It's time for Lane Community College to invest in instruction. It is time for a fair faculty contract now.

Despite increased state funding of $2.25 million for the 2019-20 academic year, LCC administration has proposed in collective bargaining a meager 1% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) and no opportunity for advancement on the faculty salary scale this year and less than full steps in the following two years for full-time faculty as well as salary advancements that will leave part-time faculty making only 61.9% of full-time rates after three years.

At the same time, the administration has created several new management positions, including a third Vice President, a Chief of Staff, and a college attorney. The College's budgetary choices have resulted in a disinvestment in the College mission.

LCC officials appear unwilling to include this year’s $2.25 million windfall from the state in faculty contract negotiations. Aside from the newly created administration positions, they have not revealed how they plan to spend the extra money.

The college's proposal for this year is still the second lowest offer in the 44-year history of the faculty union --second only to the previous ZERO offer from the College this Spring.  

LCCEA calls for full steps for all faculty who have earned them each year and reasonable, affordable movement toward part-time faculty pay equity instead.

It is time for a fair faculty contract now. It's time for the College to invest in instruction.