UNM union would help adjuncts
As a proud member of my union during my entire teaching career, as well as an alumna three times over of the University of New Mexico, naturally I support faculty and other teaching staff’s efforts to form a union at each UNM branch.
I’m not alone — hundreds of faculty throughout the UNM system who are calling for a union for their workplace are in support, many of N.M.’s political leaders have added their support, students have spoken out on behalf of their professors and faculty members, and so have many in the community.
Despite this, and unfortunately, some UNM regents have attempted to thwart this effort by discouraging faculty members from voting “yes” and exercising their right to form a union. Those who would fight against the organized voice of faculty and staff are as out of step with their employees as they are with citizens across the nation. Nationally, community support for unions is at its highest point in a generation, increasing 16.5% across all political ideologies over the past decade.
In the K-12 setting, we often say “teaching conditions are learning conditions.” I can say with confidence no other single organization outside of a union has the ability to positively impact student learning conditions on the scale and with the depth than a union of educators. As a union educator, I have the freedom and protection to be able to stand up for my students, push for academic freedom and greater experimentation in the classroom, and advocate for equitable prioritization of funding for my students. I am confident the faculty at UNM’s five branches can and will do the same for their students.
More and more universities prefer to hire “less expensive” adjunct faculty instead of full-time professors. Shockingly, these adjuncts are the new working poor, with over 25% eligible for public assistance, and are overburdened with having to teach too many courses for very little compensation. This is a trend a union including adjunct and associate faculty could help counter by emphasizing quality education for students and fair working conditions for professors.
UNM leadership should exemplify the ideals a university degree has always stood for — education as the great equalizer. Those dedicated to educating others, including regents, should stand for what is right and just, not for the continuation of a for-profit mindset that disadvantages most while elevating a few.
I am certainly supportive of UNM faculty choosing to form a union and hope communities surrounding each branch campus support the efforts as well. Our students, higher education institutions and communities will be better for it.