CMU Adjuncts Filing To Unionize

Adjunct faculty at Central Michigan University will vote for union representation in May 2010.

Several adjunct faculty filed in February 2010 for a union representation election with Michigan Employment Relations Commission.

The group of adjunct faculty, named The Union of Teaching Faculty, has worked with The American Federation of Teachers — Michigan since May 2009.

Ian Fulcher, an organizer with the AFT of Michigan, said he contacted CMU adjunct faculty to talk about their concerns.

Most are not sure if they have their jobs secured since they have to re-apply at the end of each semester or year, though some have maintained jobs for about 10 years.
With their workload and finals taking place, it is a stressful situation for adjunct faculty at CMU, Fulcher said.

“It can be stressful and, in some ways, silly,” said Mary Ann Freling, adjunct faculty with the English department. “(We) should have had representation a long time ago.”

Freling said it can take up to a few days to gather information to reapply for the position.

Some requirements for nontenure-track faculty to reapply for employment include writing a letter and submitting the most recent SOS scores and grade distributions.

“It takes time away that I could be spending with students,” Freling said.

For the 2009-10 school year, Freling had to reapply by Feb. 15, 2009. She did not receive a letter back confirming her employment with the English department at CMU until May 20, 2009. The deadline for adjunct faculty this year for the English department is March 15. The application dates differ with each department, which poses a problem, Freling said.

“Where the work and expectations are equal, there should be fairness,” Fulcher said.

Fulcher held a meeting in the summer of 2009, where 20 CMU adjunct faculty attended to discuss concerns.

In order for the group to file for union representation, it is required to collect 30 percent of signatures of supporting adjunct faculty.
Fulcher said the UTF collected more than 50 percent.

“What really holds this group together is their love of teaching,” he said. “They really care about the students.”