A Conversation With CCEU President Alta Northcutt
Alta Northcutt, President of CCEU, recently took time out of her busy schedule to sit down and catch up the Faculty Voice on classified staff activities and priorities. The classified staff is in the process of approving their own Tentative Agreement with the District, and other challenges await the new team.
Faculty Voice: How are you doing and feeling now as CCEU's new president? How is the new team working together?
Alta Northcutt: I am feeling great. At one point I found it challenging just trying to fit my personality and style to the organization and what people had become comfortable with. It seemed anything I did was measured against my predecessor. But as I became more comfortable with my team and being true to who I am, the rest feel into place. I never apologize for how I function, but I do want to respect that change sometimes takes time to get used to.
FV: What are CCEU's top priorities right now?
AN: If I had to narrow it down to a top three list, it’d be this: first, having a contract in place that allows people to make decisions about their future plans as employees of Cabrillo; second, creating an inclusive environment that allows the voice of classified employees the same weight as faculty and students, where we are not seen as obstacles but as contributors; and third, trying to find the best way to speak the truth of the classified with integrity, respect, and dignity.
FV: What are your biggest concerns about negotiations, given the economic climate?
AN: That people will think the classified nation has no concept of the bigger picture. In fact, we are taking the time to plan and evaluate the long-term effects of negotiating away things that drew people to Cabrillo. If pay were the biggest appeal, there would be very few people in the classified ranks! I am concerned that the outcome of negotiations will leave people feeling disenfranchised and perpetuate the idea of “us versus everyone else.”
FV: Where is CCEU in considering affiliation with other unions (and, of course, are you going to pick AFT)?
AN: We have a team investigating our options and I know that AFT is a big contender, mainly for the solidarity with CCFT. However, I would be out of my lane regarding this topic since affiliation is the ONE committee I do not sit on!
FV: What can we do in CCFT to better support our staff colleagues at the college?
AN: Continue fostering a relationship that allows for open and honest dialogue. Sometimes our issues are so very different, and the results play out pitting us against one another. Having an avenue where we can come together and discuss how decisions affect our groups can only create better understanding of the collective needs at Cabrillo.
