Higher Education

LACCD Trustee Walks a Day in Our Shoes

“I ate my Wheaties and I’m ready to go,” exclaimed Miguel Santiago, Los Angeles Community College District Trustee, when he arrived at Charles Ruffin’s house at 2:15 AM one recent morning. Miguel spent the day working alongside Charles and his colleagues, custodians at Los Angeles Trade Technical College.

The crew’s assignment that day was to strip and mop a floor. “Miguel got right down there with us and jumped right in. He did very, very well today,” said Charles.

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Building Strength at the Ventura County Community College District

Members at Ventura County Community College District have introduced monthly meetings at all worksites—our three campuses and the District Administrative Office.

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Union Pride

Member Profile: Carlos Diaz
Union pride runs in Carlos Diaz’s family. After all, he grew up in a union household. His father worked for Xerox and was an active member of the International Brotherhood of Machinists for more than 30 years. Carlos remembers attending union events and meetings with his dad. Most of all, he remembers the stable life his father was able to provide for the family—a home, education, benefits, “the American Dream,” says Carlos.

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Custodians Say: “Don’t hire contractors to do our job!”

What do you do if you’re a Community College and your most senior, highest paid custodial workers are responsible for maintaining your campus floors? Simply give the job to less expensive contractors in violation of your contract. At least that’s what Harbor College has been doing.

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Jim Crowley: Up Close and Personal

It seems community colleges are more vulnerable to state funding. It’s why we need to get involved – lobby in Sacramento, become a Steward, show up at the board meetings.

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Higher Education Gap May Slow Economic Mobility

New York Times article that explores the link between rising costs in Higher Education, and slowing economic mobility among the new generation's working class families.

In recent years, 11 percent of children from the poorest families have earned college degrees, compared with 53 percent of children from the top fifth.

“The American dream of opportunity is alive, but frayed,” said Isabel Sawhill, an economist and budget official in the Clinton administration.

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Become a Union Steward

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Download Higher Education Contracts Online (PDF)
Below is a list of the contracts from the Large Public division at SEIU Local 99.

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view these files.

Los Angeles Community College District

LACCD Contract 05-08

Ventura County Community College District

VCCCD Contract