- GROWING PSC RESPONSIVENESS TO ADJUNCT NEEDS. The past failure of the

Avg

PLEASE POST

WHY ADJUNCT FACULTY
SHOULD JOIN THE PSC

OR

THE ONLY WAY TO BEAT THEM IS TO JOIN THEM

The Adjunct Faculty Association (AFA) is not known for its
excessive love of the faculty union, the Professional Staff Congress
(PSC). Last year we seriously investigated forming a separate

union for part-time faculty, and filed suit against the PSC for

bargaining in “bad faith” for its part-time personnel. Our efforts
to form a new union or obtain dramatic legal redress for adjunct
grievances have failed, at least for the foreseeable future. We
have concluded that under the circumstances it would be folly for
part-time faculty to remain outside of the PSC. Here's why:

ADJUNCT VOTING STRENGTH. There are approximately 6000 part-time
faculty at the City University as compared to 11,000 full-time
faculty. But only 600 out of more than 6000 union members are part-
timers. Because union politics are delicately balanced between sev-
eral factions, our 600 members (double the number of eighteen months
ago) are already a force of some importance. If we had even 1000- —
2000 union members, we could determine the outcome of PSC elections.

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union to support the needs of adjuncts is partially the fault of adjuncts

themselves. Until two years ago part-timers at CUNY were virtually

- wnorganized. At that time, part-timers took the first step towards

organizing themselves by forming the Adjunct Faculty Association.

Although the AFA was formed too late to influence the last contract,

we have already met with some successes. We have obtained a repre-
sentative elected by part-time union members on the Executive Council
of the union. We have elected at least one adjunct to the Delegate
Assembly of the union. The union has prevented the mass firings of
adjuncts on several campuses. We have obtained a slight dues reduction
for the part-time faculty to $50 per year. We have been fairly
successful in obtaining a hearing for adjunct problems in the union ;
newspaper, the Clarion. We have obtained somewhat greater representation
for adjuncts on union committees. These and other successes, although
not spectacular, are significant. Much more could be obtained if ©
large numbers of adjuncts belonged to the union.

: CROSS-CAMPUS UNIT. Part-timers are at present drastically under-

represented in the Delegate Assembly of the PSC (the governing body |
of the union). This underrepresentation could be partially remedied

+ adjuncts were to-obtain a so-called “cross-campus unit,” as have x

registrars and other minority groups in the union. Such a unit
would guarantee to part-timers one member in the PSC Delegate Assembly
for every 100 union members. This proposal is opposed by the majority
of union leaders, but has considerable rank and file support. We
believe that it could be passed by a membership referendum. Only
union members can vote in such a referendum. The more adjuncts who
take part in this referendum, the better its chances of passage.

HEALTH INSURANCE. The PSC is instituting a group-plan health insurance
program for its part-time faculty. For adjuncts who buy health
insurance on an individual basis, the savings in this plan will b

in many cases sufficient to offset the cost of union dues.

GONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS. The part-time faculty was badly hurt in the

last PSC contract. Negotiations for the next contract are already

beginning. Adjuncts must join the union now if they are to exert
their potential strength on union negotiators in the next round of
contract negotiations. se



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DUES. The $50 per year dues for adjunct faculty are admittedly very
high. The AFA advocates a reduction to $20-30 per year. However,
these dues should be compared to the $180 dues for full-time faculty.
Last year dues for adjuncts were reduced slightly, while those of

the full-time faculty were increased. One reason why part-time dues
were not reduced further is that the union is obligated to send $44
of the dues which it receives from each part-timer to its state and
national affiliates. Union dues should be looked upon as an invest-
ment. If large numbers of adjuncts join the union, the next contract
will more than recoup the cost of dues. Dues can be automatically

deducted from your paycheck in relatively painless installments.

Further information about union membership and a dues checkoff
card may be obtained from your local union representative or by
calling or writing to the Professional Staff Congress at 25 West
43rd St., Suite 620, N.Y., N.Y. 10036, (Cards may also be obtained
from the AFA, ) ei

While you are joining organizations, why not join the Adjunct
Faculty Association? Such progress as has been made for part-time
faculty is largely a result of our efforts. We put out the only
newsletter which freely publishes all news and opinion relevant to
part-time faculty. Only we have taken legal action against the PSC.
Only we are in a position to make recommendations on such matters
as the election of union officers. For these reasons the AFA deserves
the membership and support of all part-time faculty.

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Adjunct Faculty Association
Box 176
Ansonia Station

sada at a ae ts te aan sentir

--'I enclose $3.00 or more for one year's membership (Make checks

payable to "Adjunct Faculty Association"--your canceled check is your

receipt.) ce
- Name oe ESS ee = College _
peodrecs * ee Se EE

Home phone__

Check one or more of the following if you would be willing to: —

) Attend meetings ( ) Distribute literature
) Perform clerical work : (+) Perform research

) Solicit members ( ) Legal Committee

) Work on newsletter eae

Other (please specify) __