Dear faculty, 

The end of the Spring semester and the 2024-25 academic year comes with changes, departures, challenges and accomplishments. This is my last CCFT newsletter introduction as I head into retirement from Cabrillo after nearly thirty six years as a faculty member. I admit that it feels weird to retire, maybe denial, some trepidation, after so many years at this one institution, as first an associate faculty and then full time. I prefer the idea that I’m graduating from Cabrillo and moving forward with my creative pursuits as a studio artist. While this change is personal to me, changes impacting faculty will be greater in upcoming years. Please read on, or reach out to your division Council Rep, for updates on negotiations of the CCFT three year contract and incoming officers and Council Representatives, and more.

There are many to thank who have worked tirelessly in recent years supporting Cabrillo faculty and our contract. Thanks to the following:

Outgoing CCFT Officers 

• Kim Mansfield, VP Full-time (Cabrillo Committees, Council Reps, oversight)
• Albi Romero, Chief Negotiator & COPE Chair (numerous wins, political actions)
• Cristy Pazera, Treasurer (detailed financial steward of CCFT budgets)
• Megan Robertson, Historian and past Treasurer (introduced retired members, stellar budget officer)

Incoming Officers 

• Greg Hanle, President
• Megan Alisago, VP Full-time
• John Govsky, VP Part-time
• Steve Hodges, Treasurer
• Organizing Chair, Grievance Officer Claire Thorson
• David Sheftman, Historian
• New Council Reps & Continuing Reps.

CCFT staff 

• Daniel Dodge, Executive Director 
• Nahara Villabos, Administrative Assistant

Together they have managed the daily work and support of the CCFT EBoard, Council, union members, and led and organized countless political events and actions.

Short list of CCFT accomplishments over the last five years 

• Negotiated more than 20% compensation increases for all faculty, corrected and added steps and columns to salary schedules.
• Campaigned for changes to Repeatability Restrictions, collaborated with CFT Higher Ed. Issues Committee updating resolutions and AB 811 text, lobbied State Reps.
• Support and advice for CCFT & faculty navigating through the first Trump administration’s Reign of Errors.
• Organized CCFT members to canvas and campaign for the Measure R Bond.
• Immediate action, negotiations, and detailed MOU’s during the initial Pandemic phase and shut-down.
• Negotiated for more union engagement and participation with the Emergency Operations Committee & other related committees.
• Co-authored MOU’s and negotiated one-time stipends for faculty support during the Pandemic.
• Initiated the CCFT Faculty Member’s Emergency Relief fund during the Santa Cruz fires and more.
• Organized CCFT support for faculty members, and Pajaro Valley schools, impacted by the Santa Cruz floods.
• Organized CCFT in support of the Cabrillo College Name Change campaign.
• Lobbied in support of Associate faculty health insurance access.
• Attended numerous CFT conventions and training.
• Marched and shouted – Pajaro Valley Pride, Santa Cruz Pride, MLK march & rally, CFT marches & rallies.
• We danced a lot and so much more.

My final gratitude goes out to our faculty and staff. You have been an inspiration to work with. I will always be grateful for your love and support.

With grace and solidarity,

Tobin

CCFT President, Art Department Faculty, Artist

Celebrating our Retirees 

We look forward to seeing you at the graduation and retirement party tomorrow, where we will celebrate the hard work and accomplishments of the year! We also want to take this opportunity to recognize and express our gratitude to our colleagues who will be retiring this spring. 

⭐️Celia Brezner⭐️

⭐️Cheryl Anderson⭐️

⭐️Claudia Close⭐️

⭐️Dorothy Nunn⭐️

⭐️Jennifer Cass⭐️

⭐️Nancy Spangler⭐️

⭐️Natalie Vanoli⭐️

⭐️Tobin W. Keller⭐️

⭐️Andrea Massalski⭐️

⭐️Gail West⭐️

⭐️James Christianson⭐️

⭐️K. Groppi⭐️

⭐️Marianne Toedtman-Sullivan⭐️

We will greatly miss you all, but we wish you the best in the next chapter of your journey and are grateful for the legacies you have left behind. 

Upcoming Meetings, Events, and Opportunities

Santa Cruz Pride 50 – Sunday, June 1st! 

Please join and march with faculty members, Cabrillo Rainbow Council and Gender & Sexuality Alliance, Sunday, June 1st! 

Gathering at Hula’s off Pacific Ave.,10 a.m. Reach out to Tobin for more information.

Santa Cruz Pride (June 1) – 50th Anniversary 

Check the Spring 2025 Events Calendar for More on Local Events! 

Our website will also begin highlighting upcoming events in the calendar on the home page. 

