standing
for a
Member-led
Union
Photo: Christian Martinez Guzman
Dedicated to a more democratic Classified Union with members making decisions, financial transparency, organizing that strengthens our collective power, and a vigorous defense of our rights. Leading with compassion, integrity, joy, and a strong sense of justice.
Platform
A Stronger Democracy
Democracy isn’t just about voting — it’s about sharing information, nurturing new leaders, members influencing important decisions, and empowering members with the tools they need to lead union work (such as join committees, submit amendments, write grievances, and plan solidarity actions in their own work space).
I want to promote a union culture where decisions are made in the open and dissent is welcome. A healthy union can survive member feedback and constructive criticism.
Financial Transparency
As a union campus rep, I’ve heard over and over from members who want more financial transparency and information. How can they review the budget? How does our union spend member dues? When we pay dues to AFT-OR, what do we get in return? Do Executive Council members get paid? (No.) How much do we have in our strike fund?
I want to help our Treasurer and Finance Committee make our budget more accessible and understandable. Ideally, members will be more involved in setting financial priorities and building the budget, and will be notified in advance when the Executive Council plans to vote on a new budget.
A Dignified Workplace for All
Do we have a union in order to enshrine the benefits of our most privileged members? Or do we have a union to leverage our collective power to enact transformative change — a living wage and a dignified workplace for all?
Some FCE members are closer to a living wage than others. How can we close that gap?
How can we support PCC workers and students who are afraid to visit campus because of ICE?
Can we create union resources for our members who are navigating the complicated logistics of retirement?
Building Solidarity
Together, we are stronger and our time at work is more enriching.
Let’s continue to build our relationship with FFAP, share a bargaining timeline, organize together, and restore a culture of community at PCC.
Casual workers are talking about unionizing. What can we do to support? More union workers and more union solidarity is good for us and bad for management.
I’m excited to collaborate more with students, many of whom wholeheartedly supported our strike. They are co-stewards of our college. Many of us used to be (or are) PCC students.
Let’s go even further and continue building outside connections we made during our strike: campus neighbors, union-friendly community groups like DSA, and other Oregon unions. Our strike helped build bargaining power for nearby unions, just as their strikes did the same for us.
Stand Up & Organize
Our union is strong when we vigorously defend member rights and dignity. We cannot thrive in a place where we aren’t treated with respect.
Instead of relying on a cozy relationship with management — trading in some of our rights with the false hope of better treatment — let’s rely on our union’s organizing strength (each other) to ensure our workplace rights are protected.
We need everyone’s help: members who know their rights, people willing to stand up for their co-workers, worksite leaders organizing their teammates, campus reps advocating for members, a bold and well-staffed Grievance Committee, experienced organizing leads, and union leaders who set clear and firm expectations with management.
Year one projects
Union change and improvement takes time. Here are some projects I’d like to facilitate or support as President during the 2026-2027 academic year.
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How can members take part in union activities, or engage with their rights as members, if they don’t have the necessary information or resources? I’d like to see toolkits on our website to help folks get started. Examples include:
How to propose amendments to our Constitution & Bylaws (with sample proposals)
How to prepare a grievance (questions to ask, details to include, how to get on the Grievance Committee agenda)
Bad boss or single issue organizing (survey ideas, access to button makers and signs, planning template for an escalating campaign)
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Did you know that FCE has a Worksite Leader Program? It’s a great way to get involved and organize with your coworkers without taking on the time commitment and duties of an Executive Council member.
This is a newer program. I’m hoping it will grow a lot over the next two years, and I think strong support from the FCE President would help make that happen. Ultimately, I’d love to see a worksite leader in every department, at every location — representing departments, affinity groups, skill groups, etc.
So far, this program has proven to be a great way for folks to dip their toes into union projects, explore their strengths, and do some amazing work. Our FCE Strike Committee Co-Chair was a worksite leader, and several others worksite leaders led our strike picket crews.
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Dues reform means ensuring lower paid Classified workers aren’t spending a higher percentage of their income on dues than higher paid workers.
I support the union leaders and Finance Committee members who are spearheading this effort. We need a union that’s fair and accessible to all our members.
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The next round of bargaining is coming up soon. Our next Contract Action Team (CAT) will likely form this Summer or early Fall. This cycle, I’d like to see:
Bargaining preparations start early.
Members on our CAT from historically underrepresented employee groups and departments.
Tools for submitting bargaining platform ideas and suggested contract changes year-round, as the ideas arise.
Alignment and collaboration with FFAP and collaborating on bargaining and a pressure campaign.
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Three PCC board seats are up for re-election in Spring 2027, which means we need to start searching for union-friendly candidates now. What could PCC look like if workers and students helped to shape the future of our board?
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Collaborating on this scale takes more than interest — it requires new systems. I’ll work with FFAP and FCE leadership to ensure our corresponding committees have processes in place that support easier and quicker collaboration. We don’t want to recreate the wheel every time we plan a joint organizing effort.