But Chirra, already an experienced negotiator, learned a lot along the way to a settlement. If not, the other side will control the rhythm. He suggested that faculty representatives establish moral superiority early on and to speak with one voice - although it may be helpful to spice up the negotiations with a few wild people. Faculty at Mira Costa used humor by putting up cartoons in the bathrooms suggesting that part timers hold their office hours from the stalls. They also effectively cultivated relationships with the media so that the newspaper was on their side when reports came out.
Bargaining is a time for faculty to become more outspoken.
The part-timers were able to negotiate a pilot program on office hours in the last contract. After 23 years on the Mt. San Antonio campus, faculty member Nick Crow learned there is one common methodology used by the administration in negotiations. Any way they can drive a wedge between faculty members, they will do it. To combat that strategy, Crow said that the Mt. San Antonio College Association started negotiations early and made sure the faculty had collected all the information and data it needed in advance.