The following is an excerpt from a document from former adjunct Political Science instructor Michele Harris (dated, 10-14-99).  Michele attempted to organize College of the Canyons part-time faculty, but did not receive sufficient support for her effort.  The remainder of the text details California State Assembly Bill 420 that “expanded eligibility of part-time faculty health benefits and enhanced office hours” and authorized “a study on part-time faculty salaries,” etc.

The second half of Harris’s flyer reflected her failed attempt to achieve part-time faculty membership in the College of the Canyons [full-time] Faculty Association (COCFA) and her call for part-time faculty to organize.  For the reader familiar with the recent process of organization that we are involved with, the following text will be (hauntingly) familiar.  The excerpt follows:

“I have good news and bad news.  The good news is contained in this article.  The bad news is that the adjuncts at COC are not represented by the faculty union and will not be allowed to join.  My optimism, that the recent change in union local leadership would lead to a change of attitude toward their adjunct colleagues, was ill-founded.  I gave it my best shot.  The gains made by AB420 are mute if we are not represented by a union.  That is how the legislation is written.  I NEED YOUR SUPPORT IF WE ARE GOING TO ORGANIZE.  We will need at least half of the adjuncts (approximately 165 of us, there are now 330) indicate their support.  Last semester I only received 75.  This doesn’t mean you have to JOIN, it just means that you support the formation of an adjunct faculty union.  If we don’t have the support to organize, administrative prerogative will continue to determine any increases or benefits the college throws our way.”