At our twelfth bargaining session, we are happy to share we reached tentative agreements on three more articles with the SVA administration: Health and Safety, Academic Freedom, and Union Management Committee. We are also extremely close to being in agreement on two other articles, Grievance and Arbitration, and Bargaining Unit Information. You can watch bargaining committee member Justin Elm (Art History, VCS, Honors) recap our recent progress here.
Our Academic Freedom article most importantly ensures faculty have the right to speak freely outside classroom and inside the classroom, without fear of retaliation or reprisal. Similarly, our Health and Safety article establishes a contractual obligation for the SVA administration to maintain a safe and healthy work environment, including adequate heating and cooling, which has been an issue for many faculty, and necessary materials to teach in a safe manner. It also establishes adequate measures to protect faculty working in hazardous environments, such as proper ventilation, and other precautions.
We’re looking forward to future bargaining sessions as we move into the very important stage of negotiating economic articles of this first contract – this will include proposals on pay, benefits, professional development, and others. You can read the full status of all articles we have proposed on our website.
Take a moment to add your name to our petition – the more faculty who sign, the more leverage we have as we prepare to negotiate over compensation and other critical topics:
Other updates:
- USC part-time and full-time faculty vote to unionize: non-tenure track faculty at University of Southern California with United Faculty-UAW won their union by an overwhelming 70% ‘yes’ vote – we’re excited to be part of a growing national movement!
- Congressional Subcommittee approves budget proposal that would defund major arts education grant: The proposal would eliminate the only remaining Department of Education (DE) arts grant program. If you or your work might be impacted by this change, please reply directly to this email to discuss more.
- NYC Democratic primary GOTV canvass and phonebank opportunities with UAW Region 9A-endorsed candidates: UAW Region 9A, the geographic region representing over 30,000 workers across NYC, New England, and Puerto Rico that our union is part of, has endorsed five UAW members running for elected office. These candidates can be strong allies in our efforts to improve our working conditions and fight for pro-worker, pro-education policies more broadly. You can read more about the candidates here, and RSVP to help canvas, make calls, or participate in election day poll-visibility today (6/22) and tomorrow (6/23).
Best,
Joan Hilty, BFA Comics
on behalf of SVA/FAC-UAW Bargaining Committee
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