2008 Woodie Awards
Adjunct union negotiations continue with tension
Lisa Marie Basile
Issue date: 4/9/08 Section: News
Pawlowski explained the University has to prove they do not have the money to pay for adjunct improvement. "If the University pleads poverty, they will have to open up their books and demonstrate it. They don't want to do that."
A strike, though threatened, is not the goal or desire of the adjuncts. In the case of a strike, the University could suffer significant problems including the possibility of shutting down. "This is a last option," Pawlowski said. "It's in the best interest of both parties to compromise. Both parties should walk away happy."
According to a press release on the University Web site regarding the labor negotiations, William J. McGrath, interim vice president, confirmed the $25,000 was offered at a Feb. 27 bargaining meeting. The Administration also confirmed they would pay $750 minimum per credit rate and salary increase averaging two percent starting Sept. 1. They also guaranteed the same average percentage increase given to full-time faculty. The release stated, "The Union proposed minimum credit-hour rates retroactive to 2004 which for some adjuncts would result in increases of up to 100 percent. The Union also proposed a salary adjustment of 20 percent retroactive to 2006-2007, an academic year in which all other University employees received a 2.5 percent increase."
Regarding health insurance, the release stated the Union proposed the University contribute up to 65 percent of the cost of some adjuncts' family health insurance coverage. This compares to the University contribution of up to 55 percent for full-time faculty. The Union also proposed that adjuncts who teach as few as three credits a year get the same dental coverage as full-time faculty members.
A press release issued by McGrath on April 4 stated, "The University does not want a strike, and we believe that a strike would be harmful to all parties. In the event a strike is called, however, the University intends to continue to meet its obligations to students and to operate in as close to a normal fashion as possible."
According to NYSUT, the organization represents 585,000 teachers, school-related professionals, academic and professional faculty in higher education, professionals in education and health care and retirees. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and the AFL-CIO.
A strike, though threatened, is not the goal or desire of the adjuncts. In the case of a strike, the University could suffer significant problems including the possibility of shutting down. "This is a last option," Pawlowski said. "It's in the best interest of both parties to compromise. Both parties should walk away happy."
According to a press release on the University Web site regarding the labor negotiations, William J. McGrath, interim vice president, confirmed the $25,000 was offered at a Feb. 27 bargaining meeting. The Administration also confirmed they would pay $750 minimum per credit rate and salary increase averaging two percent starting Sept. 1. They also guaranteed the same average percentage increase given to full-time faculty. The release stated, "The Union proposed minimum credit-hour rates retroactive to 2004 which for some adjuncts would result in increases of up to 100 percent. The Union also proposed a salary adjustment of 20 percent retroactive to 2006-2007, an academic year in which all other University employees received a 2.5 percent increase."
Regarding health insurance, the release stated the Union proposed the University contribute up to 65 percent of the cost of some adjuncts' family health insurance coverage. This compares to the University contribution of up to 55 percent for full-time faculty. The Union also proposed that adjuncts who teach as few as three credits a year get the same dental coverage as full-time faculty members.
A press release issued by McGrath on April 4 stated, "The University does not want a strike, and we believe that a strike would be harmful to all parties. In the event a strike is called, however, the University intends to continue to meet its obligations to students and to operate in as close to a normal fashion as possible."
According to NYSUT, the organization represents 585,000 teachers, school-related professionals, academic and professional faculty in higher education, professionals in education and health care and retirees. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and the AFL-CIO.
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