How do I find out what’s happening?

The best place for news is our web site, http://www.rideraaup.net.  Information about the progress of negotiations and preparations for a work action will be periodically e-mailed to the membership and available on the web site.  A telephone chain will be used for urgent communications. 

I would like to volunteer my services in the event of a strike.  What type of help is needed, and whom do I contact?

Bargaining unit members are expected to sign up to picket in the event of a strike. Those wishing to do more can volunteer their services as a picket shift captain or an

e-mail/phone tree representative. When necessary, the Action Committee will also be reaching out for volunteers to paint picket signs. If you have not yet responded to the online Action Committee survey or have not filled out a hard copy at an AAUP meeting, please fill out the survey available at http://www.rideraaup.net/action-committee.html. 

What work stops during a strike?

All work that you do as a bargaining-unit member: teaching, coaching, library service, tutoring, instrumental and voice lessons, choral directing, conducting reading clinics, advising individual students and student organizations, committee work, supervision of student teaching, etc.  Please note that “virtual teaching” — communicating with students online, grading or sending assignments — also must be suspended.

I am an adjunct, teaching just one course. Should I meet the class?

No. We hope that as a bargaining-unit member you will be out on the picket lines as much as your schedule permits.

What if I’m teaching online?

All work that you do as a bargaining-unit member must be suspended, including teaching of online classes. Again, please note that communicating with students online, grading, or sending assignments also must stop.

In the event of a strike, can a faculty member (adjunct or otherwise) who has signed a contract for the Fall term be held liable if s/he walks off the job and the University cannot find a replacement, leading to cancellation of his/her class?

No. You are protected by the National Labor Relations Act. According to our labor attorney, Jim Katz: “If the faculty member is covered by a collective bargaining agreement, and if terms and conditions of employment are governed by that now expired contract, an individual contract cannot override that employee's Section 7 rights under the National Labor Relations Act. That employee would not be liable if participating in a lawful strike. Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act recognizes that employees have a right to engage in concerted activities for the purpose of collective bargaining or other mutual aid or protection, and strikes are included within that. An individual contract, absent controlling no-strike language, cannot override the employee’s Section 7 rights.”

I am not tenured. Could I face retaliation for picketing or otherwise supporting the union?

No. You are protected from retaliation by federal law. According to our labor lawyer, Jim Katz: “If the object of the strike is to obtain from the employer some economic concession such as higher wages, shorter hours or better working conditions, the striking employees are called economic strikers.  They retain their status as employees and cannot be discharged or otherwise disciplined.”

If we strike, will I lose pay?

In most strikes in higher education, salaried employees do not lose annual pay if they complete their yearly workload obligation. Should you need a short-term loan during the course of the strike, you can borrow from our credit union, ABCO Public Employee Federal Credit Union; the AAUP will cover the cost of the interest.

What will happen to other benefits?

In the initial days of a strike, health benefits generally continue. Your health coverage can be stopped only if you are advised in writing and offered the opportunity to pay for it yourself. Other benefits, such as tuition remission checks, are likely to be suspended, but since they have already been issued for fall semester, it is unlikely your benefit will be affected.

Can I get into my office?

No. Since one cannot get on campus without crossing a picket line, you should plan ahead of time to remove from your office any materials you need. Back up computer files if you plan to work at home; bring home whatever you think you will need during the strike. University property should be left in the office.

What if I am responsible for the care of laboratory animals or plants?

Please notify Tim Lengle ([email protected]) so that arrangements for the care of laboratory animals or plants can be made.

What arrangements are being made for security during a strike? Will equipment in classrooms, labs and practice rooms be safe?

The administration has three paths it might try.

·  In the “Business-as-usual” ploy, it will maintain that the strike is having little effect, that education is continuing and that X percent of the faculty are meeting their classes despite the strike. In this case, classrooms and labs may be accessible to students, so you may want to take precautions. Be aware that there is a small possibility that a “scab” or administrator will be brought in to teach your course. You may wish to safeguard teaching materials and computer files in your office and lab.

· In the “We’ll-settle-this-quickly” ploy, classroom buildings will probably be locked with no pretense of education continuing.

· In the “We’re-closing-the-college” ploy, the administration will tire of feeding, housing and managing thousands of restless students and send them home. In this event, all campus buildings are likely to be quite heavily secured.

Will my e-mail service be interrupted?

The administration may disconnect internet service and block access to e-mail accounts. Though this move is unlikely, you should be aware of the possibility and figure out an alternative way to stay connected.

What do I tell students before a strike?

Tell the students that during a walkout, you will not be in class or otherwise at their service, but they should continue to follow the syllabus and keep up with assigned reading. Inform them that any work done with a substitute will not be counted upon your return. If students want further information, refer them to the AAUP Web site, http://www.rideraaup.net, which will have the latest news on the negotiation process.

Students are worried that they will lose this semester’s credits and face delayed graduation.

Almost invariably, strike settlements in higher education include an agreement to complete the current term. In extreme cases at other institutions, semesters have been completed by extending the term or lengthening individual class meetings. Our longest strike, which lasted about a week, did not affect the academic calendar.

Are students allowed to join our picket line?

Absolutely. We would welcome their support.

What happens to athletic teams?

They will have to do without the services of bargaining unit members for the duration of a strike. Some teams might continue to practice, led by team captains or administrators. Whether some intercollegiate matches are forfeited or played without coaches and athletic trainers will be up to the administration. Home games and matches would probably have to be forfeited because of the lack of athletic trainers.

I serve as a volunteer adviser to an extracurricular student activity, and we have an off-campus event planned. What do I do?

Since this is a responsibility directly related to your position as a faculty member, you should suspend your generous service in this role.

I’m scheduled to go to a conference. Should I go? Will I be reimbursed?

Go. We have no expectation that travel expenses would not be reimbursed at levels similar to those in the current contract after the settlement of a strike.

What can chairs do to support us?

Please communicate to your chair that, first and foremost, we request that s/he NOT cross the picket line, and NOT meet our classes. Ideally, the chair will resign his/her position and join us in protest. We are working for protections that benefit everyone in the classroom, including chairs.

What can I say to people who try to cross the picket line?

You can speak up, urge, plead — however you feel moved — but do not threaten. Faculty who cross our picket line are “scabs” and are undermining our ability to achieve a fair Agreement, and speaking that truth is a fine strategy. More complete picketing instructions will be provided as necessary.

Can I be arrested while picketing?

We will be picketing legally, protected by law. However, it’s possible some misguided law enforcement officials might detain you temporarily. Be assured that AAUP lawyers and bail bondsmen will be on call and able to respond immediately. 

What happens to our campus mail?

Mail will be available to pick up after a strike.

What will happen with the Promotion and Tenure schedule? 

Since there is no proposal to change the P&T clock the existing clock should be assumed to be in place. If the strike extends for a long period this would be one of the issues that would be addressed in a settlement of the strike.

Whom do I contact if I have other questions or wish to help?

If you have any questions or would like to volunteer to assist the Action Committee you may contact Bryan Spiegelberg, AAUP Vice President and Action Committee Co-chair at [email protected] or Tim Lengle, Action Committee Co-chair at [email protected].