Adjunct Instructors Seek to Improve Education, Working Environment
Contact: Randa Ruge: (412) 562-6967, rruge@usw.org
PITTSBURGH (April 29) – The Adjunct Faculty Association of the United Steelworkers (AFA-USW) today filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to hold a union election for part-time faculty members at Pittsburgh’s Point Park University.
With the petition, the 314 part-time Point Park instructors have joined a growing movement in higher education to improve the quality of education and the working conditions for adjunct faculty. The issues the instructors hope to address include a decade of wage stagnation as well as their lack of benefits, job security, office space and other tools needed to provide the quality education that Point Park students deserve.
“I’m confident that the vote will be successful,” said Point Park instructor Sharon Brady, who has taught theater arts at the college for 13 years. “I welcome the potential for positive changes that union representation will bring and look forward to working with the administration to enhance the adjuncts’ experience at Point Park and to improve the quality of education for the students they serve.”
Adjunct instructors at Pittsburgh’s Duquesne University voted overwhelmingly in the spring of 2012 to join the AFA-USW, and the university at first agreed to abide by the election results before quickly changing its mind, claiming a religious exemption. Duquesne has since refused to recognize the union.
The Point Park election is likely to be held via mail ballot within the next two months.
The USW is the largest industrial union in North America, representing workers in a range of industries including metals, mining, rubber, paper and forestry, oil refining, health care, security, hotels, and municipal governments and agencies.
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