Non-tenure track faculty petition

Dear Skidmore Community,

Skidmore College has received a petition from a group of non-tenure track faculty to join the union Faculty Forward/SEIU. We have deep respect for our non-tenure track faculty colleagues and for the contributions each makes to our students’ success and to enriching campus life at Skidmore. We also respect their legal right to join a union if they wish to do so, and we will of course respect the principle of a free and fair decision-making process for our employees.

Joining a union is a matter of personal choice for each individual. Employees have a right to vote by secret ballot in an election conducted by federal officials. It is not the College’s place to preemptively substitute its judgment for that of individual employees, nor would be it be appropriate for the College to waive our employees’ right to make their own decision and cast their own vote. There may be a diversity of opinions on this matter. Some non-tenure track faculty members already have said they were not consulted and do not support the filing of this petition. We encourage those who will be voting to share their views with their peers and to consider all relevant information before making a final decision. Throughout this process, it is my hope that we will be guided by the tradition of open dialogue, respectful treatment, and thoughtful consideration of alternative perspectives. That is a hallmark of our community.

If the union is certified as the employees’ representative, Skidmore will, of course, work constructively and bargain in good faith, just as we do with the six other employee unions on campus, with which we have good working relationships. 

Thank you for your dedicated service to and support for our students and the entire Skidmore community.

Sincerely,

Marc Conner
President