We encourage institutions, unions, law firms, and individuals to donate to help support the National Center’s research and programming.

October 2023 Newsletter

In this month's newsletter, we announce the first set of confirmed panels and sponsorship opportunities for our 51st annual conference that will take place on March 17-19, 2024 in New York City at the Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute at Hunter College and the CUNY Graduate Center.

We also introduce the newest member of our Board of Advisors: Andre' Poplar, Vice Chancellor for Human Resources and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Oakland Community College. In addition, we remind researchers and practitioners that the National Center's website includes links to digitized National Center archival research materials since 1973.

The newsletter reports on the latest representation outcomes for graduate and undergraduate student workers at Harvard University, University of Alaska, University of Maine, University of Oregon, and Reed College, which continues the trend analyzed in the National Center's recent study of unionization growth in higher education for the period of January 1, 2022-June 30, 2023. Our study was recently cited in a Wall Street Journal article on the growing campus trend.

We also report on recently filed representation petitions concerning faculty at Northern Illinois University and Columbus College of Art and Design, petitions to represent graduate assistants at Cornell University and at the University of Pennsylvania, and petitions to represent post-doctoral scholars at Weill Cornell Medical College and Washington State University.

Lastly, the newsletter includes a report on our regional conference on September 14-15, 2023 at the University of Illinois-Chicago, links to video recordings from or 50^th anniversary conference earlier this year, links to articles in the current volume of our Journal of Collective Bargaining in the Academy, announcements about two upcoming books, and job postings.

The National Center's 51st annual national conference will take place on March 17-19, 2024 in New York City. The conference will be held at the Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute at Hunter College and at the CUNY Graduate Center.

The theme of the conference will be New Crossroads in Collective Bargaining and Labor Relations in Higher Education and the Professions.

Registration information and other details will be announced in the next few weeks.

Below is a list of confirmed panels and panelists. Additional panels will be announced in future newsletters and on our website.

Panel: Supreme Court Affirmative Action Decisions: Impact on DEI in Higher Education Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining with Kapil Longani, SUNY Senior Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs and General Counsel, Channing Cooper, AFT Legal Department Deputy Director, Julie Miceli, Husch Blackwell (invited), and Angela Thompson, Moderator.

Facilitated Session: Bargaining Over Job Security for Contingent Faculty with facilitators Benjamin Superfine, Assistant Vice Provost for Faculty Relations, University of Illinois-Chicago and Julie Schmid, AFT Senior Director of Higher Education.

Panel: Navigating Generative AI in Higher Education: Implications for Collective Bargaining, Pedagogy, and Research with Rob Weill, AFT Director of Policy, Research and Field Services, Kyle Arnone, AFT Collective Bargaining Center, and Anthony G. Picciano, Professor, Hunter College and CUNY Graduate Center, School of Education. (panel in formation)

Panel: Graduate Student Representation Election Outcomes, 2020-2023: Navigating a New Era of Graduate Student Unionization with Jacob Apkarian, Associate Professor, Sociology, York College, CUNY, Gary Rhoades, Professor and Director, Center for the Study of Higher Education, University of Arizona, Commentator, Nicholas DiGiovanni, Partner, Morgan, Brown & Joy, LLP, Commentator, and Kathy Collins, Director, Huron Consulting, Moderator.

Book Discussion: Contingent Faculty and the Remaking of Higher Education: A Labor History with Gwendolyn Alker, Associate Arts Professor, Department. of Drama, New York University, Joe T. Berry, Ph.D., City College of San Francisco and University of Illinois (retired), COCAL, HELU, Anne McLeer, Director of Higher Education and Strategic Planning, SEIU Local 500, Joseph van der Naald, PhD Candidate in Sociology, Graduate Center, CUNY, and Eric Fure-Slocum, Associate Professor of History (Emeritus), co-editor of Contingent Faculty and the Remaking of Higher Education, Moderator.

Book Discussion: The Right to Learn: Resisting the Right-Wing Attack on Academic Freedom with Jennifer Ruth, Professor of Film, College of the Arts, Portland State University co-editor, The Right to Learn, Ellen Schrecker, Professor of History, retired, Yeshiva University, co-editor, The Right to Learn, Helena Worthen, labor educator, retired, University of Illinois, School of Labor and Employment Relations, contributor, The Right to Learn, and Charles Toombs, Professor of Africana Studies, San Diego State University; President, California Faculty Association, Moderator.

