CODAA wins Prestigious IEA President’s Award for “Standing in Solidarity for the Greater Good”
March 11, 2020
On March 5, 2020, CODAA was presented with the President’s Award at the IEA-RA Delegate Convention by IEA President, Kathi Griffin.
CODAA President, Cheryl Baunbach-Caplan, accepted the award on behalf of all CODAA members. (speech below). This award was presented to CODAA in recognition of the courage and adherence to labor union principles it took to stand in unity with our colleagues in case of a full-time faculty strike. The CODAA board continues to be proud of our members and the cohesiveness of our bargaining unit. This award belongs to all of us.
Acceptance Speech for 2020 IEA President’s Award for Solidarity
Delivered by CODAA President on March 5, 2020
I am extremely honored to accept the IEA President’s award tonight on behalf of the CODAA officers and all our members.
Solidarity. It really is at the heart of all bargaining units, isn’t it? When the College presented us with a contingency plan offer in case of a full-time faculty strike, the first momentary reaction was “Wow!, the salary and benefits we deserve and have been fighting for for so long.” But in our hearts, as we discussed the offer as a Board — even those board members who struggle monthly to make ends meet — all knew we were going to turn it down. The momentary thrill turned quickly to anger over the recognition that, only to leverage their power over the full-time faculty, was the College willing to offer us the wages and benefits we deserve.
Our membership meeting, to discuss and vote on the offer, had the largest turn out ever! More than 100 members attended and many more came in to vote later that evening and the next morning. When votes were tallied, our membership had overwhelmingly rejected the College’s offer.
What could have divided the full and part-time faculty, instead became a catalyst for bringing us closer together. To show our support, we joined their rallies and spoke at the College’s Board of Trustees meetings. Relationships that have sometimes been strained over conflicting interests are being fostered and collaboration and reciprocity championed. We are working together, whenever possible, in the best interest of our students.
CODAA members wear a slightly different version of the red t-shirts sported by the FT faculty during negotiations. We share the slogan “Teaching Matters”. In our written response rejecting the College’s offer, we added another phrase — “Principles Matter”
We stood by our fellow faculty. We honored our principles. And the support from the IEA – especially from our then UniServe Director, Michelle Couturier — helped us all along the way.
CODAA 
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