Peralta’s classified employee union protested a recent budget proposal during the public comment portion of the Feb. 11 Board of Trustees meeting. Armed with purple signs and heartfelt comments, a small crowd of classified employees filled the Peralta Community College District boardroom to oppose the elimination of 33 classified positions.

Faculty at the Peralta Community College District wanted to see the $11.2 million state Cost of Living Adjustment funds used towards employee cost-of-living raises, but district officials determined that granting cost-of-living raises of any amount would still require substantial cuts elsewhere in the budget.