Wright State University 2019 faculty strike

The Wright State University 2019 faculty strike was a strike organized by the Wright State chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) in response to employment conditions imposed by the university. The strike began on January 22, 2019, after nearly two years of failed contract negotiations between the AAUP and the Wright State University administration. The strike ended on February 10, 2019. At a length of twenty days, it was one of the longest faculty strikes in the history of U.S. higher education. University President Cheryl B. Schrader received widespread criticism for her handling of the strike and stepped down from her position as a result.

Strike

On January 22, 2019, following almost two years of failed contract negotiations and unexpected employment conditions imposed by the administration, the Wright State chapter of the American Association of University Professors began a strike that would ultimately become the second-longest public university strike in U.S. history.[1] Most of the 560 unionized faculty participated in the strike. Striking faculty and other supporters picketed entrances to the university. Protesters chanted for resumed negotiations, and for Schrader "to go."[2] The strike received national attention,[3][4][5] and the faculty union garnered widespread support from other universities, alumni, and lawmakers.[6][7] Many letters of support were addressed to Schrader personally. Schrader and her administration ultimately received much criticism for how the stike was handled, especially after the faculty union ended up getting many of their demands.

Schrader had remained publicly optimistic in the face of the strike, downplaying the liklihood of the strike and its potential impact on the university.[8] She gave the assurance that "classes will continue" during the strike, with the caveat that some might be "consolidated." [9] When the strike began, Schrader kept the university running, instructing students to "go to class,"[10] even as an online petition called for her resignation.[11] Schrader reportedly took over teaching two courses herself.[12] Despite such efforts made by the university, there were widespread reports from students that their classes had no instructors, or that "covered" classes provided minimal or inadequate instruction. [3][2][13][14]

The effect of the strike on the students was apparently profound, as reflected in social media posts.[15] Many students expressed frustration about being "caught in the middle" between the striking faculty and the administration. Some students said they felt betrayed by the university;[3] others expressed concern about the effect the strike was having on the reputation of the institution and how it would affect the value of their degree.[16] One student said students were being "bombarded with information".[17] Messages to students were later described as "confusing and sometimes intimidating."[18] A number of students joined the picket lines alongside the faculty,[19] although they were reportedly discouraged from doing so by threats against their financial aid.[20] Near the end of the strike, the AAUP chapter president said between 75 and 250 students picketing with the striking faculty every day.[21] There were also independent protests by students. Two separate student protests were held outside Schrader's office.[19] The second, which occurred on day 16 of the strike, was a round-the-clock "sit-in" by some 30 students. The students had a list of demands, which included tuition reimbursement for course time lost. The demonstration ended after 42 hours, when Schrader agreed to meet with the students.[22][23]

Throughout the strike, Schrader and the administration continued to publicly downplay the impact it was having on the university, maintaining that 80 percent of classes were covered.[24] A February 6 statement added that the number was "climbing" as more union faculty returned to the classroom.[25] The faculty union disputed this, noting all the problems that they're having just running basic classes.”[23] Some university statements did indeed seem inconsistent with university actions. On the third day of the strike, Schrader stated the university was "open and operating largely without issue,"[26] in spite of the widespread student complaints. That same day her administration filed a complaint with the Ohio State Employee Relations Board (SERB) asking that the strike be declared illegal.[27][note 1] When the board ruled that the strike could continue, she stated that the union's actions were "having a significant toll."[24]

As the strike entered its third week, the true impact of the strike became more evident. The university advertized nationally for "long term" adjunct faculty in more than 80 fields,[23] apparently to replace striking faculty. The school also began cancelling some "specialized" courses,[29] which affected advanced students near graduation.[30] It was reported that approximately 3,500 students had been affected by cancelled classes.[30] While the university offered advising sessions to affected students,[30] the faculty union asked Ohio Governor Mike DeWine to intervene, citing a belief that the administration was "losing touch with reality."[31] The faculty union became increasingly vocal in their accusations of "union busting."[21]

Deal to End the Strike

With pressure mounting to end the strike, and no deal in sight, a federal negotiator was brought in. On Sunday February 10, day 20 of the strike, after a long weekend of negotiating, the faculty union and the administration negotiators reached a tentative agreement to end the strike.[32] The faculty returned to work on Monday February 11.[33] "Both parties made substantial concessions to help move the university forward together," Schrader said.[32] The faculty union admitted it made some "serious financial concessions," such as agreeing to no pay raises until 2021, but kept protections on job security, workload, merit pay, and perhaps most significantly, the right to bargain over health care.[32] On the whole, the faculty union hailed the agreement[18] and considered the strike a success.[34]

Notes
  1. The complaint asserted that the faculty union was sabotaging the university by removing course materials from the university web system, and that individual union faculty had misled the administration when asked if they intended to strike. SERB rejected both. The faculty union had filed an earlier complaint that merely asking the faculty if they intended to strike was illegal.[28]

