A message regarding NTT faculty unionization

Dear Faculty Colleagues,

 

Next week, our non-tenure-track faculty colleagues will begin voting on whether to unionize. We strongly urge all eligible non-tenure-track faculty members to vote. They will be bound by the result of this election, even if they do not vote, and so full participation is very important.

 

From the outset, Skidmore College has taken the position that this question belongs to our non-tenure-track faculty colleagues — it is their decision to make. The College seeks to ensure that everyone’s voting rights are protected, that information is shared widely, and that the process moves forward in accordance with the law. We have provided relevant information and answers to any questions that came to our attention, including questions about future compensation and benefits, the bargaining process, voting logistics, and other matters related to potential unionization. The questions and answers that we have shared have all been posted on the DOF website.

 

If there is a central theme to the questions, it relates to the understandable desire to know the future with some degree of certainty. Many have asked whether, with a union in place, compensation and benefits would remain the same, and whether unionized faculty would still be entitled to the current annual General Salary Adjustment (GSA). There is no certainty about this. All terms of employment would be subject to the collective bargaining process. Current arrangements would continue until bargaining is completed, but the final outcome of bargaining is unpredictable.

 

Several have inquired about job security — another matter that would be subject to negotiation with the union. Some have asked about participation in faculty governance, which is complicated by a longstanding U.S. Supreme Court decision holding that certain management-level responsibilities are not appropriate for members of a union-represented bargaining unit.

 

Some have asked whether they would be bound by whatever the union negotiates, even if they vote against unionization. The answer is yes: If the union is chosen for one or both groups, the union would have the exclusive legal authority to bargain and make decisions on behalf of the entire bargaining unit, including those who may have voted against unionization or never voted at all.

 

I believe I speak for our entire faculty and administration when I say our non-tenure-track faculty colleagues are highly valued contributors to our community for whom we have enormous affection and respect. The contributions they make to Skidmore every day are essential to the success of our students and the life of the College.

 

Regardless of the outcome of the election, Skidmore College and I personally remain committed to the welfare of all our employees, and we fully recognize the importance of taking the right steps to properly reward, retain, and honor all of our faculty colleagues. As I said this week at Convocation, the teaching work of our faculty constitutes the very heart of this institution.

 

If you are eligible to vote, please do so. This decision is yours to make, and Skidmore will respect that decision.

 

Sincerely,

 

President