College Teachers Get Sympathy, No Raise

Ventura County Community College District trustees say that impassioned testimony by frustrated teachers at this week’s board meeting has made an impression on them, even if it has not changed their minds about stalled contract negotiations.

“A visual impact, as well as an auditory impact like that, is pretty strong,” Trustee Pete Tafoya said Thursday.

He said, however, that the teachers’ request for a 3% raise plus a cost-of-living adjustment, in addition to other demands raised in contract negotiations, would prove too costly to the cash-poor district. Contract negotiations between the district and the teachers have been stalled for months.

“It would be one of those things that’s asking the district to go into bankruptcy,” he said.

About 100 faculty members crowded the district board room this week, some waving picket signs and chanting, “Settle now, settle now.”

Many of the teachers also spoke at the meeting, chronicling for board members their long hours inside and outside the classroom and complaining that the district does not appreciate them or the work they do.

“We really value them as employees and we understand their position,” Trustee Gregory P. Cole said Thursday. “I just wish some of those individuals would have more understanding for the plight we have. Something has got to give. We only have so much money.”

The district has asked teachers to take a cut in their health-care benefits in addition to maintaining the same salary they have had for the last 2 1/2 years. Trustees say it is impossible to offer anything else until they learn at the beginning of 1994 whether the state will make further cuts in the district’s property tax revenues.

“I understand where they’re coming from, but we’re living in a tough economy right now,” said Trustee Timothy Hirschberg. “There’s still uncertainty as to what funds we’ll have next year.”