San Mateo County Community College faculty union demands better raises

Rather than attend sessions offered during the district’s staff development day Wednesday, more than 100 members of the American Federation of Teachers Union Local AFT1493 gathered in front of the district office in protest to send a message: They mean business. More than 400 boycotted attending any development sessions. 

“We’re not here for fun, we’re here because we’re serious,” Christopher Branco, a professor at Skyline College, said. 

If negotiations continue as they are, Branco said Chancellor Melissa Moreno and the seated Board of Trustees may be the first to preside over a strike in the San Mateo County Community College District. Many speakers and rally attendees shared this commitment to seeing their demands through. 

A chant at the end of the rally rang in front of the district’s office: “Melissa Moreno take a hike. Faculty are prepared to strike.” 

The ongoing negotiations have led faculty to feel disrespected. Chet Lexvold, executive director of the faculty union, described the negotiation offers from the district as “insulting and pathetic.” 

The district did not respond to specific questions due to ongoing negotiations, but said it is committed to finding a resolution, David McLain, executive director of Community and Government Relations, said. 

“The district looks forward to continuing productive discussions with its labor partners to achieve agreements that reflect a balance of fairness, sustainability and a shared commitment to student success,” McClain said in a statement. 

Recent offers from the district include giving teachers raises of 2%, 1.75% and 1.5%, respectively over the next three years. Speakers at Wednesday’s rally detailed how the cost of living has drastically outpaced how teachers are compensated. 

“With inflation and rising health care costs, the salary raise is not a raise, it’s a pay cut,” Ben Feldman, a professor at Skyline College, said. “If you’ve been here since 2022, you’ll be making less money in 2026 than you did four years ago in real dollars.”

The minimal offer was made “because they doubt our solidarity,” Feldman said. 

“They don’t think we’re going to stand together, but it is our labor that makes the district run,” Feldman said. “If they don’t believe that we can come together and withhold that labor, they’re in for a surprise.” 

Faculty speakers shared that they often take on a large role than just teaching courses and wear multiple hats throughout the district, but are not justly compensated for the work. 

Another major ask of the unions is for the district to include protections for academic freedom in contracts. Currently, district policy states it will protect academic freedom of its faculty and students, but union members said the policy can’t be trusted. 

That lack of trust was evident when the academic senates at each campus looked to district administrators to acknowledge resolutions affirming the humanity of Palestinian people, and the district responded saying it “does not take stances on political issues,” Skyline College professor Mustafa Popal said. 

“We would have to be f—ing idiots if we believe that,” Popal said. 

Popal said the district picks and chooses when to take political stances and show support for faculty, Popal said. 

“You cannot take their word,” Popal said. “When you can’t trust a person’s word, you put it on a contract.” 

There are two more scheduled negotiation conferences, and if no contract is agreed upon by then, mediation steps may be taken next. The union is planning on demonstrations at the upcoming board meetings to push the movement along.