College, union reach tentative agreement

Part-time+faculty+and+supporters+rallied+outside++600+S.+Michigan.+Nov.+30+in+a+fight+for+better+wages%2C+smaller+class+sizes%2C+and+more.

Erin Brown | Chronicle

Part-time faculty and supporters rallied outside 600 S. Michigan. Nov. 30 in a fight for better wages, smaller class sizes, and more.

By Ariana Portalatin, Editor-in-Chief

Following a week of tense bargaining discussions and the possibility of a strike, college administration and CFAC union leadership have reached a tentative collective bargaining agreement, according to an April 17 email from bargaining representatives.

“Like all such agreements, it has taken compromises and good faith by both sides to arrive at this moment,” the email stated. “We believe our many areas of agreement reflect our joint commitment to the college and our students and our desire to set forth a tone of respect and collaboration we hope extends well beyond a written document into everyday affairs across our college.“

The email was signed by CFAC President Diana Vallera, CFAC Counsel Robert Bloch, Special Counsel for Labor Relations Terence Smith and Chief of Staff Laurent Pernot.

The email went on to say that the terms of the agreement have already been ratified by the college and still need to be documented into an official contract, but this could happen this week. Union leadership will recommend ratification to its membership, according to the joint email.