What Has the Union Done for You Lately?
by Diane Soriano, Adjunct Counselor EVC

Coming to My Aid

I want to pass on my regards and heartfelt thanks to the Union, namely Deborah de la Rosa and Barbara Hanfling, who supported me for the last couple of months in a tense situation involving my supervisor.

During the spring 2010 semester, my part time position with EVC was impacted by changes in the adjunct priority hiring list. This was the start of the semester—a very busy time—and the changes caused some confusion.

Consequently, there was a misunderstanding regarding my last day as a faculty member and I continued to work until the date I was told that my position would be offered to another with seniority rehire preference. After my verbal and written attempts to be paid were denied, I attended my first adjunct faculty union meeting to seek support.

After the meeting Barbara advised that I submit a timesheet, which was then also denied by my supervisor.

I contacted Barbara and she and Deborah were able to swiftly resolve the matter quickly and professionally.

Sincerely,

Diane

P.S. I must add that as I hemmed and hawed about contacting the union, another faculty member at the meeting put it to me plainly, “If you don’t do something about your pay now what will happen 20 years from now when they will want to take away your retirement [because] you let them get away with it this time?”