The Peralta Federation of Teachers, Local 1603 now represents 1000 full- and part-time faculty working at Berkeley City College, College of Alameda, Laney College, and Merritt College. At the state level, PFT works with the California Federation of Teachers, which comprises 140 AFT locals. Established in the 1970s as the sole bargaining unit for teachers, librarians, counselors, and nurses at the
Peralta Community College District, Local 1603 now represents the more than 1000 full- and part-time faculty working at Berkeley City College, College of Alameda, Laney College, and Merritt College. For four decades, PFT has fought to improve wages, benefits, and working conditions for all Peralta faculty members. PFT has worked hard to develop and defend a comprehensive contract that covers all aspects of faculty members’ working lives. Over the years the union has effectively secured the rights of all those covered by its collective bargaining agreement, union members and fee-payers alike.
