Fair Contract Now: Kean Faculty takes stand against state government

By Erin McGuinness | Published by December 7, 2019

Passing drivers honked horns in support as members of the Kean Federation of Teachers picketed across Morris Ave on Nov. 20

Public colleges throughout the state took part in a “Day of Action” to urge the state of NJ to push forward contracts that outline fair pay increases for tenured faculty, job security for lecturers and fair pay for adjunct professors. Full-time faculty, professional staff, and librarians share a contract that is negotiated between the state of NJ and the statewide union, the Council of New Jersey State College Locals. They have worked without a contract for over 150 days. 

“Our working conditions are student learning conditions,” read signs held in gloved hands. “Fair Contract Now.” 

The KTF had two main points for picketing, said KFT President James Castiglione. They want fair pay for employees at all levels and fair treatment for the contingent colleagues that state colleges are relying heavily on. 

Tenured faculty at the picketing stood in solidarity with their adjunct co-workers, who are subject to a different contract. Few non-tenured faculty, lecturers and adjunct employees were in attendance at the picketing as their job security is not guaranteed. 

“To be able to hire and retain a quality workforce that best serves our students’ needs; faculty and staff need to have a strong contract protecting and enhancing our working conditions, that in turn protects and enhances our student’s learning conditions,” Castiglione said.

While tenured faculty have a contract with the university ensuring their job security, a statewide contract outlines yearly pay increases and benefits. 

There are about 160 tenured professors and about 30 who are tenure-track at Kean. The university employs about one thousand adjunct professors and about 150 full-time lecturers who are not tenure-track, Castiglione said. 

In the United States, there are more full-time non-tenure track, part-time, and graduate employees teaching college courses then there are tenured and tenure-track employees, according to data collected by the American Association of University Professors. 

“Faculty on contingent appointments are typically paid only for the hours they spend in the classroom,” according to the AAUP. “While they may be excellent teachers, they are not given adequate institutional support for time spent meeting with students, evaluating student work, and class planning and preparation.” 

Donna Chiera, President of the American Federation of Teachers New Jersey and a graduate of Kean, joined in on the Morris Ave protest. AFTNJ represents all nine state colleges. 

“We want to make sure that the lowest-paid employees of these institutions get a fairer and stronger paycheck so that they can continue to live in New Jersey,” Chiera said. 

On Nov. 22, the union and state settled on a tentative four-year contract for adjunct professors that includes a pay increase per credit. 

The contract for full-time faculty, professional staff, and librarians will not be discussed further until the next negotiation scheduled for Dec 13. 

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