NAPA, CA — Unionized employees at Napa Valley College are intensifying their demands for higher wages as contract negotiations with college administrators continue to stall. In a region as costly as Napa County, workers say their pay is insufficient to cover the rising cost of living.
The latest chapter in these negotiations unfolded on March 20, when around 75 faculty and classified staff members gathered at the college board meeting, urging trustees to address salary concerns. These employees, whose contracts expired in June 2024, are frustrated by the lack of progress in talks, particularly regarding pay.
According to 2023 data from the Chancellor’s Office for California Community Colleges, a tenured or tenure-track professor at Napa Valley College earns an average of $117,526 per year. This figure places the college 40th out of 73 community college districts in California. Classified support staff, such as custodians and maintenance workers, fare slightly worse, with an average salary of $69,611—roughly $5,000 below the state average for similar positions.
Faculty and classified staff members have pointed out that, despite their crucial roles in the institution’s day-to-day operations, their compensation lags behind the cost of living in one of the most expensive regions of the state.
“We are here today to express our protest, concern and frankly, frustration over our salary situation,” said John Kincheloe, president of the Napa Valley College Faculty Association, during his remarks at the board meeting. “We are asking that you take seriously our need to be paid fairly.”
The faculty union, which represents 115 active members, is calling for annual raises of at least 6% over the next three years. Union representatives argue that these raises are necessary to keep pace with inflation and ensure that faculty members are paid competitively with other community college districts in California.
While the district has not publicly disclosed its most recent counter-proposal, a spokesperson for Napa Valley College, Jenna Sanders, declined to comment on ongoing negotiations.
The protestors at the board meeting expressed their frustration over the current state of negotiations, with many pointing to the financial challenges faced by their colleagues. Renee Coffin, secretary of the classified professionals’ union, shared personal stories of staff members struggling to make ends meet.
“Some of them are living paycheck to paycheck and feeling the weight of financial hardship,” Coffin said. “We’re not asking for the world, we’re asking for the basics—fairness, equity, respect and support.”
The atmosphere at the meeting grew more tense as the group chanted “No contract, no peace” in solidarity with the call for fairer pay.
Classified staff members, represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), also highlighted the growing strain on their workloads. With a reduced workforce—classified staff numbers dropped from 187 in Fall 2019 to 153 in Fall 2024—many employees are taking on additional responsibilities, such as filling vacant positions and training temporary workers.
“The district claims that it must factor in affordability and financial viability when making budgetary decisions,” said Jessenia Cota, president of the Napa Valley College Union of Classified Professionals. “But at what cost to the professionals who keep this college running? You cannot balance the budget on our backs.”
The last contract for the two unionized employee groups was negotiated for the 2021-2024 period, which included annual raises of 4%, 4%, and 3.5% for classified staff, and raises for faculty members based on local property tax revenue increases. However, faculty members argue that this increase is insufficient given the growing financial pressures they face.
The faculty association has proposed a new wage increase structure for the 2024-2027 period, suggesting 5%, 8%, and 8% annual increases, aimed at pushing Napa Valley College into the top 24 best-paying community college districts in California. Currently, the college ranks 61st out of 73 districts in terms of faculty pay.
Faculty members contend that the district’s financial situation has improved since 2021, with reserves growing from $4.5 million (10% of its unrestricted fund) in the 2020-2021 academic year to a projected $8.7 million (16.8% of its unrestricted budget) in 2024-2025. In addition, the college has set aside $750,000 for new employee contracts, which union leaders argue demonstrates that the district has the means to offer more competitive salaries.
Despite this, the district is facing challenges with state compliance regarding salary allocations for classroom instructors. The state requires that at least 50% of a community college district’s educational expenses be dedicated to salaries and benefits for classroom instructors. Napa Valley College is currently at 45.28%, falling short of this requirement.
As contract talks continue, both faculty and classified staff are hopeful for a resolution before the end of the semester in mid-May. However, with tensions running high and both sides remaining at an impasse over pay, it remains unclear whether an agreement can be reached in time.
For now, the call for fair wages continues, as Napa Valley College employees fight for recognition of their contributions to the institution’s success in one of the state’s most expensive counties.