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2025.01.09 Update – 2025, ACE Board Positions (APPLY), Meeting Rescheduled, Grant Ave Housing

Written by ACE

ACE Members,

President’s Message
It’s 2025, I’m feeling well rested after taking two weeks off. The renewed energy is being directed at responding to member emails, calls, and texts. At the same time, I’ve been hearing we’re all a little caught off guard that we’re back, so I’m not going to address anything too technical as a part of the first message of the year. Together we’ll make 2025 as good as we can.

ACE Board Position Updates
@Lindsay West has been appointed as Vice President of Central Services by the ACE Executive Board to serve the remainder of the elected term which @William Baldwin vacated due to retirement from the District. Bill was ever-present and a thoughtful contributor. We’re going to miss him but also wish him the best in retirement.

Lindsay’s appointment leaves a vacancy at the Central Services Board Member position, so we need you.

In addition, @Sharon Garcia-Vega has begun her elected term as Recorder, which has left a vacancy at the Foothill Board Member position, so we need more of you.

What’s required of a Board Member?

  • Attend ACE Executive Board Meetings, Site Meetings, and General Membership Meetings (2-3 hours per month).
  • Attend assigned committee (CS Classified Senate & HRAC | FH Classified Senate) (1-2 hours per month).
  • Be responsible for the operation of ACE, assuring appropriate expenditure of funds, proper and legal administrator and implementation of the constitution, and a representation of ACE.
  • Serving as an Executive Board Member requires subordination of personal interests to those that represent the highest good of the members. Board Members shall have no greater rights than any other member of ACE.

More questions?
Reach out directly to any current or former ACE Board Member.

I’m ready! How do I apply?
Respond to this message by January 16th with a statement of interest.

ACE Executive Board Meeting Rescheduled to January 29th
The upcoming Board Meeting has been rescheduled to 1/29. This will provide time to find two (2) new board members and we’ll have an executive board training that day provided by the Booth Law Group.

Grant Ave Affordable Housing Project
In December details on this project were provided during an onsite meeting with Kelly Hollywood from Mercy Housing. If you have an interest, I would highly suggest visiting – https://www.231grant.org/ where you can scroll to the bottom to be included on direct email notifications.

12 units have been allocated to Foothill-De Anza. They are a mix of studio, one bedroom and two bedroom units. The current distribution (which is subject to change) is 3 studios, 7 one bedrooms, and 2 two bedrooms. Units will be offered on a lottery system.

  • Water & garbage services are covered as a part of the rent.
  • Electricity is paid for by the occupant.

How long can I live there?
There is no time limit, but you must maintain your eligibility:

  • Your income must not exceed the specified limits.
  • Your employment must be with Foothill-De Anza.

More questions? Visit the project website and/or attend an upcoming meeting.

In Service,
Scott Olsen (he/him) | ACE President
https://acefhda.org | scott.olsen@acefhda.org  
650-949-7789 | M-F 8:00am-5:00pm

ACE News

RE: 2024.12.10 Update + SDL Application Deadline 12/15

Written by ACE

ACE Members,

Staff Development Leave Application Deadline
… and don’t forget that the deadline to submit your staff development leave application is December 15th. The form can be summitted without supervisor signatures for now, but those signatures would be needed by January 31st.  See 10.13 (LINK).

The easiest applications to approve clearly show exact leave start and end dates, along with supporting documentation detailing activities which fit eligibility for the leave.

In Service,

Scott Olsen (he/him) | ACE President
https://acefhda.org | scott.olsen@acefhda.org  
650-949-7789 | M-F 8:00am-5:00pm

Uncategorised

2024.12.10 Update – LiquidOffice & Floating Leave, DACA Resources, Holiday Party, Trustee Vacancy

Written by ACE

ACE Members,

President’s Message
We’re always looking for stories that demonstrate the value of working in a unionized workplace. If you have a story you would like to share about how ACE has impacted your life, let me know. Hopefully my story highlights the value of high-quality labor representation. Without union consultation and intervention, my experience would have ended very differently because there would have been no one on our family’s side. Even if you never experience a critical moment, our Agreement creates a fairer and more equal workplace every day.

LiquidOffice & Floating Leave
Rarely you’ll hear someone saying, “I’m taking 170 on Friday”, which refers to the LiquidOffice (LO) code for vacation. Below is a sample image of my LiquidOffice Time Card (LOTR) from October which includes the dropdown of available codes. I’d like to focus on 3 of them:

  • 180 Sick Leave – This is most commonly used for when you are sick and does not require pre-approval.
    • How to use it: “I’m staying home today, I’m sick” or “I have a medical appointment for preventative treatment or diagnosis”
    • See 10.1 (LINK)
  • 185 Personal Necessity Leave – This covers unavoidable emergencies and obligations related to your household (does not require pre-approval [unless it can be anticipated/scheduled]).
    • How to use it: “I have an unavoidable obligation that takes place during work hours. If you have questions, let schedule a conversation.”
    • See 10.10 (LINK)
  • 300 Floating Leave – This could be used for anything (requires pre-approval).
    • How to use it: “I would like to use floating leave on Friday. I’m not required to disclose the purpose or nature of this request.”
    • See 9.3 (LINK)

Human Resources is still working on negotiations with other bargaining units to align these leave labels in each contact and update the LOTR system. Until then, the best practice if you are using Floating Leave would be to select 300 and add a note in the “Comments” box stating that this time was used as Floating Leave. If you have difficulty using any of these leaves, consult with a steward.

DACA Resources
We are in the early stages of discussions with the District to do as much as possible to protect the employment of members who are covered by Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Individual employees can consult individually with an attorney from Path2Papers – https://sites.lawschool.cornell.edu/path2papers/ – but we are also doing so as an employer. Solutions would still have to comply with federal regulations, but we are doing as much as we can to make sure resources are provided and our Agreement supports continued employment if an employee authorization document (EAD) is not renewed. We’re checking the viability of sponsored work visas along with other options.

Foothill College hosts a representative from the Immigration Institute for the Bay Area (IIBA) – https://iibayarea.org/ – who is also available for employee questions. Appointment can be made via https://findyourally.com/ .

Reach out directly if you need support.

Classified Holiday Party 12/11 @ 12:30

Classified Staff at De Anza have arranged a holiday event at 12:30pm tomorrow. Get out of your office! Bring your ugly sweater to the campus center. ACE is providing pizza from Tasty Pizza and we’ll have membership applications handy if you have a new colleague who has yet to join as a member or has questions. Classified Senate is providing appetizers and drinks.

FHDA CCD Board of Trustees Vacancy
Do you know someone who lives in Sunnyvale who you would trust to weigh in on District decisions? There is an opening for appointment to fill the seat formerly held by Patrick Ahrens. Applications are open until January 3rd, 2025. Details are available online (LINK).

To be eligible they must be a California citizen, over 18 years old, registered to vote, and reside in Trustee Area 2.

In Service,

Scott Olsen (he/him) | ACE President
https://acefhda.org | scott.olsen@acefhda.org  
650-949-7789 | M-F 8:00am-5:00pm

Uncategorised