Organizing Update 

40 Years Strong!

Founded in 1985 by full time and part time faculty, CCFT has been advocating for faculty for 40 years. Join us in celebrating the success of our faculty union in the coming year. Become more involved in the work we do to support faculty. We work both locally and at the state and national levels to protect public education and workers’ rights. Reach out to your Council Reps or Executive Board to learn more about what you can do.

We Got a Grant from CFT!

We were awarded a Member Organizing Grant from CFT! We’ll be reaching out in fall 2025 to engage with faculty, build solidarity, and strengthen our collective voice. Stay tuned for news of actions and events that YOU can be part of. WE are the Union!

CCFT Election Results!

Our Fall 2025 elections for CCFT Treasurer, open council seats, and updates to the CCFT Constitution and Bylaws closed on May 19th.

Congratulations to 🎉

• Treasurer: Steve Hodges
• Access Rep: Salvetoria Larter
• BSS (Business & Social Sciences) Reps: Emily Dansker, Luz R Hoyt, & Cassidy Sterling
• CEWD (Career Education & Workforce Development) Rep: Serena Federman
• HPS (Health & Public Service) Rep: Brandy Dickinson
• STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) Reps: Lenny Leum & Cristy Pazera
• WATS (Watsonville) Rep: Trista Bailey
• VAPA (Visual, Applied & Performing Arts) Reps: Heather Gray & Leslie Murray

Seats Still Open: 

• ELLA (English, Library & Language Arts): 3 Rep. seats open
• HPS (Health & Public Service): 2 Rep. seats open
• LIB and TASS (Library and Tutoring & Academic Support Services): 1 Rep. seat open
• STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math): 2 Rep. seats open
• VAPA (Visual, Applied & Performing Arts): 2 Rep. seats open

Constitution & Bylaws Changes: Approved

Negotiations Update

Negotiations are in full swing and we’re meeting with the District weekly. Salary proposals are going back and forth, as well as a number of other items that need to be negotiated and reviewed before our 3 year contract ends on June 30th. 

As in past years, check your email in late June and early July as we will be having a ratification vote (most likely in early July) and your participation is important.

Executive Director’s Report

The Monterey Bay Central Labor Council (MBCLC) held its annual Labor Dinner on April 25 in Monterey. Unionists from the 80 unions that belong to the MBCLC were honored and recognized, including our own CCFT unionist Kimberly Mansfield. Kim has served our local in various roles over the years, including Treasurer and Full-Time Faculty Vice President. We are grateful for all that Kimberly has accomplished to support the faculty here at Cabrillo.

 

Unionist of the year Kimberly Mansfield, Organizing  Chair Claire Thorson and Chief Negotiator, Albi Romero.

May Day Rally in Watsonville Plaza

CCFT, MBCLC, and union members from across Santa Cruz County gathered at the Watsonville Plaza to celebrate working families on Workers’ Day of Action, May 1. Our own CCFT legend, Enrique Buelna, spoke at the event, energizing the crowd with his passionate support for working-class families, community, and solidarity.

CCFT member Enrique Buelna on the microphone.

Earlier that day, a march was held in Salinas with support from local unions throughout the Monterey Bay area. The loud and festive demonstration brought attention to a typically quiet midday downtown corridor. The march concluded at the Old Monterey County Jail, where Cesar Chavez was once held for 20 days for refusing to call off a lettuce boycott during a strike against Bud Antle Inc. in support of the United Farm Workers’ representation of agricultural laborers.

A recent rally by the Campaign for Organic and Regenerative Agriculture was held in Watsonville to promote organic growing in the Pajaro Valley. Dolores Huerta, at 95 years old and a Presidential Medal of Freedom awardee, was the guest speaker. She reminded us that the fight for social justice is timeless and enduring.

The results of the youth survey—coordinated by CCFT in collaboration with the UCSC Center for Labor and Community—will be presented on Friday, May 16, at the 418 Project at 5:00 pm. Researchers will share key findings from this extensive study, which focused on working conditions and attitudes toward organizing among individuals aged 18–34 in Santa Cruz County. Over 200 Cabrillo students participated in the survey.

Finally, our CCFT President, Tobin Keller, is retiring this year. Tobin is a truly dedicated educator who has changed countless lives for the better. We wish you the very best in your future endeavors, Tobin, and thank you for all you have given to CCFT and our community. ¡Sí Se Puede!

Building our Strength 

CCFT is your Faculty Union. We negotiate on your behalf. We advocate for faculty in shared governance. We work with our affiliate unions at the state and national levels to protect public education and workers’ rights.  

If you have not yet become a member, please use this online membership form to join us. Your voice and your participation make us stronger. 

When you join, you may also contribute to our Committee on Political Education (COPE) to support candidates and campaigns that align with our values. You may update your membership and COPE contribution anytime. 

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram @ccft4400