Book Discussion: The Costs of Completion: Student Success in Community College with Robin G. Isserles, Author, The Costs of Completion, Professor of Sociology, Borough of Manhattan Community College, CUNY, and Grievance Counselor for Full-time Faculty, PSC BMCC Chapter, Christine Mangino, President, Queensborough Community College, CUNY, James McKeever, Sociology, Los Angeles Pierce College, CA, AFT 1521 Faculty Guild President, Brian Kapitulik, Sociology, Greenfield Community College, MA, Department Chair, Social Sciences; Former Acting Dean of Faculty, Colena Sesanker, Associate Professor, Philosophy, Gateway Community College, CT, Member of Board of Regents of CSCU, and Jennifer Shanoski, Chemistry, Merritt College, Oakland California, Moderator.

Panel: Academic Staff Association Responses to Vaccine Mandates in Higher Education Institutions in Canada and the United States with Alison Braley-Rattai, Associate Professor, Department of Labour Studies, Brock University and Larry Savage, Professor, Department of Labour Studies, Brock University. (panel in formation)

Panel: Collaborating Across the Table: The Value of Labor-Management Cooperation in Reversing Contingency to Improve Outcomes for Women Faculty and Students with Carla Katz, JD - NTT Faculty, Bargaining Team Member (Labor), Rutgers University, Kim O’Halloran, PhD - VP of Academic Planning & Administration, Bargaining Team Member (Management), Rutgers University, Heather Pierce, PhD - Adjunct Faculty, Bargaining Team Member (Labor), Rutgers University, and Alexandra (Sascha) Matish, Associate Vice Provost for Academic and Faculty Affairs and Senior Director, Academic Human Resources, University of Michigan, Moderator.

Panel: Bargaining Issues For Classified, Clerical, and Other Campus Staff with Jeffrey Grider, President, Portland Community College Federation of Classified Employees AFT Local 3922, Christine O'Connell, President, Union of Rutgers Administrators AFT Local 1766, Tony Johnston, President, Cook County College Teachers Union AFT Local 1600, and Andre’ Poplar, Vice Chancellor – Human Resources and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice, Oakland Community College – District, Moderator.

Panel: Enrollment and Degree Attainment in the United States by: Patterns in States with and without Collective Bargaining with Nathaniel J. Bray, Professor, Program Coordinator, Higher Education Administration, Associate Director, Education Policy Center, The University of Alabama, Senior Fellow, College Promise, Noel Keeney, Research Associate, Education Policy Center, The University of Alabama, F. King Alexander, Professor, Florida Gulf Coast University, Senior Faculty Fellow, Education Policy Center, The University of Alabama, Faculty Affiliate, Cornell University, and Higher Education Research Institute Senior Fellow, College Promise, Stephen G. Katsinas, Professor, Higher Education Administration & Political Science, Director, Education Policy Center, The University of Alabama, Senior Fellow, College Promise, Moderator.

Panel: Trustees’ Perspectives on Collective Bargaining with Susan Solomon, City College of San Francisco Trustee, United Educators of San Francisco (retired), Mark Gaffney, Wayne State University Board of Governors, Teamsters (retired), and Paul Brown, University of Michigan Board of Regents, Michigan Federation of Teachers (former member). (panel in formation)

2024 Conference Sponsorships

To help support the National Center and its 51st annual national conference, we encourage higher education institutions, unions, law firms, organizations, and companies to become a sponsor of our 2024 annual conference. 

Through a conference sponsorship you will demonstrate support for the National Center’s mission, programing, and research agenda.

Major Supporting Partner: $15,000

Benefits:

• Complimentary registration for 3 attendees and a 50% reduction for a fourth;
• Your organization’s logo and link to your site on the National Center website;
• Opportunity to make introductory remarks at the plenary or mid-day greetings;
• Your organization’s name referenced in our monthly newsletter;
• Inclusion of a one-page display ad in the conference program;
• Listing as a major supporting sponsor of the annual conference, webinars and conference receptions.

Supporting Partner: $10,000

Benefits:

• Complimentary registration for 2 attendees and a 50% reduction for a third;
• Your organization’s logo and link to your site on the National Center website;
• Your organization name referenced in our monthly newsletter;
• Inclusion of a one-page display ad in the conference program;
• Listing as a supporting sponsor of the annual conference, webinars and conference receptions.

Participating Sponsor: $5,000

Benefits:

• Complimentary registration for one conference attendee;
• Your organization’s logo and link to your site on the National Center website;
• Your organization name referenced in our monthly newsletter;
• Inclusion of a half-page display ad in the conference program;
• Listing as a participating sponsor of the annual conference, webinars and conference breaks.

Basic Sponsor: $2,500

Benefits:

• Complimentary registration for one conference attendee;
• Listing as a sponsor on the National Center website;
• Your organization’s name referenced in our monthly newsletter;
• Inclusion of a one-quarter display ad in the conference program;
• Listing as a basic sponsor of the annual conference, webinars and conference breaks.

