UUP made a strong showing at the American Federation of Teachers’ (AFT) annual conference on higher education issues.

Close to two dozen UUPers joined higher ed academics and professionals from across America March 5-8 in Miami, participating in the AFT conference “Generating Power: Mobilizing the Union to Revitalize Higher Education.” UUPers attended daily workshops and plenary sessions on topics from building faculty and staff diversity to campus safety and organizational structures for contingent faculty.

Several workshops focused on issues important to contingent faculty, many of whom are worried about their jobs as campuses in New York and other states restrict spending to make up for revenue cuts.

President Phillip Smith, VP for Professionals John Marino and Stony Brook HSC delegate Ora James Bouey were workshop moderators at the conference. AFT President Randi Weingarten delivered the keynote address, on “Fighting for America’s Future: It’s Dollars and Sense.

And UUP was honored with the President’s Circle award, the highest of AFTs new Higher Education Political Action Awards. UUP was one of 16 locals to win the honor.

The conference’s main theme was spotlighted during “Stronger Together,” a plenary session discussion to promote intra-union solidarity. Smith, the seminar’s moderator, urged the more than 400 members in attendance to work toward the goal.

“We can’t achieve unity by hiding difficulties and competing interests under the table,” Smith said. “As difficult as this might be, we have to be in the open in confronting these issues to get past them.”

Members listened as AFT Organization and Field Services Deputy Director Jessica Smith read results from an eye-opening survey of conference participants showing how their sometimes negative views of other members impede unity on campus.

They broke up into smaller groups to discuss issues impacting academics, professionals and full and part-time staff and reported the results to the group.

In her keynote address, AFT President Weingarten spoke about the proposed Employee Free Choice Act. During her 30-minute talk, she explained the importance of the bill, which allows workers to form unions without interference from employers.

“Strong unions, like investments in crucial programs and increased access to healthcare, are central to the future of the country,” she said. “Unions allow workers to share in the prosperity they help create, expanding the middle class and strengthening America.”

Contingent views

At least three workshops were geared toward contingent faculty, including one on the AFT’s Faculty and College Excellence campaign (FACE). During that session, participants—many of them contingent faculty—discussed ways to establish a better balance between full-time and part-time academics.

“In so many places, it’s full-time versus part-time,” said Jennie Smith, a panelist from the Community College of Philadelphia’s Faculty and Staff Federation. “Can’t we just get along?”

Marino co-hosted a workshop that focused on job promotions for professional staff. He talked about the importance of clear, strong contract language, monitoring the implementation of promotion policies and how to make gains in future negotiations. Bouey moderated “Accreditation and Regulation,” a panel discussion that examined political pressure on accreditation bodies, its impact on colleges and AFT’s response to the situation.

UUPers at the conference said the experience was a positive one. The workshops were informative and the gathering shed light on an issue that isn’t paid enough attention: the need for members to unite within the union.    

“It’s through learning that you break down the walls and eliminate barriers and effectively work together better,” said UUP Executive Board member Carolyn Kube of Stony Brook HSC.

— Michael Lisi