Plans from United Academics - Vermont

These plans have been provided by United Academics' Dawn Saunders

1. PRESS CONFERENCE, Monday, Oct. 31, in cooperation with the Vermont State Colleges Faculty Federation, the Community College of Vermont Faculty Federation, and the University of Vermont Student Labor Action Project, at the University of Vermont (room TBA). We are encouraging supporters to come in costume, as ghosts, hobos, "roads scholars," or scary people, to highlight how scary a part-time faculty career can be!

2. TABLING, for distribution of literature and discussions with students, staff, and faculty, Bailey Howe Library entryway, Tuesday, Nov. 1, Wednesday Nov. 2, and Thursday, Nov. 3, with participation of part-time and full-time faculty, and the Student Labor Action Project. Hot apple cider (large cups for administrators, small cups for part-time faculty!), Halloween candy, costumes also encouraged (so long as they're WARM). Also, literature and a petition in support of the part-time faculty contract.

3. FILM, "Degrees of Shame," Thursday, November 3, 7:00 pm, with a panel discussion following. We have received permission from the film's producer to show the film on public access television as well during the week.

4. INTERVIEW with President David Shiman and Chief Negotiator Michele Patenaude has been taped for public access television, and will be run throughout the week on local public access Chanel 17, and presented as streaming video on the United Academics AAUP/AFT website.

5. Buttons, stickers, and literature will be distriubted at the United Academics AAUP/AFT Fall Membership Meeting on October 26, and full-time faculty will be encouraged to sign and distribute the petition, sign up for the tabling event, and wear buttons or stickers throughout the week, as well as during upcoming mediation sessions November 10-11 for the part-time contract.

5. STEALTH AD: In cooperation with Vermont State Colleges Faculty Federation and the Community Colleges of Vermont Faculty Federation, we are planning to place ersatz employment ads in local papers that highlight the REAL conditions of employment for part-time faculty, to run a few days ahead of the Press Conference.

The part-time faculty are negotiating their first CBA, have been now for a full year, and we are at impasse and looking towards the first, much-delayed (by the Administration) mediation session November 10 and 11.

Dawn Saunders
United Academics AAUP/AFT
156 College Street,
Burlington VT 05401