Call to Action

Start planning for Campus Equity Week, a week of coordinated campus activities designed to educate our campus communities, the public, and policymakers, about contingent academic employment issues. Campus Equity Week (CEW), often called Fair Employment Week (FEW), will be October 22 to 28 in Canada and October 29 to November 4, 2007, in the United States and Mexico.

CEW/FEW promotes fair employment conditions, quality education, and the adoption of equitable labor policies and standards that encourage fairness and dignity for all members of the campus community. It takes issue with declining labor standards and increasing use of temporary and part-time labor for all campus work.

In addition to public education, the week of action promotes local organizing and encourages contingent faculty participation and activism. Reach out to other groups on your campus and in your community and start determining what kind of events best address your local conditions. Anyone interested in promoting fairness for contingent faculty should begin making plans to take action during that week.

This campaign is highly decentralized and flexible, reflecting what each local organization and individual feels would work best in their community. The materials on the CEW/FEW website will give you a few ideas of the kinds of activities you could organize—a rally to support local bargaining or organizing drives, a press conference, a teach-in, film showing, public forum, or presentations to local politicians . Even something as simple as setting up an information table on your campus can make a big difference in bringing your issues to the attention of your colleagues and students. Don't feel limited by what we suggest—be creative, and have fun with your events. It’s up to you, as long as you do something!

CEW/FEW, which has been held regularly since 2001, is part of a growing movement among working people from all walks of life seeking to address the inequities of contingent work.

How It Works

A national steering committee has put together materials that you can use in your planning and events. We've established a website, www.CampusEquityWeek.org, and an e-mail discussion list so organizers can share information about their plans for the week, find inspiration and support, brainstorm creative ideas, and track down other groups working in their area.

Take Action!