Our vote for strike authorization opened on September 26 and continues through next Friday, October 7.
The vote has already had an effect on NYU: In our September 28 bargaining session, the university offered a first-year raise of 20 percent on the base pay rates followed by five years with increases of 2.5 percent. While we appreciate NYU finally getting serious, the move is insufficient.
* Our proposal would pay adjuncts teaching lecture/lab classes, performing and studio arts classes, independent study, and at the nursing school $240 per contact hour at the start of the new contract. NYU’s counter would leave us $38 short of that rate after six years.
* Our proposal asked for an administrative hour that would pay us an extra hour per course per week for grading, class prep, or student meetings. NYU’s counter doesn’t even acknowledge the ask.
* Our proposal would close the gap between the lecture/lab rate most adjuncts get paid and the lower rate earned by art teachers, nurses, and those who teach independent study. NYU refuses to address the problem.
We are not just far apart on compensation. NYU still isn’t moving enough on health insurance — especially for adjuncts with families. They will not agree to make classrooms safer, get rid of the annual Request to Teach letter, or close loopholes to protect reappointments. And they still haven’t offered to match the Covid bonus already paid out to non-union workers at NYU.
The union is continuing to fight for all these proposals because they matter to adjuncts — and our students. Even with their 20 percent offer, NYU is defending the status quo.
In response, the Bargaining Committee is urging all eligible members to immediately vote “Yes” for strike authorization. Members who are teaching in the Fall 2022 semester should have already received a ballot. If you believe you are eligible but have not received one please contact nyu_organizer@actuaw.org and attach your reappointment letter.
In Solidarity,
The NYU Bargaining Committee
