It was my privilege in July to represent PATFA (AFT Local #4593) at the 2014 American Federation of Teachers convention in Los Angeles. The experience proved to be an education in labor politics and a revelation to me of the passion of so many AFT members, whose ranks include many working and retired health and education professionals in varied fields. While much of what I saw opened my eyes to their personal dedication, I spent much of my time focusing on understanding the way the union is currently dealing with issues regarding Higher Education, which, frankly, has not been a high priority. However, signs pointed to an increased awareness that the union must begin to more seriously address issues facing part-time faculty across the nation.
Proof of this new awareness was revealed in President Randi Weingarten’s opening address, which devoted significant time to the problems of contingency labor. And, while much of the five-day convention was dedicated to approving amendments and resolutions to the Constitution and By-Laws, there was never any doubt that Weingarten’s Progressive Caucus Slate would emerge dominant. Along the way I sought out other adjunct faculty to share our diverse perspectives on the challenges ahead of us, including how we make ourselves more widely known among our union ranks.
During the first day I attended a seminar entitled “Who Is Teaching College Today?” which, unfortunately, was attended by very few members and actually offered little new information. I also attended the AFT Human Rights Luncheon, which, in addition to the earlier speech of the Rev. William Barber accepting the NAACP Bayard Rustin Award, provided ample inspiration and marked the high point of my convention attendance.
A Higher Ed Divisional Meeting provided some insight into AFT’s priorities in this area: student debt, college affordability, and the privatization of public education, all compelling issues facing the union today. Those of us who came together in support of adjunct issues, though the time allotted for the organizational meeting of an Adjunct/Contingent Faculty Caucus remained ridiculously short, were left with the promise that this new caucus would move forward over the next two years to better establish ourselves as a power base within the union.
In closing, I am happy to report that PATFA’s issues and those of many locals throughout the nation are increasingly in the forefront of AFT’s agenda. This fact, however, is tempered by the realization that other issues dominate the union’s concerns and that progress in our fight will require continued strenuous efforts to bring us to the attention of the union, as well as, to the University of Maine System administration.
In solidarity, James Seymour, PATFA vice president