Whatever This Is, We’re In It Together.

Since I spend most of my time with union leaders, college faculty and management, and California politicians and political appointees, I am well aware that my political senses are biased. Still, I find myself surprised that those supported by the Republican Party have won the presidency, the Senate, and the House of Representatives. These next few years could see much change, even if international concerns settle down, which they probably won’t.

On the campaign trail, President Trump called for an end to tenure, merit pay for teachers and professors, and the immediate firing of all accreditors with these services to then be provided by a group appointed by the president. He also called for all migrants, including those with asylum claims, to be deported immediately, as would all persons born in the US to migrant parents since their birthright citizenship will be revoked.

I doubt that all these things will happen, but some might, at least to some degree. Clearly, the political landscape has changed and we’re in for a rocky ride. Fortunately, we have our union. By staying united we can face these uncertainties, minimize undesired impacts and fight back against proposed injustice. Together, we can prevail.

Trump’s pick of historically labor-friendly Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Oregon) as his Labor Secretary provides some hope that he meant it when he said at a rally “American workers should be able to negotiate for better wages.” Still, there’s much reason for concern. The AFL-CIO opined in late 2023 that “Donald Trump told us in 2016 he would stand with workers. He lied. … Former President Trump spent four years in office weakening unions and working people while pushing tax giveaways to the wealthiest among us. He stacked the courts with judges who want to roll back our rights on the job. He made us less safe at work. He gave big corporations free rein to lower wages and made it harder for workers to stand together in a union.”

On the plus side, the Economic Policy Institute reported this past July that “[b]y some measures, support for labor unions among the U.S. public is at its highest level in over half a century. … [W]e find that U.S. workers today are much less likely to oppose union representation in their workplaces. Although there is evidence of greater support for unionization among workers, the most remarkable change is the much larger share of workers who report being unsure about whether they would vote for union representation …The ranks of the ‘union curious’—workers who are open to, but uncertain about, the possibility that unionization can improve their lives—are large and growing.”

Americans originally banded together into unions to stop a repeat of disasters like the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, to create improved working conditions such as an eight-hour day, sick leave, and understandable evaluation processes, and to pressure managers and owners for improved salaries in a way that few could accomplish as individuals. Going forward, remaining together and keeping a sense of solidarity is how we can continue to make progress, how we can continue to keep the support of the American public and how we can turn those “union curious” into union supporters.

Although the president, our governor and each seat of Congress and state Legislature matter, CCA’s work is the same no matter who holds these offices. As our mission statement indicates, we advocate for California’s public community college faculty, staff, and students; empower locals; build strong and effective coalitions; promote equity, inclusion, anti-racism, social justice, and part-time faculty equality, and strive to preserve universal access to quality public education.

In 2025, you’re likely to hear from CCA a little more often than in the past. When you receive an email that asks you to contact someone, please do. When we or your local leaders report that people are needed to rally at a location, please go. When we stand together, we are much more likely to succeed, and even if the decision of your local leaders or the CCA Council isn’t exactly what you’d do if you were in charge, I hope that we will stand together as we seek the best path for ourselves and our students. While our federal political situation is unclear, whatever this is, we’re in it together.