PITTSBURGH–(ENEWSPF)–May 11, 2012. The United Steelworkers (USW) today said that members of its Adjuncts Association at Duquesne University will ask the university’s Vice President of Management and Business Steve Schillo for voluntary recognition of their union on Monday, May 14, 2012.
The Adjunct Association of the USW will request that Duquesne University recognize the union as the exclusive collective bargaining representative of all adjunct faculty working at the McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts and begin bargaining over the terms and conditions of employment for the adjuncts.
The union bases this request upon the fact that a majority of all adjuncts signed cards selecting the USW as their collective bargaining representative and authorizing the union to bargain on their behalf. If the university refuses to give voluntary recognition to the Adjuncts Association, the USW is prepared to file for an election with the National Labor Relations Board.
“Members of the Adjuncts Association think that Duquesne is a great university,” said Adjunct Instructor Joshua Zelesnick “We are loyal, longtime employees seeking improved conditions to strengthen the learning environment, and this dedication to Duquesne’s students creates an even better place to work and study.”
Zelesnick said that adjunct instructors often need to rely on multiple jobs to make ends meet. They need time and institutional support to conduct research and publish to remain at the top of their fields.
“In order to continue to provide the quality education Duquesne students deserve, the instructors need a fair contract that will attract and retain a talented and qualified adjunct faculty,” Zelesnick said.
International President Leo Gerard says, “We welcome the opportunity to help workers looking for fairness on the job no matter where they work. Steelworkers are on the factory floor, they’re hospital staff, lawyers and, now, adjunct faculty. The diversity of our membership only makes us stronger.”
Source: usw.org
