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THE PATRIOT RETURNS |
Vol. 42, No.1 September 24, 2008
CUNY ADJUNCTS: IT'S TIME TO DUMP BARBARA, STEVE AND THEIR RAMSHACKLE PSC IT'S TIME TO FORM AN ADJUNCT UNION
Never before in PSC history has there been such division in the ranks as during this last contract ratification. (See here and here) Despite Dear Leader Bowen and Foggy London's protestations that this was the best contract they could get, and that they tried very, very hard, neither full-timers nor part-timers accept PSC management's excuses for a really lousy contract that does not even keep pace with the cost of living index. PSC members, both full time and part time, have totally lost confidence in the Bowen/London incompetent management team. Not too long ago, this same management team hired a convicted felon as PSC house attorney (Link). This same irresponsible group regularly mans the negotiating table with the most incompetent people around. They have never negotiated a decent contract and they never will. One should not expect them to accomplish much. They were too arrogant to take our advice and hire a competent experienced negotiator, and we've all lost real money as a result. Out of frustration, the membership has voted to accept the contract, understanding that with these same guys doing the bargaining, sending them back to bargain again will not yield better results. Two things are clear: This contract has crystallized their legacy of incompetence: and this contract symbolizes the increasing distrust between full-timers and part-timers. The once quiet, reticent resentment of full-timers against part-timers (not as colleagues, but as a group which consumes the majority of PSC resources and attention) and of part-timers against full-timers - has now become an open and loud protest, indeed a mini-warfare. The recent exchanges between adjuncts and full-timers about the shortcomings of the contract have evoked outcries and protests against the very union management which survived and managed to get twice re-elected on what is widely believed to be the voting strength of the adjuncts. Many full-timers feel that their salaries and benefits would have been much better if their role as the mainstay of the faculty and instructional staff were recognized by PSC management, stating that most adjuncts have only peripheral interest in CUNY and its institutional life. Following are some remarks among the many that The Patriot has received on this issue. A senior college F/T Professor writes, "... as a full time faculty [member] for many years, I have to say that taking a part time position is a choice. It is a choice in that adjuncts (in our department and in my profession) do not have earned research doctorates, are paid for the exact time they teach and do not attend meetings, contribute to scholarship of the profession and do not further the promotion of the department. As a full time faculty [member] at CUNY for almost 25 years, I work over 40 hours a week on teaching, curriculum development, professional development (attending conferences...at my own expense, serving on professional committees), writing grants, publishing, mentoring new FULL TIME faculty so they can earn tenure." Another senior college Professor argues, "How can one bargaining unit (PSC) honestly represent our diverse constituency without pitting one faction against the other?? The interests of adjuncts are not the interests of full-time faculty or HEO's. The adjunct ranks are powerless and disorganized, and function at the whim of CUNY mandates and policy. How can one explain inexperienced doctoral students (GTF) given first choice of course selection over long-term, highly experienced adjuncts??? Maybe it is time for adjuncts to stop being Cinderella of the PSC and step out to the ball on their own." Yet another full-time (community college) Professor states, "Part-time College Assistants, who are members of DC37, enjoy greater job security and benefits than [CUNY] adjuncts!!!!" In his essay, published in a recent issue of the Patriot Returns, (Link), Dr. David Lichtenthal advises us that "Full time people will have to become more vocal within their union and on campus once again. Most of all, voting on any matter as it pertains to the prerogatives of the professoriate can no longer be seen as optional. It probably never was." SOME HISTORICAL CONTEXT A study of the history of the PSC will indicate that the PSC began as a union for full-time faculty. There was also a part-time union headed by Israel Kugler. At some point in time, the two merged and became the PSC. But this experiment hasn't worked, at least not with the present PSC management. In recent years, in addition to the United Auto Workers local 7902, which began representing NYU adjuncts a few years ago, (Click Here) both the New School of Social Research and Marymount College have organized adjunct unions, as have many others in New York City and New York State. For example, in 2004, adjuncts at Pace University (who make up a staggering 62% of the faculty) voted to form a union with the American Federation of Teachers and New York State United Teachers. The trend today is towards adjuncts forming their own separate unions. To My Friends in the Adjunct Ranks: This Bonnie and Clyde team of Foggy London and Battling Barb has co-opted your support in past elections and gotten you virtually nothing, while they enjoy generous released time, summer salaries, stipends and trips around the country (How many trips has Steve taken to Florida to "visit the retirees?") and the world (How many union-paid trips to Mexico, Colombia S. Am., ... to "help" the downtrodden?) In my opinion, they have thrown peanuts at you. In this contract you are being fed bare bones to chew on. You have even been denied the ability to express your opinions on the contract in the union's official newspaper The Clarion (Link). You had to beg for a website forum and still could not get on it unless you were not only a delegate or alternate to the DA but were also present at one specific meeting! Do you now realize how worthless and dispensable you are in the opinion of the PSC management? How much more bullying will you endure? As far as Barbara and Steve are concerned, you are useful when you support their status quo; once you have the temerity to speak up, you're finished. Think of this, my friends. The current leadership of the adjunct faculty should call a meeting to organize, raise some funds and hire a competent attorney (one who is not a convicted felon). File for the recognition of your union with the NLRB (National Labor Relations Board). Their offices are right here in downtown Manhattan, a mere subway ride away: 26 Federal Plaza, Room 3614 If you file, you will probably get separate union recognition by Fall 2009 and begin negotiating face to face with Chancellor Mathew Goldstein and his CUNY management bureaucrats for your own separate contract. You do not need to await a handout from the current PSC no-gooders who have sold you out.
- Barbara - With all your noise in the Clarion and in your speeches on the campuses about your power in Democratic-dominated Albany, you are once again ignored by the party and its leaders. We wonder why Randy always gets these opportunities and you never do. Is it because Randy never demonstrated in front of Superintendent Klein's home, whereas you conducted a noisy parade and demonstration in front of Chancellor Goldstein's home? Is it because she has responsibly supported viable candidates for public office while you persisted in supporting the Working Families Party and Stanley Aronowitz (for governor!)? Is it because she is seen as a credible leader while you are viewed as no more than a bothersome rabble-rouser?
Sharad Karkhanis, Ph.D.
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