Negotiations Continue Among AFO, College
Joshua Intemann
Issue date: 10/16/08 Section: Campus News
The Adjunct Faculty Organization (AFO), a union that represents the adjunct faculty members at HFCC, is currently in negotiations with the College's administration. In 2007, the adjunct faculty members organized a pledge drive towards unionization. After an overwhelming support, the AFO became a certified union with a membership vote of 334 to 41, and have been working since to promote itself within the college community as well as working with the College on negations for a new contract for its members.
The negotiations for the new contract has been taking place over the last couple of months and is continuing between the College's and AFO's bargaining committees-a committee with members from each side who are chosen to represent its respective organization. The process usually takes place over several meetings and can be a long, complicated process in order to negotiate a contract that is beneficial to all. After the bargaining process, an agreement is reached by both sides and a contract is signed and put into place.
Since the College and the AFO are in the process of contract negotiations, either side is unable to comment on any specifics for legality reasons; although, both parties have expressed a positive outlook on the negotiations.
The College's administration feels that adjunct faculty is important to the College. "Adjunct instructors play an important role in the academic life of Henry Ford Community College, Dr. Gail Mee, President of HFCC, expresses. "They enrich the student experience and we recognize that they are vital to the continued success of our college."
Interim AFO President, Mary Beck, is also hopeful that the negotiations will go well for both the College and the adjuncts. "We hope that during the negotiations we can work with the school to accomplish a contract that is fitting to the needs of the adjuncts," says Beck.
This new contract will address many of the issues that the AFO feels are important. The contract will also make sure that the college is able to maintain its excellent relationship with the adjunct faculty. This is the first time the adjunct faculty had a union representation and are able to use its representation to negotiate a contract. Even though the College and the AFO have concerns and issues that they want to address, they are both looking out for what is best for HFCC.
The negotiations for the new contract has been taking place over the last couple of months and is continuing between the College's and AFO's bargaining committees-a committee with members from each side who are chosen to represent its respective organization. The process usually takes place over several meetings and can be a long, complicated process in order to negotiate a contract that is beneficial to all. After the bargaining process, an agreement is reached by both sides and a contract is signed and put into place.
Since the College and the AFO are in the process of contract negotiations, either side is unable to comment on any specifics for legality reasons; although, both parties have expressed a positive outlook on the negotiations.
The College's administration feels that adjunct faculty is important to the College. "Adjunct instructors play an important role in the academic life of Henry Ford Community College, Dr. Gail Mee, President of HFCC, expresses. "They enrich the student experience and we recognize that they are vital to the continued success of our college."
Interim AFO President, Mary Beck, is also hopeful that the negotiations will go well for both the College and the adjuncts. "We hope that during the negotiations we can work with the school to accomplish a contract that is fitting to the needs of the adjuncts," says Beck.
This new contract will address many of the issues that the AFO feels are important. The contract will also make sure that the college is able to maintain its excellent relationship with the adjunct faculty. This is the first time the adjunct faculty had a union representation and are able to use its representation to negotiate a contract. Even though the College and the AFO have concerns and issues that they want to address, they are both looking out for what is best for HFCC.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
Kelly
posted 2/09/09 @ 12:49 PM EST
I'm concerned with the current "quality" of teaching staff.
Offering contracts to staff because they are part of a "Union"? What about offering contracts to instructors that excel?
Does this worry anyone else?
I think the world needs more people like "Michelle Rhee" and less unions. (Continued…)
Rusty
Rusty
posted 5/07/09 @ 9:02 AM EST
Great! Another Union. Hopefully, they won't drag HFCC like they did the Big 3.
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posted 12/08/09 @ 10:06 AM EST
I think that current negotiations with the College's administration will be successful for the both sides.
Detroit Movers
posted 12/29/09 @ 2:06 PM EST
Hopefully the negotiations will prove to be successful and beneficial for both sides, and I really hope that the union will not negatively affect the quality of teaching. (Continued…)
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