PSU-AAUP Strike: What Adjuncts Need to Know
What’s Going On With PSU-AAUP: As you know, PSU-AAUP recently declared an impasse in contract negotiations. This means that a strike is possible, should the last best offer from PSU management fail to meet with approval from AAUP membership. PSU-AAUP has asked its members to vote on whether or not to approve a strike, and is expected to announce the results of a vote in the coming days. This does not necessarily mean a strike will take place–in 2014, PSU-AAUP voted to approve a strike. Immediately after the vote, PSU management offered a revised contract that was accepted by union members, and averted the strike. However, all campus unions are preparing to stand in solidarity with full-time faculty in the event that a strike is necessary.
What the Law Says: The Public Employee Collective Bargaining Act (PECBA) does not allow PSUFA to strike in solidarity alongside AAUP, and considers a refusal to cross a picket line (by employees not in the striking bargaining unit) as an illegal strike. This DOES NOT MEAN you can’t support the picket line, attend rallies, and engage in a range of solidarity actions.
What the University Might Try to Do: It is possible the University will attempt to replace full-time faculty with adjuncts by asking us to pick up classes, research assignments, etc. This is known as “scabbing” in the labor movement; workers who fill in for striking union members are referred to as scabs. Last minute assignments or wage agreements this Spring are very likely the university's attempt to undermine a strike. You do NOT have to say yes to these asks; our Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) protects adjuncts who decline courses. CBA Article 8 Section 3.6 says: An Adjunct can decline any courses offered to them without penalty to their assignment rights. This declination must be in writing. Please reach out to PSUFA if you get a last minute assignment, or face retaliation for refusing extra work.
How Adjuncts Can Support Our Full-Time Colleagues: In addition to saying no to extra work, there are lots of ways adjuncts can support our full-time colleagues. PSUFA will keep members posted on solidarity opportunities as our colleagues approach a potential strike date. Adjuncts can follow CLASS, the student-led pro-labor group on campus, for more information about student solidarity actions.
Are you ready to stand with our full-time colleagues right now? Sign the community strike solidarity pledge today!