Update on SCFT Negotiations:

Standing Up for Our Faculty, Students, and Community

 

​

Welcome to the State Center Federation of Teachers (SCFT) negotiations page. As the educators who serve the State Center Community College District (SCCCD), our top priority is delivering high-quality education to our students.

​

However, student success depends on the District’s ability to attract and retain the best educators. Right now, we are fighting for a competitive contract that reflects the true value of our faculty and ensures our colleges remain strong pillars of the community.

​​

Where We Are in the Process: Impasse and Mediation

After months of negotiations with the District, we have reached an "impasse". This means that progress at the bargaining table has stalled, and we have brought in a neutral, state-appointed mediator to help bridge the gap.

​

Mediation sessions are scheduled for August 24 and September 2. If the District remains unwilling to offer a competitive agreement, we will move into a "Fact-finding" phase, where an independent panel will review the District's finances and issue a public report.

​​

The Economic Reality at SCCCD

We are asking the Board of Trustees to prioritize its students by investing in its educators. The data shows that the District has the resources to settle a fair contract today:

• Lagging Compensation: SCCCD faculty are falling behind our regional peers. On average, our full-time faculty earn about $10,000 less in salary and receive $6,000 less in healthcare contributions per year compared to faculty at the neighboring College of the Sequoias (COS).

• Misplaced Priorities: While the standard for California community colleges is to budget 85% to 90% for employee salary and benefits, SCCCD budgets only about 75% for its people.

• Massive Reserves: The District has accumulated a "public reserve" of more than $100 million, alongside a "shadow reserve" of over $200 million. These massive reserves have been built, in part, by withholding competitive compensation from the faculty and staff who serve this community.

​​​

Our Vision for a Contract Contract

Our core contract demands are designed to build a stronger educational environment:

• Competitive Pay: Salary increases that keep pace with inflation and stop the brain drain of talented educators leaving for neighboring districts.

• Fully Covered Healthcare: Protecting essential health benefits and expanding coverage to include comprehensive dental and vision care.

• Lecture/Lab Equity: Ensuring fair compensation and workload recognition across all academic disciplines, because all teaching matters.

• Part-Time Faculty Parity: Guaranteeing equal treatment for part-time faculty—including paid preparation, grading time, and office hours—so they can fully support their students outside of class.

​​​​

The Upcoming Strike Authorization Vote

To demonstrate our unity and resolve, SCFT members will participate in a digital Strike Authorization Vote on August 25 and 26.

What does this mean for the community? A "YES" vote does not mean an immediate strike. A strike is always our absolute last resort. However, this vote gives our bargaining team the legal authority to call a strike if the District's last, best, and final offer falls short and all other legal steps (like mediation and fact-finding) fail to produce a fair resolution.​

​

How the Community Can Support Us

Community members, students, and local leaders can help us ensure SCCCD remains a top-tier educational institution.

We invite you to make your voice heard by attending the Board of Trustees Meeting on Tuesday, September 1, at 3:30 PM at the Downtown District Office. Tell the Board that our community supports fair pay and fair treatment for State Center faculty.

Together we stand, together we win!