Advocate Online

On the Road
with Mark Smith

This April, NEA leaders and staff participated in record numbers at the 34th Annual Conference of the Hunter College-based National Center for the Study of Collective Bargaining in Higher Education and the Professions, a gathering of union leaders, employer representatives, and others who recognize that collective bargaining is good social policy.

NEA’s National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) President Kathy Sproles, speaking at the opening plenary session, outlined NEA’s efforts in “the struggle for resources” (this year’s conference theme). She noted modest gains for higher education at the state level, but continuing shortfalls in federal funding for both students and institutions.

Vivian Zimmerman and Bryan Dunston, president and vice president of Prairie State College Adjunct Instructors United, IEA/NEA, discussed how their union achieved its first contract, which includes three 6-percent salary increases over the next three years, emphasizing that the unity of the fa-culty and cooperation from the administration helped the process along.

Leslie Richards, NEA board member and president of the University of the District of Columbia Faculty Association, highlighted the struggle to secure research dollars at her institution, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). She stressed the need for national unions to heed the voice of their minority members, including faculty of color.

Corina Soto, secretary of California’s Community College Association  and a counselor and professor at Southwestern College, talked about the critical role community colleges play in educating minority students and the need for additional resources for minority-serving institutions.

— Mark Smith coordinates NEA higher ed activities