UPTE associate faculty members at Mt. San Jacinto College ratify contract and look toward future organizing
UPTE members at Mt. San Jacinto College (MSJC) have a new contract! Between July 8 and 12, 2024, nearly one hundred UPTE Associate Faculty members cast their ballots to unanimously ratify their new contract with the administration of MSJC.
Santino Labbate, an associate faculty member in the physics department at MSJC’s Menifee Valley Campus, has been advocating for associate faculty rights. With twelve years of experience at the University of Redlands, Santino brought his passion for education and justice to MSJC. “At the beginning of working for MSJC, I felt alone because I was new and didn’t know anyone,” he shared. This sense of isolation fueled his involvement with the union, where he found a community and a platform to address critical issues.
The journey to the recent contract victory was challenging. Traditional bargaining methods with the administration proved unfruitful, leading to impasse and mediation. Santino remarked, “The district filed for an impasse, so we decided to rally at the State of the College address at the Menifee Valley Campus. We made signs, making our presence known to donors, stakeholders, investors, board members, and the president. We wanted to let people know that despite some apparent successes, associate faculty are still treated like dirt.” The rally was a crucial step in raising awareness among the community and student population about the struggles faced by associate faculty.
Santino’s dedication is deeply personal. “When I see injustice happen anywhere, I can’t let it go,” he said. That drive led him to actively participate in the bargaining process, focusing on office hours, healthcare, and seniority rights. The mediation process, though challenging, brought some victories and a sense of camaraderie among the faculty. “It felt good to get it all out at mediation because, during bargaining, you can’t be rude, but at mediation, you have to be. You have to confront the issue head-on and call it out.”
Looking ahead, Santino highlights the ongoing efforts that are needed after ratifying the contract. The newly ratified contract is a significant milestone, and he acknowledges, “From our Chapter Chair, Sandra Blackman, to the bargaining team members and those who supported us along the way, this was a team effort through and through. We have made great progress. While we didn’t achieve all the numbers we aimed for, including key language means we now have mechanisms for further improvement; there’s a knob that can be turned. We will not take our feet off the gas pedal. We want to keep the urgency there.”
Together, workers will continue building a stronger, more inclusive union that represents the goals and priorities of every UPTE associate faculty member at MSJC.
