After more than three years of tenacious organizing, the San Jose Evergreen Federation of Teachers, AFT Local 6157, won full implementation of the State Part-Time Faculty Health Insurance Program. This means, part-time faculty with assignments of at least 40% of a full-time load will be eligible for the same health insurance benefits as full-time faculty, and it will not cost the district a cent. This hard fought victory takes effect beginning Spring 2027.
The win was driven by sustained, disciplined, coordinated work from the union, led by AFT 6157 Federation of Teachers President Jessica Breheny, alongside associate faculty representative Carol Abohatab.
Following the passage of AB 190 in 2022, members began organizing to secure full implementation of the newly expanded state program. The demands were simple: provide equitable healthcare benefits for part-time faculty by offering the same health insurance that full-time faculty receive and offer access to benefits for eligible part-time faculty with teaching assignments across districts. In addition, the district’s added costs would be fully covered by the dedicated state funding pool created by AB 190.
When negotiations began, district administrators and some board members were highly skeptical of the state’s commitment to fully funding the program, despite evidence that the funds would be available and sufficient to cover the anticipated costs. The union repeatedly demonstrated that many other districts had agreed to the 100% reimbursable plans, and had mitigating language allowing the agreement to be renegotiated or ended if the money ran out.
From the beginning, Abohatab helped anchor the campaign, building turnout, coordinating actions, and maintaining steady pressure through tabling, petitions, and local news write-ups.
Organizing escalated through public actions and coalition support, including a letter from the California Nurses Association and a regular presence at board meetings.
Momentum built through months of pressure, especially following the October 13, 2025 board rally, where faculty and community testimony—including from the late Barry Del Buono—underscored the urgency of these benefits.
“They listened to him,” Abohatab said.
Abohatab also credits another part-time faculty member, Jory Segal, who repeatedly pointed out to the district that they could be saving money by simply adopting the 100% reimbursable plan.
Finally, the administration said, “let’s do this,” according to Abohatab.
This result marks a major step forward for part-time faculty—and a clear example of what sustained organizing can accomplish.
