In March 2019, CODFA’s table team and the board’s emissaries met for the first time. Those negotiations went on more than six months until the end of September. In between we met bi-weekly, required a federal mediator, and COD faculty voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike. It was a contentious process.

Today the current and predicted internal, local, and national conditions are different.

• A Pew Research poll from September 2021 shows a strong bi-partisan majority of Americans view unions in a positive light. Workers at Starbucks and Amazon have made unprecedented gains.

• 9% inflation is the highest in 40 years.

• Recession fears loom on the horizon, nationally and globally.

• Locally, COD students, faculty and employees are returning to a “new normal” with some trepidation and a high level of change fatigue.

Against this backdrop, our members were surveyed, and a strong majority supported entering into talks on extending the existing full-time faculty contract, as opposed to full negotiations. We asked administrators, as the board’s representatives, on three separate occasions. Each time, the request was rebuffed with little serious explanation.

It is unfortunate, to put it mildly, that the board has no interest in engaging in extension talks and prefers full negotiations.

We think the interest of the institution as a whole is best served by a limited discussion. Several years of peace and stability across the institution are well deserved.

Therefore, our preference is to have a serious conversation about extending the existing contract and discussing an MOU for any current issues – but this should not be misinterpreted as weakness or lack of resolve on our part.

Our Negotiations Team has been hard at work over the past several weeks, focusing on scope and content of proposals. Our resolve is strong, we are disciplined, and tireless in our efforts.

The faculty who are here tonight in support, as well those you will hear from shortly, are reasonable and fair, and they expect the same in the coming weeks and months.

We are eager to begin negotiations and engage at the table.

Thank you.