Introductory Sponsor: $1,500

Benefits:

• Complimentary registration for one conference attendee;
• Listing as a sponsor on the National Center website;
• Your organization’s name referenced in our monthly newsletter;
• Inclusion of a one-quarter display ad in the conference program;
• Listing as an introductory sponsor of the annual conference, webinars and conference breaks.

Friend of the National Center: $500

Benefits:

• Complimentary registration for one conference attendee;
• Listing of your name as a friend of the National Center on our website, newsletter and in the conference program.

2024 Conference Program Advertisements

Another important way to celebrate the National Center’s 51st anniversary and demonstrate support for our mission and research is for your institution, union, law firm, organization or company to place an advertisement in our 2024 conference program.

Full-page advertisement:      $ 1,500

Half-page advertisement:      $   750

Quarter-page advertisement: $  275

Please email us with any questions about sponsorships and ad purchases at: nat_ctr@hunter.cuny.edu

The National Center Welcomes Andre' Poplar to Our Board of Advisors

The National Center is pleased to announce that Andre’ Poplar, Vice Chancellor for Human Resources and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Oakland Community College, has joined our Board of Advisors. 

Mr. Poplar has served as the Chief Bargaining Representative in collective bargaining negotiations at Oakland Community College, and in his previous roles as the Executive Director of Labor Relations and Benefits at the Detroit Public Schools Community District, and Labor and Employment Attorney for the Third Judicial Circuit Court – (Wayne County Michigan). In his various roles, Andre’ has implemented and negotiated improved processes that increased the efficiency of both the HR and labor relations functions. He is recognized for his work in aligning people and culture initiatives to an organization’s strategic priorities and values. Andre’ holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Eastern Michigan University and earned his Juris Doctorate from Indiana University – Maurer School of Law. He also holds a certificate in Labor Relations from Cornell University.

National Center Archival Research Material Available on Our Website

The National Center has digitized our archival research materials about unionization and collective bargaining from the past half-century. Links to those materials are posted on our website to make them readily available to practitioners and researchers.

The website has links to 25 National Center directories of faculty collective bargaining relationships, published between 1976 and 2020. Those directories, along with our bimonthly newsletters from 1973 to 2000, provide important data and analysis relevant to the trajectory and restructuring of campus labor relations since 1973.

We have also posted links to National Center bibliographies from 1973 until 1997. The bibliographies include references to books, articles, reports, and decisions on faculty and non-faculty collective bargaining issues, the unionization of professionals, sex discrimination, and other specific topics.

Harvard University: Student Workers Vote for UAW Representation

President and Fellows of Harvard College, NLRB Case No. 01-RC-317281

An unofficial tally from the representation election conducted by the National Labor Relations Board, which concluded on October 25, 2023, demonstrates that full-time and regular part-time undergraduate and graduate student worker at Harvard University voted 153-1 in favor of representation by the Harvard Undergraduate Workers Union-UAW Local 5118

The following is the new student worker bargaining unit at Harvard University:

Included: All full-time and regular part-time undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in degree programs at Harvard University and who are employed by Harvard University as non-academic service employees in (1) the Harvard Library System; (2) Dining Services cafes, working in the following locations: Barker, Café Gato Rojo, GSAS Commons, HDS Commons, HKS, HLS Harkness Dining Room, Pub Grill, Harkbox & Catering, HLS Pub, LISE, Lamont, Northwest and SEC; (3) Cambridge Queen’s Head Pub; and (4) in the Office of BGLTQ+ Life; the Harvard Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations; and the Harvard College Women’s Center who are employed by the Employer.

Excluded: Any student employees working at the Arnold Arboretum Horticultural

Library, Biblioteca Berenson, and Dumbarton Oaks Research Library, all casual employees, all guards, supervisors and professional employees as defined in the Act.

University of Oregon: Undergraduate Workers Vote to Unionize

University of Oregon, OERB Case No. RC-006-23

On October 25, 2023, the Oregon Employment Relations Board (OERB) tallied the ballots in an election concerning a representation petition filed by the University of Oregon Student Workers Union (UOSW) seeking to represent a unit of 3922 student workers at the University of Oregon.

According to the OERB tally, the student workers voted 1055-30 in favor UOSW representation. Once certified, UOSW will be the fourth independent student worker union to be certified since January 1, 2022.

The following is the proposed bargaining unit set forth in the UOSW petition;

All student employees of the University of Oregon who worked an average of 4 or more hours per week over the previous three months, excluding supervisory employees, confidential employees, and employees in positions that are or should be included in other bargaining units under existing certification or recognition clauses.

Univ. of Maine: UAW Certified to Represent a Graduate Assistant Unit

University of Maine

Following a card check, which demonstrated that a majority of approximately 1000 graduate assistants at the University of Maine supported UAW representation, the UAW and the university jointly notified the Maine Labor Relations Board (MLRB) on September 28, 2023 that the university had voluntarily recognized the UAW as the designated bargaining agent for a unit of university graduate assistants.

