Negotiations Update 15 May 2025
- palomarfacfed
- May 20
- 3 min read
The District’s Lead Negotiator was out of office today, so we used this time to address our growing list of Discussion Items. Below is a short summary of each Discussion item.
Discussion Items
Article 12 Updates (PFF)
We received additional feedback from both the SLO Coordinators and SLO Facilitators, so we will be prepared with our counter proposal at our next meeting.
Vocational Salary Credits
While the District has expressed their support for the new language that gives parity to vocational faculty, there have been some growing pains in implementing the process. We are working on ways to better coordinate with HR and the Sabbatical Committee to ensure that there is a smooth process.
Shared Spreadsheet with Information Request (District)
The District will maintain a spreadsheet with an information request tracker that they will share as a standing item at the beginning of each negotiations meeting. PFF will compare it to our own tracking system for consistency.
Follow up: Math Lab/Tutoring Updates (District)
There is still ongoing confusion over whether tutoring qualifies for apportionment funding. With changes in leaders and unclear tracking processes, the delay may be costing the District. PFF has included this Discussion item on our agenda since 2-27-25, so we are requesting that the District investigate to avoid further issues.
Follow up: Benefits Cost to the District (District)
We requested a full breakdown of the potential impact to faculty due to the changes in benefits and emphasized the need for data transparency. The District will schedule a meeting with both CCE and PFF to review.
Institutional Service While on Grant Reassigned Time (PFF)
Grants that allow for reassigned time do not account for necessary institutional service that may still need to be completed. In smaller departments, this is problematic when faculty must continue to do the institutional service to support their department on top of the grant work for the reassigned time. We discussed using the language in 15.7 to support faculty in these positions and will revisit when we have more details.
Follow up: External Evaluations at Camp Pendleton (District)
We received some updates about this situation. There are evaluations that are tied to the programs at Camp Pendleton, but they are not used for Palomar evaluations. The concern is that the results of these evaluations have been shared more widely. When the District’s Lead Negotiator is back, we will have more discussion on this topic.
Follow up: Subbing Communication (District)
There was recent messaging to all departments from their Deans that clarifies a few subbing misconceptions for Part-Time Faculty. Subbing by Part-Time Faculty is allowed and does not count toward load unless it is extended subbing (2 weeks).
Follow up: Dual Enrollment Schedule (District)
The District has an obligation to bargain the effects of any programs with significant changes. With the growing push for Dual Enrollment, PFF demanded to bargain these effects on 2/27/25. We’ve agendized this at every meeting and even offered to collaborate on an article together. However, the District still has not addressed this need. They said that they are “targeting the end of the month for this.” We expressed our concern over the lack of urgency.
Committee Funding Sources:
It was brought to our attention that some committees were paying for PT faculty committee involvement out of their own accounts. We were assured that this should not be the case. Those involved may be using an old form. All committee forms are prepopulated with the appropriate account strings. If your committee was using an old form, please let us know!
Planting a Flag: Proposed Required Canvas Use
Currently, using Canvas is not a requirement at Palomar, but there are many changes happening across the contract that may require Canvas. We want to ensure that the District is negotiating the effects of these changes.
Next Meeting: Thursday, May 22nd.
Signing off—but still here for every comma, clause, and cause.
Your Negotiations Team