Hartnell College and faculty union reach agreement on a tentative contract.

After months of failed negotiations that culminated in an impasse necessitating the help of an outside mediator, the Hartnell Community College District and Hartnell College Faculty Association have tentatively agreed to a three-year contract. Negotiations on Thursday, Dec. 7, began at 9am and didn’t end until 16 hours later. The agreement was signed at 1am, Dec. 8.

HCFA leaders hailed the agreement for its “many wins” in a statement.

“While increases will vary, everyone will see healthy increases during this three-year contract,” said HCFA President Nancy Schur-Beymer. “This agreement moves Hartnell College from last place to first in the region and significantly increases the college’s salary rankings statewide.”

Union leaders said the agreement “leapfrogs” Hartnell faculty salaries over its closest community college neighbors, Monterey Peninsula, Gavilan and Cabrillo. Coaches and lab instructors will also see salary increases.

According to an announcement by the district, the contract provides an overall base salary increase of 10.45 percent over two years and restructures the current salary schedule, “creating a competitive salary structure for faculty.”

The tentative contract also includes healthcare for part-time faculty under a program established by Assembly Bill 190, that allows community colleges to apply for 100-percent reimbursement for costs through a state fund.

“This is huge, as faculty unions throughout the state are still struggling to win this,” Schur-Beymer said. “We believe ours is perhaps the 15th agreement out of the 72 community college districts in the state that utilizes the AB 190 reimbursement program. We’re proud part-time faculty will have the opportunity to take advantage of our excellent, employer-paid health care.”

The contract must still be approved by HCFA members, as well as by Hartnell’s Governing Board.