American Association of University Professors – American Federation of Teachers (AAUP-AFT) representing more than 4,800 full-time faculty and graduate employees took to the picket line at Rutgers University on April 10th. The strike comes after months of negotiations between three unions and the university failed leading to all three unions voting to strike.
The AAUP-AFT union has rightfully cited numerous issues that have led to their decision to strike, including inadequate pay, healthcare benefits, and job security. Despite the essential work that these employees carry out every day, they have not received the compensation they deserve. The university has also failed to prioritize the health and safety of its employees during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, causing further frustration and concern.
The strike is a necessary action to ensure that the voices of the AAUP-AFT union are heard and their demands are met. The university must recognize the vital role that its employees play and provide them with the respect, compensation, and job security that they deserve, in fact, as of December 2021, Rutgers University had an endowment of $1.98 billion meaning they have the means to meet the reasonable demands of the union workers.
The strike has gained widespread support, with many students, faculty members, and community leaders recognizing the importance of the union’s demands. It is time for Rutgers University to prioritize its employees and work towards a fair agreement that benefits everyone involved.
The situation at Rutgers is a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle for fair compensation and job security in universities across the country. The AAUP-AFT union deserves the support of all those who recognize the value of higher education and the essential work of its employees. Labor United will continue to monitor the situation as it develops but we hope that this will lead to further union militarization.
If you would like to show your support for the strike, picket signups are available at the link here.
Picket Line Info:
New Brunswick
Picket shifts: Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. and 1 p.m.–5 p.m.
- College Ave: 43 College Ave., outside Scott Hall (smaller pickets may be set up in front of Winants, Academic Building, and SCI)
- Civic Square Building: Mason Gross/Bloustein, 33 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick
- Cook/Douglass: corner of George Street and Chapel Drive/Nichol Road
- Livingston: Livingston Student Center, 84 Joyce Kilmer Ave., Piscataway
- Busch: outside Campus Center, 604 Bartholomew Rd., Piscataway, bus stop side
- Main large rally site: Voorhees Mall, in back of Scott Hall
Newark
Hourly shifts: Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Plaza in front of Robeson Campus Center, 350 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
- Plaza outside Law School, between University Avenue and Washington Street
Camden
Picket shifts: Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. and 1 p.m.–5 p.m.
- Outside Campus Center