"Don't Sign Away Your Contract!"
Item
THE LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE OF THE CITY UNIVERSITY
11 West 42nd Street, New York, N.Y. 10036 Tel: 244-7606 April 1971
DON'T SIGN AWAY YOUR CONTRACT!
The UFCT’s call for a new collective bargaining election runs the risk of immediately
nullifying both the LC and UFCT contracts with the Board of Higher Education.
If the required 30% were to sign the UFCT petition for a new representation election,
it may be possible for the Board to legally tear up both existing contracts pending the out-
come of a lengthy and costly election process.
It’s clear why the UFCT is willing to run that risk. President Kugler is threatened by
internal challenges to his lust for power, the union’s financial insolvency, and his proven
failure to produce results for his members. He has little to louse.
But the daingers to the CUNY staff—to everyone, lecturers and professors alike—
are immense.
If as a result of the UFCT’s actions the Board succeeds in terminating our present
contracts, which are due to expire August 31, 1972, it might allow the State Legislature, the
City, and the Board to:
cancel the mandated salary increases of October 19717
freeze reappointments, tenure, promotions, sabbaticals
freely expand the powers of the Chancellor and the Presidents
further increase workloads and enlarge classes
The Legislative Conference favors a single bargainiiig agent for both units of the
CUNY instructional staff. UFCT’s wantonly reckless actions are eloquent arguments
against a divided staff and for a united faculty.
But this is the worst possible time for fratricide.
Don’t risk signiing away your contract!
Don’t sign the UFCT petition!
11 West 42nd Street, New York, N.Y. 10036 Tel: 244-7606 April 1971
DON'T SIGN AWAY YOUR CONTRACT!
The UFCT’s call for a new collective bargaining election runs the risk of immediately
nullifying both the LC and UFCT contracts with the Board of Higher Education.
If the required 30% were to sign the UFCT petition for a new representation election,
it may be possible for the Board to legally tear up both existing contracts pending the out-
come of a lengthy and costly election process.
It’s clear why the UFCT is willing to run that risk. President Kugler is threatened by
internal challenges to his lust for power, the union’s financial insolvency, and his proven
failure to produce results for his members. He has little to louse.
But the daingers to the CUNY staff—to everyone, lecturers and professors alike—
are immense.
If as a result of the UFCT’s actions the Board succeeds in terminating our present
contracts, which are due to expire August 31, 1972, it might allow the State Legislature, the
City, and the Board to:
cancel the mandated salary increases of October 19717
freeze reappointments, tenure, promotions, sabbaticals
freely expand the powers of the Chancellor and the Presidents
further increase workloads and enlarge classes
The Legislative Conference favors a single bargainiiig agent for both units of the
CUNY instructional staff. UFCT’s wantonly reckless actions are eloquent arguments
against a divided staff and for a united faculty.
But this is the worst possible time for fratricide.
Don’t risk signiing away your contract!
Don’t sign the UFCT petition!
Title
"Don't Sign Away Your Contract!"
Description
In this item, the Legislative Conference (LC) voices disapproval of the ongoing efforts by the rival United Federation of College Teachers (UFCT) to replace the two bargaining units and two contracts that resulted from the collective bargaining elections and contract negotiations of 1968-69. The LC warns of the danger of a new collective bargaining election, including the possibility of a termination of the contracts of 1969, which were scheduled to run until August 31, 1972.
The UFCT had desired the election of a single unit to represent all of faculty and staff at CUNY. The LC, meanwhile, preferred that any change in the representation of the faculty and staff come through negotiations with the UFCT, a process that guaranteed that the LC’s interests would be protected. They were against a new election, the outcome of which was uncertain. Ultimately, the two groups would agree to a merger in April 1972, forming the Professional Staff Congress (PSC).
The UFCT had desired the election of a single unit to represent all of faculty and staff at CUNY. The LC, meanwhile, preferred that any change in the representation of the faculty and staff come through negotiations with the UFCT, a process that guaranteed that the LC’s interests would be protected. They were against a new election, the outcome of which was uncertain. Ultimately, the two groups would agree to a merger in April 1972, forming the Professional Staff Congress (PSC).
Creator
Legislative Conference
Date
April 1971
Language
English
Rights
Obtained from Contributor - Copyright Unknown
Source
Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives
Original Format
Flier / Leaflet (1 or 2 page handout)
Legislative Conference. Letter. 1971. “‘Don’t Sign Away Your Contract!’”, 1971, CUNY DIGITAL HISTORY ARCHIVE, accessed March 10, 2026, https://stephenz.tailc22a4b.ts.net/s/cdha/item/442