A guaranteed voice
A seat at the table for salary, COLA, benefits, workload, flexibility, and working conditions.
Why We Are Organizing with AFT Guild
After numerous information sessions and discussions about the pros and cons of AFT and CSEA, we polled all eligible MiraCosta Classified Professionals. A majority chose AFT. Based on that clear mandate, we are moving forward together with AFT.
AFT Guild, Local 1931 is a member-driven union representing community college Classified Professionals, Faculty, and Hourly Workers throughout San Diego County. Its experience is closely aligned with the work we do and the institutions we serve.
Community college expertise
Support from a local union that already understands community college workplaces in our region.
Professional representation
Experienced assistance with bargaining, contract enforcement, research, organizing, and legal representation.
A member-led local voice
MiraCosta employees will identify priorities, elect local leaders, and shape the direction of our chapter.
Why a Union and Why Now?
MiraCosta Classified Professionals are the only California Community College classified staff without a union.
We currently depend on governance and meet-and-confer processes for decisions involving pay and working conditions. A union gives eligible Classified Professionals a legally recognized bargaining representative and a direct voice in negotiations.
Professional support
Experienced negotiators backed by labor research, organizing resources, and legal support.
An enforceable contract
Clear commitments that cannot be changed unilaterally, instead of relying on informal understandings or “me too” treatment.
Protection during budget pressure
A recognized voice when decisions affect staffing, workload, compensation, benefits, or workplace flexibility.
Representation when problems arise
A defined process and knowledgeable representation for workplace disputes, contract questions, and employee concerns.
The post-2018 pay system is not sustainable
Employees hired after 2018 are placed on a five-step salary schedule. After the final step, regular salary progression stops; employees receive only COLAs and small one-time payments that do not increase base salary. That hurts retention and treats employees doing comparable work differently based on hire date.
View the salary comparison
This graph shows how the post-2018 Classified salary structure falls behind the progression available to other employee groups.
Another classification and compensation study is here
The last major study created the current two-tier compensation system. During the current study, Classified Professionals need independent expertise, research, and representation on our side of the table.
What Employees Want From a Union
Employees were not asking for a union simply to have a union. They identified practical improvements that collective bargaining could provide.
76% want stronger negotiating power
A union-backed team focused on compensation, COLA, longevity, classification, benefits, and working conditions.
“Stronger negotiations: We are at a disadvantage compared to the district, as we do not have the same level of legal expertise or depth of knowledge regarding labor laws and regulations. As a result, negotiation outcomes often favor the district when we engage directly.”
Survey respondent
55% want better working conditions
Including workload, out-of-class work, scheduling, flexibility, and workplace fairness.
“Teleworking for eligible employees to support work-life balance. COLA. Longevity.”
Survey respondent
54% want stronger advocacy
Representation that recognizes the varied work and roles of Classified Professionals.
“Advocating for staff needs, fostering professional development and keeping all staff in the loop about what is happening”
Survey respondent
52% want fairer and more consistent policies
Clearer, more transparent, and more equitable application of workplace rules and processes.
“Ensuring the Class and Comp study is done fairly and effectively. Ensuring that Classified are appropriately represented in the various spaces and conversations.”
Survey respondent
Union Dues
Of course, getting the benefits of a union costs money. That is done through dues.
Why We Pay Dues
Dues are how members pool resources to build effective, reliable, and fair representation for themselves and their colleagues. They support the year-round work required to negotiate a strong contract, protect employee rights, and keep members informed and involved.
Contract negotiations
Staff time plus legal, economic, and educational research needed to develop and negotiate our bargaining program.
Representation and enforcement
Ongoing help protecting employee rights and enforcing the commitments in a collective bargaining agreement.
Legislative advocacy
Work by the local, state, and national union to monitor legislation affecting community college funding, working conditions, and benefits.
Member voice and benefits
Members can vote for and run for Guild office and may access AFT-sponsored insurance, legal, identity-protection, and discount programs.
AFT Guild emphasizes that its strength comes from active membership. Dues provide the shared resources; members set priorities, participate in the union, and choose the leaders who carry that work forward.
Cost of Dues
AFT Guild dues are 1.5% of gross pay in each paid month, with a $21 monthly minimum. MiraCosta local unit dues will be determined later; local dues are typically about $2–$3 per month.
The percentage rate is the same for 10-, 11-, and 12-month employees. Dues are owed only in months when an employee is paid, so a 10-month employee pays dues in 10 months, an 11-month employee in 11 months, and a 12-month employee in 12 months.
Questions People Are Asking
Who is AFT Guild?
The American Federation of Teachers is a national union representing educators, higher-education faculty and professional staff, paraprofessionals and other school-related personnel, public employees, and healthcare workers. In San Diego County, AFT Guild Local 1931 is a member-driven affiliate representing community-college classified professionals, faculty, and hourly workers. AFT provides bargaining, organizing, research, training, and legal support.
Does signing a union authorization card start dues?
No. Signing an authorization card is part of the organizing and recognition process; it does not by itself start dues deductions. The AFT Guild organizing team will explain the certification process, dues timing, and any payroll authorization during the upcoming information and sign-up sessions.
Who would represent us?
MiraCosta Classified Professionals would form their own local chapter and elect their own officers and stewards. The union would provide professional support, but the local chapter would be run by MiraCosta employees.
What would happen to the Classified Senate?
A union and the Classified Senate serve different purposes. The Senate participates in shared governance and campus decision-making. A union bargains over wages, hours, benefits, and working conditions and enforces the resulting contract. Both can continue to serve Classified Professionals.
I was hired before 2018. Why should I support a union?
A union protects existing compensation and benefits while giving all employees a stronger voice in future negotiations. The goal is not to take longevity away from pre-2018 employees. It is to protect what employees have earned and improve the system for those who were left behind.
I was hired after 2018. Why should I support a union?
The five-step salary schedule sharply limits long-term salary growth. A union could bargain for additional steps, stronger longevity payments, better benefits, or other improvements that recognize continued service.
What happens next?
We will announce information and sign-up sessions soon. At those sessions, Classified Professionals can ask questions, learn about AFT Guild, and review and sign union authorization cards. Once enough eligible employees sign, the cards can be submitted for verification through the state recognition process.
After recognition, we will establish our MiraCosta chapter, elect local leadership, identify bargaining priorities with members, and begin negotiating our first contract.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Get notified when information and union sign-up sessions are scheduled, ask questions, and help build our AFT Guild chapter.