In a significant development in the world of academia, non-tenure-track faculty members at Tulane University in New Orleans and the University of San Diego have taken a significant step in asserting their rights and improving working conditions by unionizing. The move comes at a time when non-tenure-track faculty members in higher education institutions across the country are increasingly recognizing the need for collective action to address issues such as job security, fair wages, and access to benefits.
At Tulane University, a group of non-tenure-track faculty members formed the Tulane Non-Tenure Track Faculty Union (TNTTFU) in response to concerns about job insecurity and lack of access to resources. The unionization effort was successful, with a majority of faculty members voting in favor of forming a union. The TNTTFU aims to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement with the university that addresses issues such as fair compensation, job security, and professional development opportunities.
Similarly, at the University of San Diego, non-tenure-track faculty members have also come together to form a union, known as the University of San Diego Non-Tenure-Track Faculty United (USD-NTTFU). The unionization effort at USD was driven by similar concerns about job insecurity and lack of benefits for non-tenure-track faculty members. By unionizing, faculty members at USD hope to negotiate a contract that will provide them with greater job security and access to benefits such as healthcare and retirement plans.
Unionization efforts among non-tenure-track faculty members at universities are part of a broader trend in higher education, as adjunct faculty members and other contingent workers increasingly seek to organize in response to the challenging working conditions they face. Non-tenure-track faculty members often lack job security, receive lower pay than their tenured counterparts, and have limited access to benefits such as healthcare and retirement plans. By joining together in a union, faculty members can leverage their collective bargaining power to negotiate for better working conditions and fair treatment.
The unionization of non-tenure-track faculty members at Tulane University and the University of San Diego is a notable development that highlights the growing momentum of the labor movement in higher education. As more contingent workers choose to unionize, universities are being prompted to address the concerns of non-tenure-track faculty members and work towards creating a more equitable and inclusive academic environment. It is hoped that the formation of these unions will lead to positive changes for non-tenure-track faculty members at both institutions and serve as a model for other universities looking to support their contingent workers.