Join the Fall 2025 FA Dues Drive

By Billy Gunn, Treasurer

The strength of the MiraCosta College Faculty Assembly comes directly from the strength of its membership. As we navigate this time of instability and uncertainty, we are launching our 2025-26 Dues Drive with a renewed focus on unity, participation, and preparing our faculty for the changes ahead.

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Next year, we expect to welcome a new college president, a shift that will likely shape institutional priorities and impact working conditions. At the same time, fluctuating federal funding has created instability in higher education. We have also seen an increase in faculty investigations across California and here at MiraCosta, revealing the critical role the FA plays in providing representation and ensuring that due process is followed. In times like these, a strong faculty union is not a luxury; it is essential.

Even if you are not a member of the MCCFA, we negotiate your salary, benefits, and working conditions. We ensure your rights are upheld, and we provide representation when needed. When you join the FA, you are not simply paying dues. You are helping to protect yourself and your colleagues when you need it most.

Over 85 percent of your full-time colleagues are already members of the FA. This is an extraordinary number, and it speaks to the trust faculty place in our work. But in a moment of transition, it is critical for us to move even closer to 100% participation. Full membership demonstrates solidarity, increases our negotiating power, and allows us to advocate for faculty across all departments and disciplines.

Last year’s negotiations resulted in major wins, including a revised salary schedule, multi-year raises, expanded remote hours for non-classroom faculty, increased evaluation pay, higher travel allowances, streamlined tenure and evaluation processes, and reassigned time increases for department chairs. None of these gains would have been possible without strong membership support.

The FA has already sent personalized letters to faculty who are not currently members or who are paying a rate different from the recommended 0.4% contribution. Not only is our dues rate one of the lowest among our peer institutions at the California Community College Independents, but it is significantly lower than what Palomar College faculty and local public school teachers pay.

As we enter a new era for MiraCosta College, the best way to protect and advance faculty interests is by showing a unified front. If you have not yet joined the FA or are contributing at a different rate, we invite you to submit your Payroll Deduction Form today. Stand with your colleagues. Strengthen your union. Help shape the future of our college.