Our Ignored Colleagues: Part-Time Faculty

On our campuses, we see 40-plus% of our sections taught by part-time faculty. In required general education courses on some campuses, 90% of the sections are taught by part-time faculty.

Over twenty years ago, our union’s long-serving leaders pledged to make part-time faculty pay proportionate to full-time faculty pay. In other words, each three-credit course worth of compensation would equal one tenth of a full-time faculty member’s salary.

Had this promise been kept, one three-credit course today would carry a compensation rate of $4300 as opposed to the current $3700.

Furthermore, part-time faculty in our system have uneven access to clerical support, computers, and even work stations.

Finally, we see our current union leaders settling for 5% raises for part-timers while fighting for 8 3/4% (plus retro money), 6 1/4% and 6 1/4% for full-timers. Not only is this wrong, it is self-defeating, as our arbitrator will understand the message we send about the raises we all should get—5%.

Strong unions do not ignore the promises they make to their members. Strong unions do not settle for less for some of their members. Strong unions advocate for all of their members fairly and equally.

When will the 4C’s be a strong union?

NEXT: Our Most Abused Members—Educational Assistants