Around 1,000 full-time non-tenure-track faculty at New York University (NYU) are prepared to strike Monday if contract negotiations with management continue to stall this weekend.
Strike Looms Over NYU
Faculty and supporters are prepared to picket starting March 23 at 9 a.m. Outside the school’s John A. Paulson Building in Greenwich Village if a fair contract is not settled before that time. Contract Faculty United – UAW (CFU-UAW) represents the educators, and their demands center on compensation, job security, academic freedom, AI, and workload.
Elisabeth Fay, a member of the bargaining committee, stated that the administration is refusing to discuss salary compression – a situation where there is little difference in pay between employees with different skill sets or levels of experience. Workload, job security, and housing and retiree medical benefits are also key sticking points in the negotiations.
NYU administration presented the union with a “comprehensive contract proposal” on Friday, offering significant raises and what they claim are the “highest minimum salaries” of any unionized contract faculty in the nation. According to Wiley Norvell, NYU’s chief communications officer, the package includes average raises of $10,000 this year alone, and guaranteed raises for the next five years.
NYU administrators have a contingency plan in place, including the use of substitute professors, should a strike occur on Monday. The school maintains that its top priority is the continued academic progress of its students.
Broad Support for Faculty
More than 60 elected officials have urged the administration to settle with the union, with a letter signed by Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal, and NYC Council Members Chris Marte, Virginia Maloney and Harvey Epstein, among others. Nearly 1,500 students and advocates have also pledged their support for the faculty.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the faculty demanding?
The faculty, represented by Contract Faculty United – UAW (CFU-UAW), are seeking improvements in compensation, job security, academic freedom, and addressing concerns related to AI and workload.
What is NYU’s response to the potential strike?
NYU administration says they have presented the union with a “comprehensive contract proposal” offering significant raises and the “highest minimum salaries” of any unionized contract faculty in the nation, and have a contingency plan in place should a strike occur.
Where would picketing seize place if a strike happens?
Picket lines are planned to begin at 9 a.m. On March 23 outside the school’s John A. Paulson Building in Greenwich Village.
As negotiations continue, what impact will the outcome have on the future of adjunct faculty roles and the overall landscape of higher education at NYU?
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