Community colleges: part-time employees.
This legislation will require community college districts to initiate negotiations regarding the compensation structure for part-time faculty as a condition for receiving funding under the Student Success and Support Program. Specifically, it states that, upon the expiration of existing collective bargaining agreements, districts must ensure that part-time faculty are compensated based on a proportional scale to full-time faculty. This represents a significant shift toward ensuring fair pay and could result in enhanced job stability and recognition for part-time instructors, who comprise a substantial portion of the teaching workforce in California's community colleges.
Assembly Bill 1752, introduced by Assembly Member Santiago, aims to enhance the compensation of part-time faculty employed in California's community colleges. The legislation mandates that part-time faculty receive pay proportional to the time they work in relation to full-time staff performing comparable duties. This requirement is expected to improve equity among faculty members, as part-time instructors currently earn approximately half of what their full-time counterparts make. The bill addresses longstanding inequities in compensation and working conditions faced by these educators, advocating for their recognition as critical components of the teaching workforce in community colleges.
AB 1752 is likely to spark debate among stakeholders in the education sector. Proponents argue that the bill is vital for promoting fairness and equity within the teaching community and addressing issues related to the professional treatment of part-time faculty. Opponents, on the other hand, may express concerns regarding the financial implications for community college districts and the potential for unintended consequences on budget allocations. Given the historical reliance on part-time faculty in California, the bill's passage could significantly alter the landscape of employment practices within community colleges across the state.