As part of ACT-UAW Local 7902, New School Part-Time Faculty stand in solidarity with our Academic Student Worker colleagues who are ON STRIKE starting today after the university failed to meet their strike deadline with an acceptable contract deal. The furtherance of economic justice is a core value for our union and we applaud our SENS-UAW siblings for holding the university to account in bargaining and urge the university leadership to speedily bring forth offers that fairly compensate Academic Student Workers for the vital role they play in the functioning of our institution. Our union siblings have asked us to stand in solidarity in the following ways:
- Support your students. Don’t penalize striking students or students engaged in other expressions of solidarity.
- Don’t scab. Don’t teach your TA or TF’s class or complete their grading. Don’t agree to replace or otherwise do any work being struck by student workers.
- Work to contract. Article 27: “No Strike, No Lockout” in our contractsays we are not permitted to strike when the agreement is in effect. While you should not withhold labor necessary to fulfill your required duties as PTF, you should also not go ‘over and above’ what is required in our contract.
- If possible, don’t cross the picket line. Updated guidance from the Provost Office sent early this morning makes clear that PTF are “expected to continue to teach their courses and meet their professional obligations,” but can choose to not cross the picket line by holding classes on Zoom or meeting off-campus.
Please join these upcoming actions in solidarity with SENS workers:
SENS-UAW Picket Line
Wednesday, March 6 from 12-5p
University Center
SENS-UAW Bargaining Session
Thursday, March 7 — Time TBD
On Zoom (link forthcoming)
If you have any questions about what else you can do to show up for the students that showed up so heavily for us, please email your union reps at newschool@actuaw.org.
If you have any access requests regarding this communication please contact us at 212-432-2120 or write to mail@actuaw.org.
