Know Your Rights

by Barbara Hanfling, FA, AFT 6157 Executive Director

I. Updating your Faculty Service Areas (FSA’s)

 

Many full time faculty believe that when they get hired, the District reviews all their transcripts and enters all their potential faculty service areas onto the seniority list. That is not the case. The only FSA listed for many faculty is the one they got hired to teach in. Please go to our web page www.fa-aft6157 (Full Time Faculty-FSA/Seniority List) and check to ensure your FSA’s are updated.

 

Why is this important? Although we understand that there are no faculty layoffs this year and don’t anticipate any full time layoffs in the near future, having up to date FSA’s enables faculty to ensure some additional job security. Updated FSA’s also allow faculty to transfer to other disciplines when and if vacancies arise. Over the years, we have had faculty move from Reading to English; Computer Information to Psychology; DSP Counselor to General Counselor; and others.

 

How to Update your FSA?

Please read and review Article 23.5.2 on line or in your contract. Then go to page 240, Appendix I, and fill out the form. Please note, you must collect your own transcripts. You cannot rely on Human Resources (HR) to look through your personnel file. You may make an appointment with HR to review your personnel file and in the meantime copy any available transcripts. You must complete the above prior to February 15^th of the year.

II.  Right to Representation

 

It is very important for faculty to know that any time they are called in for a meeting that might lead to possible discipline, the Weingarten decision gives them the right to ask for FA, AFT 6157 representation. The Weingarten decision basically states that if a faculty member even suspects that there is any possibility that discipline could arise, then the request to have a Union representative cannot be denied. The importance of always having a Union representative with you at these meetings cannot be stressed strongly enough.

 

Union’s Position on Representing Faculty who File Charges: The Union has determined that Weingarten requires us and of course we must, represent all faculty when a charge has been made against them because the charge could potentially lead to discipline.

 

However, neither Weingarten nor the duty of fair representation requires the Union to represent faculty who have charged other faculty or classified staff with discrimination or harassment. Of course the Union will continue to ensure that the process is properly followed.

 

If the faculty member does participate in a disciplinary meeting without a representative, any discussions that take place could be used against the faculty member. Having an FA, AFT6157 representative at the meeting would ensure that due process was followed and appropriate questions were asked.

 

If and when faculty are requested to participate in an investigation/meeting, you have the right to request what the subject matter is, who has filed the complaint, and who the complaint is against. Faculty should NEVER attend a meeting without asking the question first: “WHAT IS THIS MEETING ABOUT, SO I CAN BE PREPARED?” Additionally, you have the right to set up the meeting at your convenience.

 

Please remember to contact the Union if you are attending a meeting where discipline will occur or you believe it may occur.