Pace adjuncts want new pact

From NY Metro:

INTERVIEW. It’s been more than three years since Pace University’s adjunct faculty voted to join New York State United Teachers. The adjuncts, however, say they’re still fighting for a fair contract, claiming the administration has delayed by launching “frivolous” lawsuits challenging who can be at the bargaining table. (The administration lost the initial case and two appeals are pending with the National Labor Relations Board.)

John Pawlowski, president of the university’s adjunct union, told Metro he’s hoping to avoid a strike in the spring.

Where do talks stand?

We haven’t gotten anywhere on the main things: job security, salary and benefits. We’ve come to agreement on lesser issues — jury time off, paid sick leave. We’re asking for adjuncts of a certain number of years to have job security. Right now you’re at the whim of the department chair. The administration claims it limits their flexibility. We want to give adjuncts the right of first refusal. We’re saying the only way to dismiss an adjunct is for cause.

What about the salary?

We’re going for salary parity with the full-timers. Right now, an adjunct makes about one-quarter of a full-timer. Adjuncts earn about $2,500 to $3,000 for a 3-credit course. If you take a full-timer making $100,000 a year, spending 70 percent of the time in class, for a 24-credit course-load, it’s quite a disparity.

Will you strike?

We would not like to. Before the union came about, I thought adjuncts were people [like me] who had other jobs and taught because they had time and enjoyed it. I didn’t realize there’s a whole group of people who make their living doing this. It would be really hard for them if we went on strike. The university wants us to give up, but we’re not going away.