Complaint Filed Over College Hiring Policy

VENTURA — A former Ventura College employee has filed a complaint with a state employment board claiming that the Ventura County Community College District’s hiring practices are unfair and violate state law.

The charge comes one month after the district questioned its own hiring policies in a suit against its service employees union. At issue is a section of the union contract that requires the district to promote from within its ranks before hiring outside applicants.

District officials believe the clause violates state equal opportunity and affirmative action law. But union officials say that while the clause gives preference to colleges employees, it does not discriminate against any groups protected by law.

In the complaint filed Monday with the state Public Employment Relations Board, Fred Mickle Jr. said he left a full-time job as a student activities officer at UCLA after being hired to temporarily fill a similar position at Ventura College.

In the charge, Mickle said officials assured him he would have a fair opportunity to compete for the permanent slot.

But, after completing the preliminary screening and being told he ranked second among the applicants, Mickle was told that final interviews would be granted only to current employees.

Although his temporary employment with the district ended last week, Mickle said Friday he plans to fight for his job.

“There is no semblance of fairness here,” he said. “No matter how you look at it.”