Thursday, October 26, hundreds of City College of San Francisco (CCSF) classified staff (SEIU 1021), and faculty (AFT 2121), rallied outside the CCSF Board of Trustees meeting alongside students and concerned community members in a show of solidarity. Both unions have been bargaining since March and report ongoing frustrations with the board’s continued refusal to come to the table in good faith. 

SEIU 1021 members also began a strike authorization vote, with 94% of members present voting “yes” to authorize a strike. SEIU 1021 will also hold a virtual strike vote for members who couldn’t attend last week this Thursday, November 2.

Staff and faculty cite understaffing, stagnant wages, and security concerns as some of the top issues they would like to see addressed by the board. Due to understaffing and program cutbacks, thousands of students are facing ever-growing waitlists for required classes they need to move forward in their educational plans and careers. The situation undermines CCSF’s role as an equalizer, providing free higher education to SF residents so that they can get the kinds of jobs that will allow them to stay in the City.

The evening rally began at 5:00 pm and included group chants, drummers, and marching outside where the Board of Trustees meeting was to occur that evening. Classified workers and faculty shared their stories.

“It’s time for the district to understand that we mean business,” said SEIU 1021 shop steward Justin Genevro, who works in the CCSF art department.

CCSF is the largest source of higher education degrees and workforce training in San Francisco; however, so far, Chancellor Martin and his team have only offered inadequate proposals and failed to address the urgent needs of the school brought forward in bargaining.

SEIU 1021 and AFT 2121 members are preparing for a strike in defense of the college’s mission if the chancellor and his team continue to ignore the voices of faculty and staff.

Read more about the rally and strike vote in Mission Local here.