General Discussion

drmeow

(6,004 posts)

29. Unionization for lecturers and adjuncts is

Reply to Lionel Mandrake (Original post)

Sat Mar 29, 2014, 08:00 PM

Mar 2014

a university by university process. Last month Lecturers of the University of New Hampshire Durham and Manchester campuses voted to unionize (http://www.aaup.org/big-win-new-hampshire-lecturers). Elsewhere, no as good news: http://www.adjunctnation.com/2013/10/28/boston-adjuncts-divided-on-whether-to-unionize/

Awareness is rising and tenure/tenure-track faculty are also adding their voices. Low wage adjuncts bring faculty salaries down and threaten faculty positions. Departing faculty aren't replaced or are replaced with fewer people and very slowly which puts a greater burden on existing faculty.

The ACA even has something to say about it:

http://www.adjunctnation.com/2014/02/19/new-rules-define-workload-of-part-time-college-instructors/

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

52 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Second-class Professors [View all] Lionel Mandrake Mar 2014 OP

But the guy in charge of the football factory pscot Mar 2014 #1

But he's under terrible pressure. Lionel Mandrake Mar 2014 #3

He has a 4 year guaranteed contract pscot Mar 2014 #5

Okay, you win. Lionel Mandrake Mar 2014 #9

4 year contract that will pay him more than the prof will make in a 30-year career Doctor_J Mar 2014 #22

When professors are living in poverty, what more do we need to prove the current system has failed? reformist2 Mar 2014 #2

They are exploited workers Generic Other Mar 2014 #4

I know one former freeway flier who landed a permanent job. Lionel Mandrake Mar 2014 #7

Superhuman efforts Generic Other Mar 2014 #13

I think Bill Gates envisions a world Mr.Bill Mar 2014 #15

Windows to pee and poo nadinbrzezinski Mar 2014 #47

Wow. Brigid Mar 2014 #48

In this case, it was a perfect fit. Lionel Mandrake Mar 2014 #49

They sure as hell need a union. CaliforniaPeggy Mar 2014 #6

Actually, adjuncts are starting to join unions. Lionel Mandrake Mar 2014 #8

How much do these second class professors make? NobodyHere Mar 2014 #10

In some places, $1200/semester for a course. a la izquierda Mar 2014 #12

ours make $1800 for a 3-hr class Doctor_J Mar 2014 #23

it varies widely-- I believe the average in the CSU* is about $25K/yr.... mike_c Mar 2014 #32

Where I work it's $1500/semester/credit Aldo Leopold Mar 2014 #37

Yes they need a union... a la izquierda Mar 2014 #11

SUNY Albany's TA/GA's are in fact unionized. DeadLetterOffice Mar 2014 #17

I was involved in that union fight drmeow Mar 2014 #26

I was a GA in SUNY for the first time back in the 90's. DeadLetterOffice Mar 2014 #36

Sounds about right drmeow Mar 2014 #45

Don't give up. a la izquierda Mar 2014 #39

CSU TA/GAs are organized.... mike_c Mar 2014 #33

We couldn't unionize in Oklahoma as grad students... a la izquierda Mar 2014 #40

I understand there are three different unions Lionel Mandrake Mar 2014 #43

not exactly.... mike_c Mar 2014 #50

Yes, I am in California and I do support increased higher ed funding. Lionel Mandrake Mar 2014 #52

No adjuncts here. pangaia Mar 2014 #14

Yes they need a union. Yes they should be better paid. SheilaT Mar 2014 #16

"why more people don't just look at the economic reality and move on." alp227 Mar 2014 #18

If people think their own self interests are served SheilaT Mar 2014 #21

Good question. Lionel Mandrake Mar 2014 #25

Unfortunately, the lack of academic positions for new PhDs has been SheilaT Mar 2014 #41

Why do people stay in bad marriages? drmeow Mar 2014 #46

I'm an adjunct in a union. Starry Messenger Mar 2014 #19

And you know what kinda bad apples you get with such a low wage? alp227 Mar 2014 #20

Let me guess, Lionel Mandrake Mar 2014 #27

Probably doesn't think to highly of... 3catwoman3 Mar 2014 #44

Adjuncts here do have a union... Mona Mar 2014 #24

Yes! In fact, hell yes! n/t RKP5637 Mar 2014 #28

Unionization for lecturers and adjuncts is drmeow Mar 2014 #29

many lecturers in the CSU make less money than fast food workers are asking for.... mike_c Mar 2014 #30

many years ago i was an adjunct in anthropology. mysuzuki2 Mar 2014 #31

I have a good friend who is an adjunct professor honeylady Mar 2014 #34

I tend to believe any unionization would be of benefit to this cause but I strongly advocate bkanderson76 Mar 2014 #35

yes Kali Mar 2014 #38

The adjuncts at our college are unionized. Gidney N Cloyd Mar 2014 #42

And yet the cost of going to college goes up and up! treestar Mar 2014 #51