Based on the joint filing, MLRB certified the UAW on September 29, 2023 to represent the following unit at the University of Maine:

Included: All graduate students in a degree-granting program at the University of Maine System that are employed (regardless of funding sources) to provide instruction, instructional services, and/or research services, and all graduate students holding the title of Graduate Assistant who are employed to provide administrative services, at all the University of Maine System’s facilities. These include Teaching Assistants, Graduate Assistants, Research Assistants employed by the University of Maine System, as well as graduate students whose functional relationship to the University of Maine System is substantially similar to these employees even if another term is used by the University to describe their position.

Excluded: Graduate Fellows who are not employed to provide instruction, instructional services, research services or administrative services to the University of Maine System; graduate students who do not hold the title of Graduate Assistant and who provide solely administrative services to the University of Maine System; and all employees whose primary relationship with the University of Maine System is not a student relationship.

Univ. of Alaska: Graduate Assistants Vote for UAW Representation

University of Alaska, ALRA Case No. 23-1784-RC

The unofficial tally from a representation election conducted by the Alaska Labor Relations Agency (ALRA) demonstrates that graduate assistants at the University of Alaska voted 315-11 out of a unit of 434 in favor of representation by the Alaska Graduate Workers Association/UAW (AGWA/UAW) in an election that concluded on October 26, 2023.

The following is the at-issue graduate assistant bargaining unit at the University of Alaska:

Included: All employees of the University of Alaska who are enrolled in graduate academic programs, including fellows and engagement assistants.

Excluded: Any individuals in the faculty bargaining unit (United Academics) or in the adjunct faculty unit (United Academic Adjuncts); all undergraduate student employees; supervisors; confidential employees, all other employees of the University.

Reed College: Housing Advisors Vote for OPEIU Representation

Reed College, NLRB Case No. 19-RC-326394

The unofficial tally from a representation election conducted on October 27 by the National Labor Relations Board demonstrates that housing advisors at Reed College voted 36-2 in favor of representation by OPEIU Local 11 in a unit of 44 employees.

The following is that at-issue housing advisor bargaining unit at Reed College:

Included: All Housing Advisers employed by the Employer at its Portland Oregon campus.

Excluded: All non-student staff employed at the Employer’s Residence Life Department, all other student employees employed by the Employer and guards and supervisors as defined by the Act.

Illinois State University: AFT-AAUP Files to Represent a FT-TT Unit

Illinois State University, IELRB Case No. 2024-RC-0001-CJB

On October 4, 2023, AFT-AAUP filed a petition with the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board seeking to represent a unit of 650 full time and tenure track faculty at Illinois State University.

The following is the proposed faculty bargaining unit at Illinois State University:

Included: All full time (0.51 FTE and above) tenured and tenure track faculty employed at Illinois State University.

Excluded: all adjunct, part time and other non-tenure-track faculty; retirees, students; and all other managerial, supervisory, and confidential employees as defined by the Act.

Columbus College of Art and Design: AFT Files To Represent NTT Unit

Columbus College of Art and Design, NLRB Case No. 09-RC-327199

On October 4, 2023, the CCAD Faculty Alliance, Ohio Federation of Teachers a/w American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO filed a representation petition seeking to represent a unit of 114 adjunct faculty working at the Columbus College of Art and Design.

The following is the proposed unit in the representation petition:

Included: All Adjunct Faculty Employees.

Excluded: All other employees and administrators, including President, Provost, Chief Financial Officer, Vice President, Associate Vice President, Dean, Director, Department Chair, Department Head; Administrative Support Staff, Custodial Staff, Program Manager, Senior Admissions Counselor, Admissions Counselor, Coordinator for Community Education, Senior Academic Advisor, Facilities Manager, Website Coordinator, Lab Tech, Assistant Registrar, Student Services Associate, Corporate Engagement and Annual Giving Coordinator, Alumni Engagement Coordinator, Financial Aid Assistant, Financial Aid Counselor, Fabrications Manager, Donor Relations Manager, Faculty Director of Galleries, Faculty Director of Academic Operations, Clinical Therapist, Safety and Security Operations Coordinator, Payroll/Benefits Manager, Editor, SMAC instructor; and office clerical employees, and all professional employees, confidential employees and guards and supervisors as defined in the Act.

Univ. of Pennsylvania: UAW Files to Represent a Graduate Assistant Unit

Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, NLRB Case No. 04-RC-327396

On October 6, 2023, Graduate Employees Together-University of Pennsylvania,

International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (GETUP-UAW), filed a representation petition seeking to represent a unit of approximately 4500 graduate assistants at the University of Pennsylvania.

