2008 Woodie Awards
UTM faculty consider joining union
Jay Baker
Issue date: 11/18/08 Section: Campus News
Faculty may soon have the option to join a union.
"I was motivated to join because I understand that the purpose of this union is to lobby at the state level for higher education," said a UTM professor who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal. "It is because the state government is having money problems money so they have to cut back. I don't like the fact that higher education is being hit so hard."
The source said that a union representative from United Campus Workers (supported by Communications Workers of America) is leading the effort to involve UTM faculty.
UCW's Web site describes the union as for UT staff and faculty, graduate employees and lecturers. The site says the groups mission is to "advance and defend the interests of all UT staff and faculty, as well as promoting solidarity, democracy and advancing social and economic justice in our workplace and in our community."
UCW already has chapters on the Knoxville and Chattanooga campuses.
"A union is about being heard. While one person has little importance to our government, many voices together in the form of a union might prove advantageous," the anonymous source said.
The union is available to UT workers system-wide, but it is joined on an individual basis. This is different from other unions, where the union must be accepted by the company.
According to its Web site, the union lobbies the university and state officials to further the goals of its members.
"I believe the students are as unhappy with the budget cuts as the faculty and staff. They don't like seeing their tuition go up or extra costs for labs," the source said.
"Also, we lose good teachers every year because we can't afford to pay them what other states pay. In the end, that affects the students also."
___
On the Web:
http://www.ucw.cwa.org
"I was motivated to join because I understand that the purpose of this union is to lobby at the state level for higher education," said a UTM professor who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal. "It is because the state government is having money problems money so they have to cut back. I don't like the fact that higher education is being hit so hard."
The source said that a union representative from United Campus Workers (supported by Communications Workers of America) is leading the effort to involve UTM faculty.
UCW's Web site describes the union as for UT staff and faculty, graduate employees and lecturers. The site says the groups mission is to "advance and defend the interests of all UT staff and faculty, as well as promoting solidarity, democracy and advancing social and economic justice in our workplace and in our community."
UCW already has chapters on the Knoxville and Chattanooga campuses.
"A union is about being heard. While one person has little importance to our government, many voices together in the form of a union might prove advantageous," the anonymous source said.
The union is available to UT workers system-wide, but it is joined on an individual basis. This is different from other unions, where the union must be accepted by the company.
According to its Web site, the union lobbies the university and state officials to further the goals of its members.
"I believe the students are as unhappy with the budget cuts as the faculty and staff. They don't like seeing their tuition go up or extra costs for labs," the source said.
"Also, we lose good teachers every year because we can't afford to pay them what other states pay. In the end, that affects the students also."
___
On the Web:
http://www.ucw.cwa.org
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Samantha
posted 11/18/08 @ 5:19 PM CST
I think that this is a great idea and I am all for it. Thank you professors!
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