CVTC Teachers’ Union
Statement of Principles

The CVTC Teachers’ Union believes that

Ø Our mission is to serve the vocation/educational needs of the students and community. Students deserve sound instruction that helps them grow as individuals and prepares them for employment.

Ø An atmosphere in which faculty feel secure, respected, and professional promotes sound instruction for students.

Ø The collective bargaining process establishes the framework within which we operate.

Ø The quality process should be used to guide day-to-day operations in accordance with that framework. A credible quality process includes decisions made by those most directly involved based on relevant comprehensive data. Unilateral decision-making and individual bargaining is inconsistent with both the collective bargaining process and the quality process.

Ø A stable and understandable working environment is necessary for effective instruction. Stability and understandability are fostered by clear guidelines that are widely disseminated and followed. The Union recognizes that change will occur but also believes that the proper forum for managing changes in members’ working conditions is negotiations.

Ø Our strength is in the whole and acting as a unified body ensures our role as a respected member of the decision-making process within the framework of a strong collective bargaining agreement. The role of the Teachers’ Union is to advocate for faculty needs and interests and to ensure that the collective bargaining agreement is implemented fairly and consistently. Unified action requires active participation, personal responsibility, ownership, and mutual respect and caring on the part of individual members. Members need to be aware of their rights and responsibilities. Decisions are made for the benefit of the whole in accordance with quality principles. Decision-making requires open deliberation among members who respect each other’s opinions. Once the Teachers’ Union makes a decision, it would be communicated to all members and supported by all.

Adopted August 1998