The following is the proposed graduate assistant bargaining unit at the University of Pennsylvania:

Included: All graduate students who provide research or instructional services, including but not limited to Teaching Assistants, Teaching Fellows, Research Assistants, Research Fellows, Pre-Doctoral Trainees, Student Workers, and Educational Fellowship Recipients, regardless of funding sources.

Excluded: All other employees, guards and supervisors as defined in the Act.

Cornell University: Representation Election Scheduled for GA Unit

Cornell University, NLRB Case No. 03-RC-326874

On October 24, 2023, the National Relations Board issued a notice scheduling an election concerning a representation petition filed by Cornell Graduate Students Union (CGSU)-United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (CGSU-UE) seeking to represent a unit of approximately 3500 graduate assistants at Cornell University.

The following is the proposed petition set forth in the CGSU-UE representation petition:

Included: Graduate students enrolled in Cornell University degree programs who are employed to provide teaching and research services, including teaching assistants, research assistants, graduate assistants, graduate research assistants, graduate teaching/research specialists, and fellows.

Excluded: Undergraduate students; graduate students not seeking Cornell degrees, including visiting students; office clericals; managers; guards and supervisors as defined in the Act.

Cornell University, NLRB Case No. 03-RM-326996

On October 2, 2023, Cornell University filed its own petition with the NLRB seeking an election following a CGSU-UE demand for voluntary representation. The university's petition describes the unit as including 3000 graduate assistants with the following composition:

Included: Graduate students enrolled in a Cornell University PhD and Masters degree programs at the Ithaca, Cornell Tech (Roosevelt Island) or Geneva campuses who hold the title of teaching assistants, research assistants, graduate assistants or graduate research assistants.

Excluded: All other graduate students (including but not limited to students enrolled in a professional school); undergraduate students; graduate teaching specialists; graduate research specialists; fellows; all students at all other campuses (including but not limited to Doha, Washington, D.C., and Rome); graduate students not seeking Cornell degrees, including visiting students; office clericals; professional employees; managers; guards and supervisors as defined in the Act; and all other employees.

Weill Cornell Medical College: UAW Files to Represent Post-Docs

Weill Cornell Medical Center, NLRB Case No. 02-RC-327093

On October 3, 2023, Weill Cornell Medicine Postdocs United-UAW filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Act seeking to represent a unit of 487 post-doctoral scholars at the Weill Cornell Medical Center.

The following is the proposed bargaining unit in the representation petition:

Included: All postdoctoral trainees employed by Weill Cornell Medical College at any of the Employer's facilities, including but not limited to Postdoctoral Associates, Fellows, and Visiting Fellows, regardless of funding source.

Excluded: All other employees, guards and supervisors as defined in the Act.

Washington State Univ.: UAW Pending Petition to Represent Post-Docs

Washington State University, WPERC Case No. 137583

Postdocs United-UAW filed a petition with the Washington Public Employment Relations Commission (WPERC) on September 18, 2023 seeking to represent a unit of 160 post-doctoral scholars at Washington State University.

The following is the proposed bargaining unit set forth in the Postdocs United-UAW petition:

Included: All Postdoctoral employees as covered by RCW 41.56.513 employed by Washington State University, including, but not limited to, Postdoctoral Research Associates and Postdoctoral Teaching Associates.

Excluded: Confidential employees, supervisors, employees covered under Chapter 41.76 RCW, and employees included in any other bargaining unit.

Regional Higher Education Collective Bargaining Workshop

at the University of Illinois-Chicago: A Major Success

On September 14 and 15, 2013, the National Center held a regional higher education collective bargaining workshop at the University of Illinois-Chicago. The regional conference was co-sponsored by the University of Illinois System, and the University of Illinois School of Labor & Employment Relations’ Labor Education Program.

The sold-out workshop included over 100 attendees and speakers from Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, New York, New Jersey, Oregon, and California.

This was the third regional workshop organized by the National Center since 2013, with the last two being held in California. It is part our effort to revive the tradition of holding regional programming similar to the events the National Center sponsored in earlier decades.

