Our History

Representation of the Cabrillo College classified employees by SEIU started in 1979, when the classified workers decertified C.S.E.A., who had previously represented us. The Public Employees Relation Board (PERB) had previously mandated that our bargaining unit would consist of all non-certificated (non-teaching) workers except management, confidential, substitute and short-term employees. Past presidents of the Cabrillo College chapter include: Kathy Abma, Ken Florance, Alexa McCrea, Bonnie Bodhe, Marla Henry, Dave Morales and Stepahnie Stainback. Alexa and Kathy recently retired, their knowledge and expertise is missed, yet Kathy continues to stay in touch and assist us when necessary. Bonnie retired several years ago. Marla left Cabrillo, returned as an elected trustee (endorsed by SEIU) to Cabrillo's governing board, and then retired from that position. Dave left Cabrillo to become a Field Representative for SEIU Local 415 for the County of Santa Cruz while Ken left for the greener pastures of private industry in the information technology field.

2003 would go down in history as one of the toughest year on records for the Classified Staff. The last several semesters has brought a decrease in student enrollment therefore, a decrease in funding from the State. In 2003 the Classified workers honored many of our longest tenured staff members with a retirement celebration at Chaminade at Santa Cruz. We wish them all the best health and happiness.

Our most recent past president, Stephanie Stainback served us with great dedication and was a tirelessly strong voice for five years. Due to term limits, Stephanie stepped down as president in 2005. The Classified workers honored her tenure as president with a special decree. As Stephanie re-learns her real job as Laboratory Instructional Assistant in the Library, she remains active in the Chapter as an advisor to the Council for a year, as well as an elected Steward. She also remains active in various committees including the Vice President's of Instruction hiring and Health Benefits committees. We are all very happy to have her remain active and have her tireless support of our Chapter.

2006 brought many challenges to the Cabrillo Chapter leadership but each was met with grace, respect and strength that pervade the Classified ranks. Lena Mason was elected President but was unable to complete her term. The Chapter Council decided that a special membership meeting needed to be held to determine who would fill the President position and any other leadership positions that might result. The General membership elected Janus Blume' as Interim President, Leah Hlavaty moved into fill the Interim First Vice President position and Alta Northcutt filled in the Interim Second Vice President Positions. All three of these women fulfilled their union duties with fantastic grace and dignity during some tough times. We thank each of them for their willingness to step forward and take on these challenges.

January 2007 elections brought a wealth of leadership experience and dedication to the forefront as the Chapter discusses affiliation issues once again. Stephanie Stainback was again elected President, Janus Blume 1st VP, Alta Northcutt 2nd VP, Sharon Spence Recorder, Cathleen Reno Treasurer and Mikki Adams, Lori Amato, Anya Finke, Dale Jerred and Lena Mason as Members at Large. Visit the Chapter Officers link above for more elected Executive Chapter Officer information and Committee Representatives.

By the end of April 2007, the overwhelming majority of Cabrillo workers voted to disaffiliate from SEIU and organize their own independent union, Cabrillo Classified Employees Union (CCEU), and the Cabrillo Community College District recognized the new independent workers union as the official bargaining agent for the classified workers. Business of forming a new non-profit union moved fast. By early summer, a lawyer/consultant had been hired to see us thought this transition period, workers had approved a new constitution (which governs how we conduct business), new policies and procedures are in the works, as is identifying a logo and colors and much more!

Summer in Aptos kept Classified workers and leadership very busy preparing registering students and preparing for faculty arrival for the traditional flex week activities but this year. . . something is a little different. The fledgling CCEU has established several new committees including a Member Relations Committee greet new members and plan our social events and all goodwill efforts, an Audit and Budget Committee to oversee all our finances and prepare reports for the Board and General Membership and a Grievance Committee that works closely with our Union Consultant and maintains the representation policy, decide merits and significance of all steward cases and decides points of emphasis for contract interpretation.

All work and no fun makes the Classified workers a bit rummy? Well we had some fun too! With the great coordination of our current Member Relations Committee and 2nd Vice President, Alta Northcutt Cabrillo Classified obtained some fantastic identity! CCEU became a turquoise tide with a fantastic wave logo designed by Jill Gallo, Program Specialist, Nursing. Alta and her sea of turquoise volunteers made sure that every Classified worker on campus was provided with a turquoise t-shirt, sticker, and button to wear at 2007 All College Day!

On Friday, August 31, 2007, the "turquoise tide" turned out en mass with overwhelming beautiful turquoise T's and buttons as we filled the center section of the Theater in the presence of six of the last seven Cabrillo Presidents lined up on stage for morning events. The packed house of staff, faculty, administrators, Board of Trustees and honored guests including Mr and Mrs Richard Crocker and Cabrillo's first President, Robert Swenson. The Crocker's presented Cabrillo with a donation of $1,000,000 for the special place Cabrillo has played in their lives and the lives of their families. The new Theater will be named after the Crocker's. The morning continued with traditional humor and speeches from Faculty Senate, CCFT and our own Stephanie Stainback. Meritorious Service Awards were distributed to very deserving staff and faculty. Congratulations to our own Nikki Onito and Lyn Hood,