The Part-time Faculty Association of Maine (PATFA) represents nearly 1,900 part-time faculty members teaching within the seven universities of the University of Maine System. It is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers as Local No. 4593.
PATFA was formed in 1987. It is contractually obligated to negotiate with the University of Maine System (UMS) on behalf of part-time faculty. In other words, PATFA is the sole bargaining agent for part-time faculty. The System can negotiate with no other entity for part-time faculty issues, and PATFA must bargain with the System; PATFA cannot refuse to do so.
PATFA represents all part-time faculty members, although only those who pay dues are members. Non-members who teach part-time within the System but don’t pay dues are considered “unit members” and are represented by PATFA but have no voting rights with the Local.
In addition to bargaining over contracts, PATFA strives through its officers and campus representatives to protect members’ interests and rights. This can mean filing grievances over a host of matters, working with administrators on behalf of faculty, advising full- and part-time faculty members, and meeting together to discuss problems and formulate strategies for negotiations.
During the more than three decades that PATFA has been in existence, it has bargained for salary increases; established retirement benefits for both part-time regular and part-time temporary employees; secured health benefits; created the one-year and two-year Academic-Year Appointment (AYA) program; and protected the rights of part-time faculty members. Each contract negotiation with the System (generally every two years) requires many sessions, much time, and a great deal of work on the part of the negotiating team.