Salisbury, MD — The Wor-Wic Community College Faculty Association (WWCCFA) has reached a deal with the Board of Trustees and ratified its first negotiated contract. The new agreement, signed on Wednesday, July 9, comes with higher salaries and what they describe as improved working conditions.
“WWCC faculty have been struggling a long time for the kinds of predictable and fairer working conditions that this contract guarantees,” said Melissa Reddish, WWCCFA president and associate professor of English. “The ratification of this contract demonstrates how much the union means to its members. We’ve been organized for just two years, and we see our united voices make a difference.”
According to WWCCFA all 40 of their members took part in the contract vote, the contract was ratified with 94.74% support.
“I'm grateful the college has heard us as a unified faculty, speaking with one voice, so together we can improve campus culture as we continue to uplift and serve our students,” said Pamela Jones, a WWCCFA member and associate professor of Developmental Mathematics.
The contract went into effect retroactively on June 30.
Highlights of the improved contract include:
Pay raises between 2% and 5%
Extra pay for extra workload
More predictability in faculty contract renewals
Overall, WWCCFA says the contract empowers faculty with more control over their working conditions and clearer expectations.
“Our goal was to get a contract that assures faculty are treated with respect and gives them the ability to better serve our community and our students,” Reddish said.