for faculty. That’s the only decision we have input in. With such a position how can we be empowered to negotiate?
• You are worried that our proposal will bankrupt the District. How hysterical and melodramatic! This framework blows smoke over the real budget situation.
• These aren’t negotiations. They are facades, charades, delays, claims and counterclaims. These are to be framed as “arguments” and “rebuttals”. If these were negotiations, that would imply fair consideration of well-framed, well-supported arguments, and genuine willingness to support faculty proposals.
  
• * Go to www.pro-faculty.net and add your comments to our list!
  

CALL TO ACTION
Faculty! It is time to take further action. Continue to support your Union and its efforts by e-mailing Dr. Kossler and the Board of Trustees with your comments and questions. Write the Pasadena Star News and Courier with your editorial comments. Volunteer to help with this campaign to get what we deserve! Every voice is significant. You can also place your thoughts and comments on the web at www.pro-faculty.net.

IMPORTANT DATES
February 27 is the next negotiating session, look for a Negotiation Update. On March 1st there is a Happy Hour for all faculty at Cameron’s Fish House, 4:00 pm. March 6 is the next Board of Trustees Meeting, 7:00 pm in the Circadian. March 7 is the next General Membership Meeting, 12:00 pm in the Forum. Alan Fry will give Part II of PCC’s Budget Analysis. Go to the website www.pro-faculty.net for all the details regarding upcoming events.