Meeting The Challenges in 2021

February 2021

www.AFT1521.org

President’s Message

Meeting the Challenges in 2021

Welcome back to the spring semester! As we embark on our journey into 2021, I wish you and your families a Happy New Year and hope that you enjoy it in good health. This month, Guild members will be joining with colleagues virtually at all our campuses to honor Black History Month and to welcome the Lunar New Year.

The Guild has been engaged in efforts to develop acceptable standards for returning to campus. Our mantra continues to be: Testing, Tracing, Appropriate PPE, Ventilation and Vaccinations – prerequisites for in-person teaching. Although guidelines keep changing daily, we are monitoring the County Department of Health Services’ website to know when it’s our turn to get vaccinations so that we can move forward with discussions with the District about returning to classrooms – but only when it’s safe to do so.

In Unity,

Joanne Waddell

AFT 1521 President

Passionate About Organizing: Seo Yun Son

By Evan Henerson

By her own admission, Guild Organizer Seo Yun Son followed “an unconventional path into the labor movement.” Nobody in her family or immediate circle of friends were union members or had ever worked on behalf of organized labor.

Son came to the United States from Korea as an undocumented immigrant in the late 1990s. After studying at UCLA and working in the garment district in downtown L.A., she began her career with the Koreatown Immigrant Workers Alliance (KIWA) before eventually being recruited by AFT 1521 Organizing Director Chase Golding as a trainer for the Organizing Institute of the LA County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO. When the opportunity arose for her to join Golding at the Guild, she jumped at the chance.

It's Time to Get Ready for the 2021 CFT Convention

Due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, the California Federation of Teachers (Local 1521's state affiliate) will hold its 2021 convention online on March 26-27, 2021. Featuring the theme of “Rise Up, Recover, Rebuild,” the CFT Convention promises to be an uplifting event. The convention, held every two years, is the Federation’s highest governance body, during which delegates shape union policy and positions on issues affecting all members.

Faculty Member Helps Students Deal with Stress

Southwest College faculty member Picolya McCall-Robinson’s background as a licensed psychologist and trained technician in mental health has not only assisted her students prepare for careers in the field but has had the added benefit of helping her look for signs of stress in her students and their family members so she can teach them ways to help them deal with issues created by the pandemic.

“2020 was a new kind of year for some,” McCall-Robinson noted. “This year brought much good but for some the year brought much sadness, despair and loss. In the past, we were annoyed about traffic, but now we’re seeing real stress and depression that are difficult to cope with, and many people are not going to therapy.”

Navigating Retirement

By William Elarton-Selig

Guild VP and Chair of the Joint Labor Management Benefits Committee (JLMBC)

Many faculty who are considering retirement find that the whole process can be quite daunting.

Here is some general guidance that should be useful...

Beware of Private Agency Scams!

You may have received emails sent to your college email address offering to answer questions about your retirement benefits.

These messages usually go something like this: “Each year, as an employee of [name of your college] you are eligible to schedule a phone call or teleconference meeting with a representative for answers to your specific state, federal and individual retirement benefit questions. At your consultation, you will be provided with information that will tell you what your potential income can be when you retire, and how much longer you may have to work. That, along with advice on the best ways to utilize your options with your state retirement and/or Social Security benefits.”

Discounts for Union Members

Visit the new Union Plus website to learn all about the services and benefits available to working men and women and their families.

Services include including pandemic hardship assistance, credit card services and the Union Plus Mortgage Program.

Learn More Here

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Help for Adjunct Faculty Filing for Unemployment

The Guild’s EDD Ombudsperson, Anthony Amey, has created a tutorial to provide adjunct faculty with information on filing for unemployment insurance: EDD_UI_Workshop091120

Amey is also holding LIVE Zoom meetings with upcoming dates TBA.

If you have questions, you can contact Amey at ameya@laccd.edu or

(323) 684-5404.

Motions Passed at the Executive Board Meeting of November 17, 2020

Approved the resolution AFT supports a sustainable peace for Armenia and Artsakh.

Motions Passed at the Executive Board meeting of December 8, 2020

Approved a contribution of $500 to El Centro Del Pueblo.

Approved a contribution of $500 to CASA.

Approved a contribution of $500 to LA Community Action Network “Freedom Now” Program.

Approved a contribution of $500 to the Invest In U Organization.

Approved the Social Justice Committee’s request to spend $105 of the committee’s funds to send three faculty to attend a “Medicare for All” strategy conference.

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