Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
American Federation of Teachers Support Adjunct Faculty
AFT Reaffirms Commitment to Fighting Exploitation of Adjuncts
During its convention over the weekend in Los Angeles, the American Federation of Teachers reaffirmed its commitment to fighting to end academe’s reliance on contingent instructors and to replace that model “with a system of academic staffing that is sustainable for students, faculty, and the economy.”
A resolution unanimously approved by AFT delegates states the organization is committed to “improving the lives of contingent faculty by ending the rank exploitation of the majority of the higher-education instructional work force.” That exploitation, it says, is undermining the educational and civic missions of colleges and universities, and is negatively affecting the quality of the college experience for students.
Among other points, the resolution says that the organization will work to organize local unions that can bargain for better terms of employment for contingent faculty members, and will take collective action with affiliates, members, students, and communities to educate people “about the impact of contingency on the lives of teachers and their students and on the quality of education.”
Adjunct Faculty continue to find support for their cause. We hope it continues.
Ever the adjunct,
A resolution unanimously approved by AFT delegates states the organization is committed to “improving the lives of contingent faculty by ending the rank exploitation of the majority of the higher-education instructional work force.” That exploitation, it says, is undermining the educational and civic missions of colleges and universities, and is negatively affecting the quality of the college experience for students.
Among other points, the resolution says that the organization will work to organize local unions that can bargain for better terms of employment for contingent faculty members, and will take collective action with affiliates, members, students, and communities to educate people “about the impact of contingency on the lives of teachers and their students and on the quality of education.”
Adjunct Faculty continue to find support for their cause. We hope it continues.
Ever the adjunct,
Linda
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
SHARING INFORMATION AT THE REQUEST OF ADJUNCT COLLEAGUES
At the request of some of my adjunct colleagues, I am passing along an interesting article from Inside Higher Education related to benefits for adjuncts.
Please check out this link for the story and also comments that have been posted related to it.
I hope all of you are ready for fall courses and that you are enjoying either the remainder of what you are teaching this summer, or are getting rest and relaxation in preparation for fall.
Time does fly!
Ever the adjunct,
Linda
Friday, July 4, 2014
The Spirit of 1776
Yes, today we celebrate the independence of the USA from British rule. We are now free due to the work of our Continental Congress in a hot, sweltering, Philadelphia summer. If any of you are history buffs, or have seen the DVD - John Adams, or the Movie 1776, you will know that the decision to vote on independence was not easy for our forefathers. However, given the increase in taxes on the colonies and the lack of attention to the plight of the colonists, by the British, the Second Continental Congress finally agreed to at least talk about Independence.
If we are to believe the Show, 1776, one delegate from Rhode Island was quoted as saying "..in all my years I never heard, seen, nor smelled an issue that was so dangerous it couldn't be talked about...I'm for debatin' anything".
All of that brings me to my point, today....I wonder how all of you at your colleges and universities are talking about the idea of unions, not only for adjunct faculty, but for the rest of your institutions as well. I hope you will join in the conversation to let us all know if there is open discussion among groups, among individuals, among administration, etc. Is this an issue on our campus that might be equivalent to "the sky is falling", or is it one where there is clear, open dialogue?
Please comment. Your comments come to me and I will post them under any name or pseudonym you like. The idea is that this should be a transparent discussion and not "so dangerous it couldn't be talked about".
Happy Fourth of July! ---- Independence Day!
If we are to believe the Show, 1776, one delegate from Rhode Island was quoted as saying "..in all my years I never heard, seen, nor smelled an issue that was so dangerous it couldn't be talked about...I'm for debatin' anything".
All of that brings me to my point, today....I wonder how all of you at your colleges and universities are talking about the idea of unions, not only for adjunct faculty, but for the rest of your institutions as well. I hope you will join in the conversation to let us all know if there is open discussion among groups, among individuals, among administration, etc. Is this an issue on our campus that might be equivalent to "the sky is falling", or is it one where there is clear, open dialogue?
Please comment. Your comments come to me and I will post them under any name or pseudonym you like. The idea is that this should be a transparent discussion and not "so dangerous it couldn't be talked about".
Happy Fourth of July! ---- Independence Day!
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