Best Practices in Collective Bargaining Panel with (l-r) Diana Valera, President CFAC/IFT, Columbia College, Mark Bennettt, Laner Muchin, Marcia Mackey, Michigan Education Association (moderator), Melissa Sortman, Assistant Provost and Director, Faculty and Academic Staff Affairs, Michigan State University, and Elizabeth Towell, SEIU Local 73

Best Practices in Collective Bargaining Panel with (l-r) Stephen Yokich, Dowd, Bloch, Bennett, Cervone, Auerbach & Yokich, LLP, Robb Craddock, Labor and Employee Relations Executive Director, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Mike Newman, Deputy Director, AFSCME Council 31, Richard W. Fanning, Jr., Clark Hill, PLC, and Terry Curry, former Associate Provost and Associate Vice President, Michigan State University (moderator)

Collective Bargaining, Discrimination, Affirmative Action, & Title IX Panel with (l-r) Ricky Baldwin, Assistant Director, State Division, SEIU Local 73, Risa Lieberwitz, Professor of Labor and Employment Law, Cornell ILR and AAUP General Counsel, Augustus Wood, Assistant Professor, School of Labor & Employment Relations, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Julie Miceli, Husch Blackwell, and Karen Stubaus, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Rutgers University and National Center Affiliated Researcher (moderator)

Legal Obligations under Public Sector Statutes and NLRA Panel with (l-r) Richard W. Fanning, Jr., Clark Hill, PLC, Ellen Strizak, General Counsel, Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board, Angie Cowan Hamada, National Labor Relations Board Region 13 Director, and Alice Johnson, General Counsel Cook College Teachers Union (moderator)

Community Colleges: Distinct Bargaining Issues and Challenges Panel with (l-r) Robert Boonin, Dykema, PLLC, Tony Johnston, Cook County Teachers Union Local 1600 President,

Andre' L. Poplar, Vice Chancellor for Human Resources and Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Oakland Community College,

Shannon Altson, Director of Business, Legal & Human Resources, Michigan Education Association, and Joshua Welker, Dean of Business and Institutional Effectiveness, John Wood Community College (moderator)

10 Best Practice Tips from Experienced Labor Arbitrators with (l-r)

Meeta Bass, Arbitrator

Cary Morgen, Arbitrator, and Betty Widgeon, Arbitrator, (moderator and panelist)

Video Recordings from the 50th Anniversary Conference

The National Center's 50th anniversary conference on March 26-28, 2023 was a major success.

Click here for the full conference program. And click here for the webpage dedicated to the 50th Anniversary conference, which was developed with the assistance of Iris Finkel, Hunter College Web and Digital Initiatives Librarian.

Below are links to video recordings of certain presentations at the National Center's 50th Anniversary Conference.

We thank Roosevelt House Production Coordinator Daniel T. Culkin and Peter Jackson, Hunter College's Chief Digital Media CLT & Production Coordinator and the students of the Hunter College Film & Media Department for recording and producing the videos.

Welcoming Remarks by National Center Executive Director William A. Herbert, Anne Ollen, Managing Director, TIAA Institute, Gary Rhoades, University of Arizona and Co-Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Collective Bargaining in the Academy, and Karen Stubaus, Rutgers University and Associate Editor, Journal of Collective Bargaining in the Academy.

Keynote Presentation by Michael Sandel, Political Philosopher and Harvard University Professor with Introductory remarks by Hunter College President, Jennifer J. Raab.

Panel: Title IX: Its Past, Its Present, and Its Future with Frazier Benya, Senior Program Officer, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, Lance Houston, Title IX Coordinator and Director of Equity and Compliance, Adelphi University, Risa Lieberwitz, Professor of Labor and Employment Law in the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations and General Counsel of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), Tamiko Strickman, Special Advisor to the President and Executive Director of the Office of Equity, Civil Rights, and Title IX, University of Michigan, and Moderators: Karen R. Stubaus, Ph.D., Vice President for Academic Affairs, Rutgers University and Alexandra Matish, J.D., Associate Vice Provost for Academic and Faculty Affairs and Senior Director, Academic Human Resources, University of Michigan. This panel was co-organized by the National Academies' Action Collaborative on Preventing Sexual Harassment in Higher Education.

Panel: Treasuring the Past and the Spirit of Change: Perspectives from Experienced Arbitrators with Rosemary A. Townley, Arbitrator and Mediator, Howard C. Edelman, Arbitrator and Mediator, Jacquelin F. Drucker, Arbitrator and Mediator, and Homer LaRue, Arbitrator, Mediator, and Professor, Howard University Law School, Moderator. This panel was co-sponsored by the National Academy of Arbitrators.

Panel: Higher Education Unionization: Perspectives from Labor Relations Agencies with John Wirenius, Chairperson, New York State Public Employment Relations Board, Marjorie Wittner, Chairperson, Massachusetts Commonwealth Employment Relations Board, Mary Beth Hennessy-Shotter, Director of Conciliation and Arbitration, NJ Public Employment Relations Commission, and Michael P. Sellars, Executive Director, Washington State Public Employment Relations Commission, Moderator. This panel was co-sponsored by the Association of Labor Relations Agencies.

Panel: Annual Legal Update with Amy L. Rosenberger, Willig, Williams & Davidson, Monica C. Barrett, Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC, Henry Morris, Jr., Partner, ArentFox Schiff LLP, Aaron Nisenson, Senior Legal Counsel, AAUP, and Brian Selchick

Cullen and Dykman LLP, Moderator.

