• Your BCEA negotiation team collectively bargains for better wages, benefits and working conditions. Unions negotiate with administration on behalf of all members, which gives faculty a stronger voice in the process. 

• Protect your job and rights. Your BCEA can help you defend yourself against unfair treatment or discipline. Our grievance team can also represent you in grievance procedures and arbitration.

• Have a voice in academic decision-making. Unions give faculty a seat at the table when administrators are making decisions about curriculum, workload, and other academic matters.

• Get support and resources for your professional development. The BCEA (our local) is also part of the statewide California Teacher's Association which offers members access to training and workshops, as well as other resources to help them improve their teaching and research.

• Save money on member benefits. Your membership in CTA provides discounts on insurance, travel, and other products and services.

In addition to these general benefits, your faculty union also advocates for specific issues that are important to our members, such as online evaluation processes and job descriptions. Unions have played a leading role in fighting for tenure protections, academic freedom, and shared governance.

If you are unsure whether or not to join the BCEA, here are a few questions to consider:

• Butte College offers competitive salaries and excellent benefits. Do you want our District to maintain these levels of compensation?

• Do you feel like you have a say in academic decision-making? Our collective bargaining agreement reflect the BCEA's continuous efforts to keep faculty at the heart of our institution.

• Do you feel like you are treated fairly by your administration? Our collective bargaining agreement describes and protects faculty rights; our grievance team holds administration accountable if our contract is not upheld and our leadership team strives to identify emerging needs, brings those needs to our negotiation team who then goes to the bargaining table to lock language into our contract.

Joining a union is a voluntary decision. You cannot be forced to join, and you can withdraw your membership at any time. However, if you want to have a voice in your workplace and fight for better working conditions, joining your faculty union is a great way to do it.