ACT-UAW–Part-Time Faculty Successor Contract Negotiations Update: Session 27
On Thursday, November 17, The New School and Local 7902 bargaining teams came to the table once again and made important progress towards a renewed contract that works for everyone.
The parties were able to reach Tentative Agreements on four articles: Faculty Rights & Responsibilities (including four paid departmental meetings per year for part-time faculty), Union Access, Professional Development (allocating $150,000 per year in professional development funds), and Paid Academic Leave.
The university also led a robust conversation around an innovative promotion scheme designed to provide greater job security for part-time faculty. In particular, the university proposed revamping the process by which part-time faculty receive a minimum number of courses, and updating the process by which the university establishes teaching baseload that enables continuing part-time faculty to move into an annualized status sooner. The union asked thoughtful questions, leaving the university feeling encouraged that the union may be open to this novel way of bridging our interests and reaching a better outcome for everyone.
Given the forward momentum and productive dialogue today, the union is considering the university’s request to begin earlier or stay later than the 12:00pm – 4:00pm session planned for tomorrow, and the university stands ready and willing to add further time or negotiating sessions as needed.
The four Tentative Agreements reached today bring us that much closer to agreement on a strong, renewed contract. With only a dozen articles remaining, we look forward to meeting tomorrow to continue productive dialogue towards a resolution.