By Jalen Garrison
UNIVERSITY CENTER – On Nov. 11, the Delta College Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve the ratification of the adjunct teacher’s union bargaining agreement during the board’s monthly meeting.
“Adjunct Pioneers United” is the union representing adjunct professors on campus. This moment has been a long time coming for the union, which began the unionization process in 2022
The meeting was attended by the entire Board of Trustees, a small group of faculty and some administration. None of the members of Adjunct Pioneers United were present at the meeting. However, College President Michael Gavin was in attendance and voted to approve the ratifications of the bargaining agreement.
The president’s comments
“The main thing we wanted to achieve through (ratifying the contract) was good working relationships with all adjuncts; to ensure they were compensated at the level that we thought was… fair.”
When asked if he thought the current compensation for adjunct faculty is fair, the president said, “I think it’s fair given what the market is.”
During the meeting, the Board of Trustees along with President Gavin also voted unanimously to approve a raise for all adjunct faculty regardless of union membership.
“So, we gave all adjunct teachers, whether you’re union or not, a raise. So really, the question for me is about ensuring a fair market rate for teachers across our region,” President Gavin said. “I’m not sure that there was much change in terms of the working conditions as a result of the unionization.”
Co-President of Adjunct Pioneers United Christina Szilagyi commented before the meeting regarding the contract ratification
“We weren’t being recognized. We didn’t have a voice in governance, how our affairs were handled,” Szilagyi said. “I’m a believer that everyone should have a union. This country was built by unionized labor, and it will benefit everyone directly if labor has a voice. Wages increase, and when that happens you have a consumer base that can spend. From an economic aspect it’s better for everyone to have a union.”
What is an adjunct professor?
In higher education, there are generally 4 different levels of professorship: Adjunct, full-time, tenure track, and tenured.
Adjunct positions offer professors the least job security, the lowest salary, and fewest accommodations. As one climbs the ladder from adjunct, all the way to tenured, the professor is offered more freedom in how, and what they teach, typically commands a higher salary, and is often afforded more concessions.
An adjunct professor is an educator who is hired by a higher education institution to teach on a class-by-class basis. An adjunct contract only guarantees work for each class they teach, and as such offers minimal job security for the professor as opposed to other education jobs.
Historically, adjunct positions have been filled by retirees, those entering the field who need experience, or people seeking part-time work as educators.
In the last 20 years adjunct teaching has skyrocketed in prevalence, with the vast majority of higher education jobs across the United States being performed by adjunct professors. Oftentimes these professors are made to work on short notice, with many teachers sharing how they’ve been chosen to teach a semester long class with only a week to prepare, many professors who are stuck teaching adjunct classes are forced to work at multiple institutions across their state, just to make a living salary.
Some may not recognize the effect unionizing the adjunct professors will have on campus life. However, the ratification of the union contract is another step towards a more equitable, honest, and democratic working environment for professors here at Delta. When educators are treated better, they often teach better.
