Reasons to join the IFT

Kishwaukee College Adjunct Education Association-Local 6559

1. $1 million occupational liability insurance.

Purchasing liability insurance on the open market costs $94-$176 a year.
The union dues cover liability insurance and can be cheaper than buying
on the open market.
You can find examples of educators facing occupational legal challenges
on our KCAEA website: http://kcaea.weebly.com/

2. A voice in the workplace.

We will start the new contract negotiations in 2018.
KCAEA members have the right to voice their opinions on what we should
negotiate for on the next contract.
Only KCAEA members are allowed to vote to ratify the contract.
Any KCAEA member may become a member of the union committee or
become a candidate for an executive officer.
KCAEA executive officers meet with college administration officials
monthly to talk about improving adjunct instructor working conditions and
the clarity of the contract.
KCAEA President has an open invitation to meet with the President of
Kishwaukee College every semester.

3. The right to collectively bargain a contract. This is guaranteed by lawthe

Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act.
Union has access to legal aid and access to IFT/AFT lawyers.
The Kishwaukee College administration takes the KCAEA contract
seriously for fear of unfair labor practice complaints, grievance
complaints, IELRB rules, and Illinois labor laws.
For example: Our legal strength and the power to file an unfair labor
practice complaint has already helped reverse employment termination
and led to the reinstatement and back pay for an adjunct instructor at
KC.

4. A contract exists which guarantees specific rights and benefits to adjunct

instructors, such as sick leave, an equitable salary schedule.
Sick leave negotiated for Kishwaukee adjunct instructors is better than
many other community colleges.
We now have two to three days leave per semester depending on the
number of days worked per week.
In addition, we are working on the accurate processing of the half leave-
day.
We had negotiated a deal with the Executive Director of Human
Resources in the fall of 2016 regarding half leave-day.
However, the college is challenging this agreement and by doing so
violated the recognition clause of the contract.
Due to the union we have the power to be recognized and file a
grievance.
5. College must negotiate any changes in wages, hours, and the terms and
conditions of employment with the union.
The college changed the amount for docking the pay for exceeding the
2-3 day leave to pro-rating instead of $50 amount that was agreed upon
during the negotiation (Adjunct Handbook, 2015).
KCAEA has complained that this would lead to a higher deduction and,
therefore, is an unfair labor practice.
KCAEA has the right to pursue this action further.

6. A grievance procedure exists to solve problems and correct any misapplication

of the contract by Administration.
Adjunct instructors may bring forth an issue involving mistreatment or
misapplication of the contract to the attention of KCAEA executive
officers.
The grievance procedure may then be initiated.

7. The IFT Defense Fund & the Local Legal Trust cover our Locals legal bills for
arbitrations and lawsuits at NO additional cost to the Local.
This is important if we are the plaintiff or defendant for an unfair labor
practice by the administration.

8. The union provides training for union leadership, i.e. grievance administration
and collective bargaining.

9. The IFT and AFT each produce a newsletter which updates members on
legislation that affects them. http://www.aft.org/action/subscribe-aft-e-
newsletters

10. Benefits from the AFT: mortgage discounts, insurance discounts, discounted
legal services, optional additional life insurance, help with retirement planning,
and numerous discounts on rental cars, hotels, flowers, etc. www.aft.org Click
on AFT Plus Member Benefits

11. Support from organized laborAFL-CIO on a national level.

12. Lobbying in Springfield on your behalf by the IFT Political Department. Recent
successes include the changes to recertificationLPDCs now optional, renewing
health insurance for retirees (TRIP), new rights for IL Dental Hygienists, and
bargaining rights for Graduate Employees.

Please view the webpage at www.ift-aft.org for additional information

on IFT benefits.