L.A. Adjuncts are Uniting to Raise Standards

Adjuncts around L.A. – like adjuncts everywhere – know that work doesn’t stop at the classroom door, but pay and benefits often do. Adjuncts at La Verne University and Loyola Marymount University believe that by forming a union with SEIU, we can build a strong voice to raise professional standards and improve the quality of education.

Adjunct faculty at Whittier College are already leading the way to raise standards for adjunct faculty in L.A. county. They voted to form a union in Adjunct Action last December.

“Whittier College adjuncts recently voted in favor of forming a union with SEIU/Adjunct Action, and we are looking forward to bargaining a fair contract that will dignify the important work we perform. It’s an exciting time as adjuncts who have been invisible within the academic community for so long are finally being heard. We encourage our colleagues at the University of La Verne and Loyola Marymount University to join our movement.” Kate Durbin, Whittier College

Why Adjuncts are Coming Together to Build a Union:

“I love working at this university, and I appreciate LMU’s commitment to social justice. But we cannot continue to divorce ourselves from the preferential option for the marginalized. At LMU, we adjuncts are the marginalized, and we deserve to be treated with dignity. My father was a union man, and I saw the difference this made for our family. I am a self-supporting woman. I have no job security, no benefits, and no real power to voice my concerns. I am so glad that we finally have the opportunity to form a union and win improvements for ourselves and our students. There is a long history of Catholic commitment to union organization. We can celebrate our mission by reaffirming this commitment.” Cynthia Garrity-Bond, Loyola Marymount University

“I am a graduate of La Verne and have been teaching here for 31 years. I have always been committed to the university’s vision and goals to provide the highest quality education. I support a union because it will unify the adjunct faculty and provide a collective voice to express our concerns and needs.” Michael Ryan, University of La Verne

“I have been an SEIU member since 2005 as a registered nurse. I joined a union because I passionately believe that the right to be protected by contractual law is the right of every American. SEIU cares about its members. But the biggest plus from being in the union is realizing YOU are the union, all of you; by standing tall and working as a group to do the right things. Being a union member is good for your soul. I have never regretted it.” Michael Kaulback, University of La Verne

“The best way for adjuncts to be able to address the crisis in higher education is by having a voice in the governance of our institutions. The movement that adjuncts are building through Adjunct Action will both improve the lives of adjuncts and benefit the students they teach.” Lillian Taiz, President of the California Faculty Association

Learn more about the gains CFA members made in their latest contract here.