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FAIR SHARE EXPLAINED
We call it "Fair Share," and SCFA implemented it in the Fall of 2005 for Full-time faculty and in the Spring for Part-time faculty.
For those of you who are new to Sierra, or who may have forgotten what "Fair Share" is all about, here's a primer. We begin with the actual Bylaws wording.........
Article XIV: Fair ShareSection 1. In order to properly and actively carry out its role in the representation, negotiation, and improvement in the working conditions of its members, SCFA shall adopt a policy whereby all members of the bargaining unit pay a fair share of the expenses of these duties. The fair share shall be an amount equal to an SCFA member's regular dues to SCFA, CCA, CTA, and NEA. Section 2. Constituents of the bargaining unit who have submitted an application to join SCFA, CCA, CTA, and NEA shall have all the rights and privileges of full members of these organizations as more fully set out in their respective constitutions and bylaws. Constituents of the bargaining unit who have not submitted an application shall be fee payers to these organizations. Section 3. Constituents of the bargaining unit who have a religious objection to becoming members of SCFA, CCA, CTA, and NEA may fill out a religious objector application. The SCFA Executive Board shall consider the content of each individual application and, upon approval, that constituent's fair share shall be donated to a charity picked by the constituent from a list supplied by the SCFA. Section 4. Part time faculty teaching less than 3 loaded units may request to be excused from the requirements for fee paying. This request shall be in writing on a form supplied to the faculty member upon request to any SCFA officer or director.
Now, here's some history.................
IN THE OLD DAYS... contribution to the Sierra College Faculty Association (SCFA) was purely voluntary. Thus, a relatively small number of faculty who chose to belong to SCFA were in effect supporting everyone who chose not to belong. These non-members were getting something for nothing--SCFA services in grievance procedures and in the association’s negotiations with the District over pay, benefits, and working conditions--while the much smaller proportion of the faculty who belonged to SCFA were carrying the financial burden for everyone.
Not terribly equitable, right?
ENTER "FAIR SHARE" Fair Share revolves around the principle, codified by recent legislation, that everyone who receives representation from the faculty association should participate in the financial support of that association. Under Fair Share, all faculty will contribute to SCFA, whether or not they choose to join SCFA. (Although someone who chooses not to join SCFA won’t receive SCFA or CTA/NEA membership benefits.)
WHAT WILL IT COST ME? Full-time faculty pay $79.00 per month under Fair Share, and part-time faculty pay $18.03 per month. (Part-timers who are members of CCA or CTA at another institution are only responsible for our local share of $4 a month.)
WHAT WILL IT GET ME? Members of SCFA are entitled to:
Membership also entitles you to some terrific benefits from CCA/CTA/NEA, the parent organization of SCFA:
SO WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO? Simply sign up. We've made it easy for you by providing all new employees with a membership form. Current faculty has received mailings that includes all the relevant information, including a membership form. You can also find forms in your faculty mailrooms, or you may contact our Membership Director to find out how to get a form. As soon as you're signed up, you become a full member of SCFA/CTA/NEA, with all the attendant benefits. Dues will be deducted automatically from your paycheck.
AND IF I DON'T WANT TO JOIN? You don’t have to join the association. If you choose not to, the amount of what would have been your dues will be deducted from your paycheck and sent to SCFA, but you will not be listed as a member (and therefore, you'll receive no member benefits). In essence, you'll be paying for something you're not getting...but it's your choice.
Your second option--and this only pertains if you have religious objections to joining or supporting an employee organization--you may protest the dues in writing to SCFA. The monthly amount of your dues will be contributed to a charity chosen by SCFA from a list of SCFA-approved charities, for which you may of course claim a tax deduction.
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