Voting Season

In between autumn and winter, we’ve added a new ‘season’ - voting season - which runs October 5 to November 3. And with it come some unexpected problems: unofficial ballot drop-off boxes, conflicting information in the media, unsupported claims in political ads, health risks when voting in person or volunteering to be a poll worker.

The challenges of exercising our right to vote have demonstrated how our world has changed over the past year. And in this 2020 election, it is more crucial than ever to vote as if your life depends on it – because for some, it does. It’s all on the ballot this year - our beliefs, the values we share, the goals we aspire to.

Closer to home and crucial to our working conditions in the District, be sure to vote for our endorsed LACCD Board of Trustee candidates – Andra Hoffman (Seat #1), David Vela (Seat #3), Nichelle Henderson (Seat #5), Mike Fong (Seat #7). Also key to our future success is support for Schools & Communities First (Proposition 15) and Opportunity for All (Proposition 16). Be sure, too, to vote against Prop 22, an attack on workers by corporations.

Our nine campuses will be voting centers starting Saturday, October 24. Take advantage of that by going to one of the campuses, each of which will also have an official ballot drop-off box.

Now that contract negotiations have concluded and the finalized contract has been ratified by an overwhelming 97% vote of our members, we move into the process of educating faculty about the changes and making sure that the new or revised provisions are implemented. During negotiations our team was aware of how critical our contract language is. When it’s flexible, it can be open to interpretation, sending us back to the text and our written minutes. But when it’s too prescriptive, it can work against our interests. The process of explaining and implementing the new language is ongoing.

We won’t be slowing down any time soon. Stay informed and engaged. And, of course, stay safe and stay well.

In Unity,
Joanne Waddell
AFT 1521 President