What other colleges and universities have had their adjuncts organize?

Just in our region, all the state universities in the Pennsylvania and New Jersey systems, SUNY, CUNY, NYU, Rutgers, Community College of Philadelphia, Bucks and Montco Community Colleges and many others. Over 50,000 adjuncts nationwide are represented by the American Federation of Teachers (AFT).

What sort of contracts have they gotten?

In all cases, substantial salary increases, medical benefits, and a measure of job security. As one example, adjuncts at CCP have attained salaries 40 per cent higher than those at comparable non-unionized colleges in the area; partial or full medical benefits, depending on seniority; and job security based on seniority.

What's the status of the organizing effort here at Temple?

The Adjuncts Organizing Committee has enlarged our leadership group, the steering committee, which meets regularly with a liaison group from TAUP and AFT. TAUP is now actively participating in our effort to reach all the adjuncts and is providing financial support. We will be working in parallel with TAUP as we both enroll new members throughout this year. Together with AFT, we are developing a timeline with benchmark dates for our membership campaign.

How do I know if I am eligible?

At the time of the election the Labor Board will determine who is eligible to vote, using criteria such as the semesters in which you taught, whether you are an administrator, and so forth.

Is the administration or my department likely to retaliate against me if I get involved?

They are highly unlikely to do so. It is against the law, and so far universities have avoided heavy-handed unfair labor practices.

What protections do I have?

Pennsylvania labor law prohibits employers from taking punitive action against people for engaging in their right to organize for collective bargaining. In addition, the TAUP and the AFT-Pennsylvania, with their considerable legal resources, fully support our organizing effort.

If we join a union will we have to strike?

A stike is absolutely the last resort of any union. No one wants a strike. It hurts both sides and presents difficult public relations problems. TAUP recently went through some very tough negotiations and came out with an excellent contract that made both sides happy. We will use all reasonable means to avoid strikes.

Temple graduate students (TUGSA) recently organized and won an election. What sort of a contract did the graduate students get?

TUGSA gained substantial pay increases for graduate students, health benefits which they did not have before, and a grievance procedure in case of contract violations. The maximum number of contracted work hours per week remained at 20, though in some departments the teaching load was increased within that 20 hours. Some departments are now re-adjusting the teaching loads back to their original levels.