Oxnard College Teachers Picket Over Pay : Labor: Faculty members explain their side of the contract talks to students on campus. They say the next step may be a strike.

Oxnard College teachers lifted picket signs and passed out leaflets Wednesday to rally students’ support for the faculty’s battle to gain higher pay and better working conditions.

The teachers, who have been without a contract since July, said negotiations with school officials have gone nowhere. If current efforts to mediate the dispute fail, they said, their next step will be to strike.

“There’s been no evidence of any movement on the part of the district at all,” said Luanne Crockett, an Oxnard College chemistry teacher. “We will probably end up striking. They’re giving us no choice.”

Teachers waved signs in front of the administrative offices and pulled students aside to explain their position.

About three dozen students watched the protest, held during a one-hour lunch break on the 5,200-student campus.

This was the first labor action by teachers since about half of the school’s faculty called in sick Nov. 24 to dramatize their cause.

But for many of the students, the picketing marked the first time they were able to learn the details of the conflict.

“I didn’t know the details of what was going on,” said Lorena Garcia, a 19-year-old sociology major. “I’m glad they came out to explain it to us, because what happens to them happens to us.”

Student Ruby Salinas added: “From what they say, it sounds like things need to change. They’re not being treated fairly.”

Teachers said they were holding the picket on their lunch hour because they did not feel it was appropriate to discuss the conflict during class time.

“We wanted to take it outside,” said Jim Merrill, an English teacher who has worked at the school for 13 years. “We wanted the chance to tell the students what we’re after, because a lot of it will have an impact on them.”

The leaflet passed out Wednesday states that teachers are fighting not only for employee benefits, but for reduced class sizes, restoration of canceled classes and more money for student services.

The 367 full-time teachers at Ventura County’s three community colleges are also pushing for a cost-of-living increase and a 3% pay raise. They have not received any raise since 1991.

Ventura County Community College District officials Wednesday were in the midst of mediation talks at Camarillo Airport, and were not available for comment.

In an interview earlier in the week, one official said the teachers’ demands would cost the district an estimated $1.5 million, money it does not have.

Oxnard College officials said their main concern is to finish the semester without a major disruption.

“We’re not taking any sides,” college spokesperson Cathy Garnica said. “We have no problem with the teachers speaking out about their position, as long as things keep running smoothly.”

But many of the students on campus Wednesday said they would support the teachers, even if they decide to strike.

“I will be behind them no matter what they decide,” said Isidro Cervantes, a 21-year-old education major.

“I want to be a teacher, so they are fighting for rights that someday I will want to enjoy,” he said. “It may be an inconvenience for us right now, but in the long run it will benefit everyone.”

Several students who were not at the picketing also said they supported the teachers.

“If they’re not treated right, then we won’t get the education we deserve,” said Tami Ward, a 20-year-old psychology major. “If they have to strike, I’ll be standing out there with them.”

Teachers said they have no formal plans to strike, but will continue their informational picketing at Moorpark College today and at Ventura College on Friday.