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St. Michael's Admin Remains Neutral; Adjunct Faculy Vote Union

Adjunct faculty members at St. Michael’s College in Vermont voted to form a union affiliated with Service Employees International Union, they announced Monday. They’re the third group of adjuncts to vote to form unions under SEIU’s Adjunct Action campaign in recent weeks, after those at Burlington and Champlain colleges. About 75 percent of St. Michael’s eligible faculty participate in the vote, and the tally was 46 in favor and 26 opposed.

Anne Tewksbury-Frye, an adjunct faculty member at St. Michael’s College and Champlain College, said in a statement that the St.

Why Adjuncts at Robert Morris University Need a Union

by Jim Talerico
 
  

What are some of things people look for in a job—and why do they stay in a job? Typically, we want a career in which we are paid fairly, receive benefits, feel respected and valued, are able to make a contribution to the business or organization and, finally, where we are—at least most of the time—content and satisfied.

Unfortunately, for most adjunct professors—who make up more than 75 percent of all college professors—these goals are unattainable.

I talk from experience.

Keep Me Proud RMU!

by Dr. Robert Trosky
 
 
I’m very proud of my affiliation with Robert Morris University. As a former doctoral student, I acquired knowledge that changed the direction of my life. I was taught and mentored by some of the most articulate and challenging professors who encouraged me to expand my knowledge and ways of looking at information systems and communication. I made friends with faculty members and fellow students that will last a lifetime. While a student there, I was given the opportunity to teach as an adjunct; an opportunity for which I am extremely grateful.

Organizers Hope Point Park Is Just The First to Unionize

June 26, 2014

by Mark Noobar, 90.5 WESA

Pittsburgh, Pa. -- Point Park University Adjunct Facility have voted to unionize and the administration seems to be ready to let that happen. 
Credit Robert Couse-Baker / Flickr

Following the 172-79 vote, the University responded with a written statement, which read in part,“This is long over due,” said PPU adjunct English and French teacher Rebecca Taksel.  “We adjuncts… have been marginalized for so long.”

“We are pleased that so many adjunct faculty members took the time to make their voices heard on this important issue.

Point Park U. Adjuncts Vote to Form Union

 
article taken from Inside Higher Ed    Click her to read story.
 
June 26, 2014
 

Part-time professors at Point Park University in Pittsburgh have voted 172-79 to form a union affiliated with the United Steelworkers, the Associated Press reported. Point Park's Adjunct Faculty Association got the go-ahead from the National Labor Relations Board in April to hold a mail-in election. Adjuncts at nearby Duquesne University in Pittsburgh are still waiting to have their UAW union recognized, since that institution has challenged its adjuncts’ organizing bid on religious grounds.

In Pittsburgh's New Economy, Organized Labor Reorganizes

June 10, 2014

by Josh Raulerson, NPR - 90.5 WESA

Pittsburgh, Pa. -- Like any English professor, Clint Benjamin spends a lot of his time grading papers.

“There’s a mountain – a teetering Matterhorn of papers at the end of the weekend, or during the week,” Benjamin said. “You’ve just gotta get through them.”
Organizers Robin Sowards and Clint Benjamin at USW headquarters in downtown Pittsburgh, two blocks away from the campus of Point Park University. PPU adjunct faculty are voting this month on whether to join the Steelworkers.
Credit Josh Raulerson / 90.5 WESA

By his own estimate,

Point Park Adjunct Faculty Votes to Join AFA-USW Union

 

University’s Part-Timers Seek to Improve Education, Working Conditions

June 25, 2014

CONTACT: Randa Ruge: (412) 562-6967, rruge@usw.org

PITTSBURGH (June 25) – Part-time faculty members at downtown Pittsburgh’s Point Park University have voted to join the Adjunct Faculty Association of the United Steelworkers (AFA-USW).

The group filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in April to hold a mail ballot election. A total of 314 part-time Point Park instructors were eligible to vote, and the ballots were counted this morning at the NLRB’s downtown offices.

“The

Part-Time Faculty at Point Park Will Hold Election to Join USW

Part-Time Faculty at Point Park Will Hold Election to Join USW

Adjunct Instructors Seek to Improve Education, Working Environment
 
PITTSBURGH (April 29) – The Adjunct Faculty Association of the United Steelworkers (AFA-USW) today filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to hold a union election for part-time faculty members at Pittsburgh’s Point Park University.
 
With the petition, the 314 part-time Point Park instructors have joined a growing movement in higher education to improve the quality of education and the working conditions for adjunct faculty.

Point Park University adjuncts are next!

 

Adjuncts across the country are uniting to win!

Job security (George Washington University): Part-time faculty now can only be denied reappointment to courses they have taught before under limited,specified circumstances. These circumstances include elimination or downsizing of departments, elimination of courses due to changes in curricular requirements, or demonstrated inferior job performance.

 

Support for teaching (American University): Adjuncts will have access to materials and supplies needed to teach the assigned course(s), access to computer workstations, space to meet with

Will of Council granted to Pittsburgh-area Adjuncts

 

 Photo by Jonathan Ramady
Adjunct supporters gather in front of Pittsburgh City Council chambers from l-r: Randa Ruge, Dee Bruce, Rebecca Taksel, Samey Lee, Sharon Brady, Fr. Neil McCaulley, Robin Sowards, Matthew Ussia, Emily Rodgers, Clint Benjamin, and student supporters from CCAC and the Art Institute of Pittsburgh.

 

Pittsburgh, Pa., On March 4, 2014, Pittsburgh City Council members supported approximately 7,000 non-tenure-track adjunct faculty currently working in Pittsburgh-area non-profit universities and colleges with a Will of Council. Please see below the Will of Council:

WILL

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