Much of the day’s session was dedicated to economics, but we started negotiations by agreeing to discuss a proposed “letter of agreement” regarding adjunct participation on select Faculty Senate committees. When this issue was last discussed in subgroups, we seemed close to consensus. However, today PSU brought forward a new concern that the letter of agreement (LOA)—which would provide funds for adjuncts to participate on Faculty Senate committees—would circumvent the established process of the Faculty Senate Presiding Officer asking the Provost to provide funding for Faculty Senate expenses. It was a difficult and confusing discussion, in no small part because the Faculty Senate Presiding Officer had asked PSUFA to try to negotiate for funding as part of our ongoing bargaining. While PSU had expressed a shared desire to secure adjunct involvement in some key Faculty Senate committees, they seemed to be bringing barriers to the table rather than any solutions.
After caucusing to discuss both the Faculty Senate LOA and prepare to talk economics, we returned to the table and PSU presented an economic package. Their initial offer included 2% pay increases in both Spring ’21 and Spring ’22, a small raise to the accrued sick leave hours cap, and no other changes. This amounts to an average of $262,000 per year over the next two years, or an increase to the university’s operating budget of about 0.044%.
We then took a caucus to discuss generating new economic options. We returned to the table to present a proposal that would move us gradually toward pay parity over the next three years; notably, we significantly reduced the cost of our total financial ask. We reiterated that we understand the university’s responsibility to be financially sustainable in uncertain circumstances, as well as the fact that sustainability is not possible when you’re exploiting a primary resource of the institution by underpaying faculty. We have a moral responsibility to move the university toward a picture of financial sustainability that includes financial sustainability for adjuncts. PSU is preparing to respond to our latest financial proposals on December 4, when we’ll also be trying to move toward resolution around Assignment Rights and Reappointment, Union Rights, and Adjunct inclusion in departments. Please join us—sign up to observe here!