After 15 months of negotiations with New York University (NYU), which faces allegations of labor law violations, over 900 professors from Contract Faculty United – United Auto Workers (CFU-UAW) have overwhelmingly voted, with a 90% majority, to authorize a strike.
NYU’s administrators, known for their substantial salaries, have increasingly exerted control over the university while marginalizing its teaching staff. This includes the hiring of part-time adjuncts and the creation of a secondary tier of full-time contract faculty. These faculty members often share the responsibilities of tenured staff but without similar compensation or job security. Despite some having taught for decades, they must reapply for their positions every few years due to renewable contracts. Unlike other universities, NYU has seen a tenfold increase in contract faculty over two decades, now making up half of its full-time teaching staff.
The formation of CFU-UAW was driven by the need for improved job security and compensation, as well as a demand for academic freedom, which has been compromised under NYU President Linda Mills’s leadership. The union also seeks negotiation on AI and intellectual property protections, which the administration has resisted.
Arts faculty are prominently represented within CFU-UAW, with significant involvement from NYU’s Steinhardt School, Tisch School of the Arts, and the Expository Writing Program. Artists have historically contributed to NYU’s reputation, and their current fight for a first contract is seen as crucial for the university’s future.
NYU administrators have delayed negotiations, with a deadline of March 23 to reach a fair agreement and prevent a strike. The common sentiment among CFU-UAW members is that their struggle represents a broader fight for the NYU community’s welfare.
