Strike unites faculty, students, labor

American Association of University Professors faculty, students and labor/community supporters took to the picket line at Oakland University in Rochester, Mich., on Sept. 4. There are about 18,000 students at OU, an undergraduate and graduate university 25 miles north of Detroit.

AAUP picket line at Oakland University, Sept. 4. Pfeifer is third from the left. PHOTO: ANDRE MARTIN

The 600-member AAUP chapter began their job action on Sept. 3, the first day of classes, over the administration’s proposals of pay freezes for professors, higher medical insurance costs, an increase in the numbers of non-tenure and/or part-time faculty and on how faculty at the new medical school will fit into the bargaining unit. A main sticking point in contract negotiations, which have been ongoing since May, is the administration’s intent to strip the AAUP of its rights to faculty governance. This would mean the union would no longer have any contractually binding input into the curriculum, how classes are taught or other educational matters, setting a grave precedent if accepted by the union.

The AAUP’s picket lines were solid the first two days of the job action, with all entrances to the university covered by faculty, students and supporters taking shifts throughout the day. The university cancelled morning classes on the first day of the job action. The union is receiving strong support from students at OU and elsewhere as well as from other labor unions and the community.

The Teamsters, according to OU AAUP President Joel Russell, have refused to cross the picket line to deliver products to the university. A Sept. 3 rally brought out a diverse, multinational crowd with strong support from students, many hoisting signs reading, “Students Support Our Professors” and “Higher Education Not Higher Profits.” After the rally a loud crowd of hundreds marched and chanted around the administration building.

Anger across the OU campus is high particularly due to the administration’s admission of making $14 million in profit last year and the university president receiving a $100,000 pay raise last year increasing his salary to $350,000! Students are especially incensed by the fact that their tuition increased 9 percent this year. Negotiations between the AAUP and the OU administration are ongoing. If the administration doesn’t come to its senses, the job action will continue the morning of Sept. 8. Supporters can send solidarity messages to the OU’s AAUP President Joel Russell at [email protected] or call 248-370-2005.

Pfeifer is a staff organizer with the Union of Part-Time Faculty-AFT at Wayne State University in Detroit.