Panel: Yesterday and Today: Experienced Faculty Leaders in Higher Education with Jamie Dangler, former Vice President for Academics, United University Professions, Art Hochner, Associate Professor Emeritus, Management, Temple University & former President, Temple Assn. of University Professionals, AFT 4531, Charles Toombs, President, California Faculty Association, Kenneth Mash, President, APSCUF, and Penny Lewis, Secretary, Professional Staff Congress/CUNY, AFT Local #2334, Moderator.

Panel: Exploring the Retirement Income Equity Gap with Brent Davis, Economist, TIAA Institute, John Dorsa, Chief Pension Officer, Office of the New York City Comptroller, Valerie Martin Conley, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Idaho State University, and Anne Ollen, Managing Director, TIAA Institute, Panelist and Moderator.

Panel: College Athletes, NCAA and the NLRA: An Update with Gabriel Feldman, Sher Garner Professor of Sports Law, Tulane Law School, Joshua Nadreau, Fisher Phillips LLP, Mark Gaston Pearce, Executive Director, Workers’ Rights Institute, Georgetown University Law School, and former National Labor Relations Board Chairman, and Jeffrey Hirsch, Geneva Yeargan Rand Distinguished Professor of Law, University of North Carolina School of Law, Panelist and Moderator.

Panel: Labor Issues Facing Independent Musicians with Marc Ribot, Guitarist and Composer, Phillip Golub, Pianist and Composer, Amir Elsaffar, Trumpeter and Composer, Sulynn Hago, Guitarist and Composer, and Larry Blumenfeld, Moderator. This panel was co-sponsored by the Music Workers Alliance.

The National Center's Journal of Collective Bargaining in the Academy has published Volume 14. The volume title is "Learning from the Past to Enhance our Future."

The Journal's Editors-in-Chief are Gary Rhoades, University of Arizona, Karen Stubaus, Rutgers University, and Jeffrey Cross, Eastern Illinois University (Emeritus).

Op-Ed:

A New Foundation, Revisited by Richard J. Boris

Articles:

Protecting Academic Freedom Through Collective Bargaining: An AAUP Perspective by Michael Mauer

In the Beginning, Long Time Ago: A Brief History of the National Center’s Origin and Evolution by William A. Herbert

Power Despite Precarity: A Conversation with the Authors, Joe Berry and Helena Worthen by Gary Rhoades

Centering Anti-Racism and Social Justice, Toward A More Perfect Union: A Conversation with the Authors, Cecil E. Canton and Charles Toombs

by Gary Rhoades

Practitioner Perspective:

Factors that Led to Crossing the Picket-Line: An Autoethnography of a Faculty Striker by Giovanna Follo

Proceedings Materials:

50th Anniversary: Proceedings of the National Center for the Study of Collective Bargaining in Higher Education and the Professions by Daniel J. Julius

The Academic Mission and Collective Bargaining by Sidney Hook

Management Rights Issues in Collective Bargaining in Higher Education by

Margaret K. Chandler and Connie Chiang

The Yeshiva Case: One Year Later by Joel M. Douglas

State Support of Higher Education: A 20-Year Contextual Analysis Using Two-Year Percentage Gains In State Tax Appropriations by Edward R. Hines

Sexual Harassment on Campus and a Union's Dilemma by Rachel Hendrickson

Collective Bargaining and Technology by Christine Maitland

Faculty and Management Rights In Higher Education Collective Bargaining: A Faculty Perspective by Ernst Benjamin

The Current Status of Graduate Student Unions: An Employer's Perspective

by Daniel J. Julius

New Models of Contingent Faculty Inclusion by Frank Cosco

The Professionalization of Non-Tenure Track Faculty in the United States: Three Case Studies From Public Research Institutions: Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign, and University of Oregon by Karen Stubaus

This Much I Know is True: The Five Intangible Influences on Collective Bargaining by Nicholas DiGiovanni Jr.

The History Of Collective Bargaining in Higher Education: The Case of HBCUs

by Derryn Moten

Collective Bargaining and Labor Representation for Higher Education in a “Right to Work” Environment by Thomas Auxter

The Journal is an open access, peer-reviewed, online periodical, the purpose of which is to advance research and scholarly thought related to academic collective bargaining and to make relevant and pragmatic peer-reviewed research readily accessible to practitioners and to scholars in the field.

We encourage scholars and practitioners in the fields of collective bargaining, labor relations, and labor history to submit articles for potential publication in future volumes.

The Journal is supported, in part, by a generous contribution from TIAA and is hosted by the institutional repository of Eastern Illinois University.

