Collective Bargaining for Faculty Rights

Operates as a union representing employees at a college, engaging in collective bargaining and advocacy on behalf of its members.

Organizes rallies, mobilizes faculty, and pressures management to oppose proposed cuts to adjunct workloads, academic programs, and benefits; successfully reversed proposed cuts to the Architecture Writing Program and adjunct workloads.

Represents approximately 1,500 faculty members at Pratt Institute in collective bargaining, grievance processing, and contract negotiations to secure employment terms including salary, benefits, and working conditions.

Disseminated information about updated compensation and employment terms to part-time and full-time faculty following ratification of the Memorandum of Agreement.

Organized opposition to proposed cuts in the High Deductible Health Care Plan, resulting in the restoration of most benefits for full-time and CCE faculty members.

Conducted ratification votes on key union documents including a new Constitution and Bylaws, and Memoranda of Agreement and Understanding, with membership participation ranging from 42% to 50%.

Negotiated and distributed $1,000,000 in equalization funds through collective bargaining to address salary inequities, adjusting compensation for 143 full- and part-time faculty members in Fall 2025.

Conducted a nominations and election process resulting in the selection of Emily Beall as President and formation of a new Executive Committee effective January 1, 2026.

Conducts biennial elections for Executive Committee officers, Elected Representatives, and an Elections Committee in December of even-numbered years, operating under an established constitution and bylaws to ensure democratic union governance.

Advocates for faculty rights through sustained collective action, including pay equity cases and integration of LGBTQ+ rights and intersectionality into union practices. Protects academic autonomy by affirming faculty authority over grading and class enrollment decisions.

Engages in periodic negotiations with university management to secure and improve faculty working conditions, salaries, and benefits through legally binding collective bargaining agreements. This includes negotiating salary increases, adjunct pay rates, and terms related to job security and academic freedom.

Sends regular communications to members, maintains a website and social media presence, and provides information on contract language and legislation to keep faculty informed and engaged.

Provides union representation to full-time and adjunct faculty during disciplinary or investigatory meetings, ensures due process rights under the collective bargaining agreement, and investigates reported contract violations. All employees in the bargaining unit are covered regardless of membership status.

Offers training, seminars, workshops, and leadership development opportunities for faculty members, including webinars, guidebooks, and discounted publications to support professional growth and union engagement.

Secures contractual protections for adjunct faculty, including compensation if course assignments are canceled less than one week before the semester and a promotion pathway to Senior Adjunct status with enhanced job security.

Negotiates and secures entitlements for full-time faculty including release time (6–8 credits) for birth or adoption, the option to extend the tenure clock by one year, and full-pay medical disability leave (six weeks for regular delivery, eight for C-section).

Engages in collective bargaining and advocacy to protect the legal and workplace rights of faculty members.

Negotiates collective bargaining agreements to improve compensation, benefits, and job protections for adjunct faculty and provides formal grievance procedures and due process protections, including in cases of dismissal for cause.