Message from the Chief Negotiator

Chief Negotiator Update: February 18, 2026

Dear LRCFT Members,

In January, the Board of Trustees approved the District and Union’s sunshine documents which sets forth the parts of the contract that the parties intend to open. The Union stated its intent to open up the majority of the contract because of its impact on faculty work, workload, and rights.

In my role as the Chief Negotiator, I’ve worked to put together a robust and experienced bargaining and research team that represents the diverse interests of our faculty. The goal was to assemble a group that has extensive content expertise in their respective faculty assignment areas, as well as individuals with solid understanding of various aspects of the union contract. As a union that represents full-time and adjunct faculty, it was also important that I appoint folks to the bargaining and research teams that can examine any proposed contract changes from both perspectives.

Over the last two weeks, we’ve divided into smaller sub-groups that are focusing on specific aspects of the contract. We have groups that are focusing on counselors, coordinators, chairs, and coaches; as well as groups that focus on topics like performance review, workload, leaves, stipends, and class & step placement. While this isn’t an exhaustive list, this gives you a sense of the work ahead. In the upcoming weeks, we will update you on our progress and proposals.

Thanks in advance for your support of the union and our work. We encourage you to wear your Union Strong shirts to class, campus, or also in the video recordings you do for your remote/online work. We want the administration to be reminded of how important faculty are wherever they go. Let us ensure the strength of our union, and the importance of faculty work, is at the forefront of the minds of the administration.

In Solidarity,

Belinda Lum, LRCFT Chief Negotiator