DEARBORN — Non-instructional employees at Henry Ford Community College (HFCC) have voted in favor of representation by the Henry Ford Community College Support Staff Association (HFCC-SSA). This vote effectively severs HFCC non-instructional employees from the Dearborn Federation of School Employees (DFSE) – a union that includes non-instructional employees at both HFCC and Dearborn Public Schools (DPS).

On Nov. 11, HFCC members voted 133-19 in favor of separating from the DFSE, which led to the formation of the HFCC-SSA, the new bargaining unit for HFCC non-instructional employees. This election was certified by the Michigan Employment Relations Commission (MERC) on Nov. 18.

According to the MERC decision, the election was granted because HFCC and DPS, though technically one entity, are operationally separate employers with each respective educational institution having its own sources of funding, budget and labor relations staff, as well as exercising an employer’s control over its own employees. While the College has maintained a neutral position with respect to the separation, Dr. Cynthia M.Eschenburg, director of Human Resources at HFCC, said that this separation “will allow HFCC employees to discuss issues that are specific and relevant to their positions here at the College.”

“So much work was put into this. It’s been a difficult road, but we succeeded. This is a monumental and historic achievement, which was best for the College and the membership of the HFCC-SSA,” said Barbara Corp, an HFCC computer technician and the newly-elected HFCC-SSA treasurer.