New Book: Contingent Faculty and the Remaking of Higher Education:

A Labor History, edited by Eric Fure-Slocum and Claire Goldstene

New Book: The Right to Learn: Resisting the Right-Wing Attack on Academic Freedom, Edited by Valerie C. Johnson, Jennifer Ruth, and Ellen Schrecker

Job Posting:

Open Education Research and Policy Specialist with the Massachusetts Teachers Association

The Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA) Center for Education Policy and Practice is hiring an Education Research and Policy (ERP) Specialist who will work with educators, students, community groups and other experts to identify obstacles to success for students and educators that are rooted in structural racism, economic inequality, and other forms of oppression and develops solutions that dismantle those barriers. The ERP specialist also works with our government relations, field, grassroots, and communications teams on campaigns to achieve those policy goals.

The full job description and information on applying can be found here: Recruitment (adp.com)

In addition to working for a union, you will belong to a staff union with all the advantages and feeling of solidarity that unions provide. The salary scale for this position is $103,000 to $137,000, depending on experience. Wherever you start, each year you move up one step each year that you are in the position until you reach the top step.

Job Postings:

Open Staff Positions with the California Faculty Association

Working for CFA

A union of 29,000 tenure-track faculty, coaches, librarians, and counselors, CFA is seeking candidates with a strong knowledge and background in racial and social justice work. Candidates who have relevant experience (formally or informally) and can translate that into the range of job responsibilities listed below are strongly encouraged to apply.

CFA is proud to be a member-run union and believes in employing hard-working and creative staff whose talents complement those of our elected leadership. 

CFA is an Affirmative Action Employer. Women, People of Color/Native People, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

CFA complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact searchcommittee@calfac.org.

Click here to view job listings.

Job Postings

Campus Service Representatives – NorCal & SoCal

The CSR responsibilities are communicated by the CFA campus Field Representative and will work in coordination with the CFA Chapter Executive Board’s, which organizes and represents approximately 29,000 faculty, librarians, counselors, and coaches.

General Summary

The CSR is a non-exempt part-time position.

The position ensures that the California Faculty Association’s (CFA) new member recruitment and organizing goals are executed through the work of the CSR and chapter that they are assigned to support. Overall, the position will support and help add capacity to well-functioning ongoing priorities for new member recruitment and organizing support.

Rate of Pay: $25.00 hour

Hours Per Week: 19 hours per week.

Working Days/Hours: Monday-Thursday 10am – 2pm, Fridays 2pm-5pm

**Any alterations to the scheduled days/hours must receive prior approval by the Field Rep

Job Functions and Essential Duties

Recruitment of new members:

• Daily hall walking campus buildings to engage in recruitment discussions with non-members – nonmember target lists and tracking form provided during bi-weekly check ins
• Provides welcoming experience and exceptional service to non-members

Required meeting attendance:

• Attends monthly membership organizing committee meetings
• Attends monthly luncheons, workshops, and other activities – coordinates with OM to identify rsvp’s of non-members to engage with during the event
• Attends 2^nd Executive Board meeting of each month to provide report progress made in chapter goal of recruitment
• Events/activities in which membership organizing committee has scheduled for the upcoming month
• What has been successful for recruitment and what has not

Optional meeting attendance:

• 1^st Executive Board meeting of the month
• Events, workshops and activities where no nonmembers have rsvp’d

Reporting:

• Friday bi-weekly – turn in tracking form from prior weeks and workplan for upcoming week to field rep and chapter president
• Friday 3pm bi-weekly check in with field rep (and occasionally chapter president) – meeting will be to discuss and review progress on recruitment goals using tracking form, workplans and hall walking scheduling for the upcoming weeks, overcoming any obstacles to recruitment
• Weekly check-in with regional organizing director and team meetings

Office Organization and Administrative/ Clerical Duties (when needed):

• Keeps track of all conversations with nonmembers with dates, times, issues/concerns and follow up, if any, that is needed
• Communication with Executive Board members who have volunteered to assist in activities as to time, date, location i.e. tabling event, appreciation event, etc.
• Communicates to Field Representative if supplies are needed i.e. membership cards, pens/pencils, paper, binders, etc.
• Updates and maintains the CFA bulletin boards in each campus building with membership recruitment materials

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and under general supervision, and to handle multiple projects simultaneously. Effective organization and time management skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively, creatively and strategically in a team environment, including CFA officers, members, interns and staff.
• Ability to learn and communicate CFA organizational structure and policies
• Attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to communicate professionally with nonmembers, members, staff, students and leadership.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to work independently and under general supervision to meet required tasks/duties.
• Possess high integrity and demonstrated ability to handle highly confidential information
• Effective and appropriate communication with members, staff, administrators, and supervisors.
• Ability to lift 25 lbs. (subject to reasonable accommodation).

To apply send cover letter and resume to: searchcommittee@calfac.org.