Education
Northwestern’s Non-Tenure, Adjunct Faculty Launch New Unionization Bid
(Courtesy of Northwestern University)
Some teaching faculty members at Northwestern University are seeking to unionize, hoping it will “strengthen and amplify the voice of the teaching faculty.”
Wednesday marked the launch of a new union organizing drive by non-tenure eligible and adjunct faculty at the Evanston-based university after two years of organizing conversations.
“Again and again, we have heard that our colleagues want a meaningful voice in the decisions that affect our work and our students,” Averill Curdy, a Northwestern faculty member said in a statement. “Forming a union will strengthen and amplify the voice of the teaching faculty. In a union, we can help ensure fair and gender-equitable raises, protect academic freedom, and make Northwestern an institution where outstanding educators want to build their careers.”
As many as 800 faculty members across NU’s six undergraduate-serving schools could be eligible to join the union, organizers said. They’ve begun working with the Illinois Federation of Teachers, who have provided advice and outreach.
A spokesperson for Northwestern said the university “deeply values the contributions that our faculty, regardless of rank, title or discipline, make to the University’s mission of educating our students and preparing them to impact our world.”
“We have received a request for voluntary recognition of a non-tenure-eligible faculty union, which is under review,” the spokesperson said. “The University remains steadfast in its commitment to work with and support all faculty members.”
Non-tenure eligible faculty previously attempted to unionize but that bid failed by a narrow vote in 2018. Since then, organizers said they’ve gone through years without raises along with “austerity measures because of financial mismanagement, the suspension of retirement contributions, the erosion of benefits, and threats to academic freedom.”
They say they’ve been left without a meaningful voice in the conditions impacting their work and their students’ education.
“When faculty have a democratic voice, we will be better positioned to advocate for the programs, resources and opportunities our students need to succeed,” Jesse Yeh, a faculty member in Legal Studies, said in a statement. “That matters, especially for students and communities whose opportunities are increasingly at risk. Organizing a union is one way faculty can come together to improve Northwestern and make sure every student has the chance to thrive.”
Faculty organizers say they’ll now begin collecting signatures from eligible employees indicating their desire to form a union. At least 30% of the unit — about 240 members — must show an interest in forming a union before an election can be held, according to requirements from the National Labor Relations Board.
Organizers believe that election could take place as soon as this fall.
“We are excited about the opportunity to form our union and have a voice in the decision-making at NU that impacts our careers, our students, and the future of this institution we love,” faculty member Steph Knezz said in a statement. “We know that through a union, we can help make Northwestern a stronger, fairer, and more inclusive place for students and the incredible educators who work here, now and in the future.”