References
  1. Rhodes, Dawn (May 28, 2019). "'Because we know that strikes work': College unions leverage publicity in tough contract battles". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  2. Filby, Max (January 23, 2019). "Wright State faculty strike starts, causes classroom confusion". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved September 3, 2019. Protesters chanted for contract negotiations to restart while others chanted for WSU president Cheryl Schrader “to go.”
  3. Pettit, Emma (January 22, 2019). "'Talking Is Over': Hundreds of Professors Strike at Wright State U." Chronicle of Higher Education. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
  4. "Hundreds of Teachers on Strike at Ohio's Wright State". US News & World Report. January 22, 2019. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  5. "Wright State Faculty Strike Drags On Into Its 3rd Week". National Public Radio Morning Edition. February 7, 2019. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  6. "Support for AAUP-WSU". AAPU-WSU.
  7. Parker, Megan (February 6, 2019). "UA, KSU Faculty Hold Solidarity Picket Line to Support WSU Strike". The Buchtelite (University of Akron Student Newspaper). Retrieved October 3, 2019.
  8. Filby, max; Wilson, Richard (January 14, 2019). "WSU faculty, administration, locked in stalemate as strike draws closer". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved September 5, 2019. At this point, the decision as to whether or not the union and administration will reconvene negotiations is up to Schrader, said Noeleen McIlvenna, a WSU history professor and contract administration officer for the union.
  9. Filby, Max (January 20, 2019). "No deal in sight as strike date nears for Wright State". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved January 20, 2019.
  10. Filby, Max (January 21, 2019). "WSU president tells students to go to class as union prepares to strike". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
  11. Warwick, Gabi; Aragon, Rachel (January 21, 2019). "Online petition calls for the resignation of WSU President ahead of planned faculty strike". Dayton 24/7. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  12. Filby, Max (January 27, 2019). "Pressure mounting on Wright State faculty, administration to end strike". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
  13. Filby, Max (January 22, 2019). "Some WSU students claim classes were not covered during strike today". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved October 7, 2019. 'Having someone stand outside the door just to have us write our names does not count as covering a class,' Evelyn Belcher, an undergraduate in the WSU College of Liberal Arts posted in the Facebook group.
  14. Rife, Adam (January 23, 2019). "WSU students say many classes did not have instructors on Day 1 of faculty strike". WDTN. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  15. Laissle, April (February 6, 2019). "Wright State Students Divided, Frustrated As Faculty Strike Enters Third Week". Cincinnati Public Radio. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
  16. Bogart, Devero (January 10, 2019). "Wright State students fear impact of union faculty strike". WDTN. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
  17. Buechele, James (February 8, 2019). "Wright State senior is daughter of striking faculty member". WHIO. Retrieved September 22, 2019. She said students are being bombarded with information from the university. 'We’re trying to figure out what to believe, who to believe, who to trust and it’s very frustrating for us. We know our professors are there for us,' she said.
  18. Bachman, Megan (February 21, 2019). "Wright State strike ends— Faculty union hails agreement". Yellow Spring News. Retrieved October 3, 2019. For one, faculty have spoken out about the confusing and sometimes intimidating messages to students.
  19. Filby, Max (January 24, 2019). "Wright State students protest in support of faculty on strike". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
  20. Vickers, Whitney (January 22, 2019). "Some WSU faculty, students on strike". Xenia Daily Gazette. Retrieved October 2, 2019. Students said they have received messages from the university saying that if they participate in the protest, they would experience a negative impact to their financial aid. Students also said there have been “sweepers” going inside classrooms taking mandatory attendance to ensure they’re in class.
  21. Quinlan, Casey (February 8, 2019). "Teacher strikes show no signs of stopping as Wright State faculty picket for 18th straight day". Think Progress. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  22. "Wright State students continue sit-in outside president's office into second day". WHIO. February 6, 2019. Retrieved September 26, 2019.
  23. Pettit, Emma (February 5, 2019). "As Faculty Strike Wears On, Wright State Seeks 'Long Term' Adjuncts in More Than 80 Fields". Chronicle of Higher Education. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
  24. Filby, Max (January 27, 2019). "State board rules Wright State faculty strike can continue". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  25. Rife, Adam (February 7, 2019). "WSU students protest overnight as faculty union strike continues". WDTN 2 News. Retrieved September 3, 2019. In a statement Wednesday, the university maintains 80 percent of classes are covered, adding in part: "This number is climbing as more union faculty return to the classroom, temporary instructors commit to staying, and new faculty join the university."
  26. Filby, Max (January 24, 2019). "Wright State faculty strike: What to know on Day 3". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
  27. Bush, John. "Wright State wants state to declare faculty strike unlawful". Dayton Business Journal. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
  28. Moore, Rhonda (January 10, 2019). "Email sparks controversy as Wright State faculty considers going on strike". WKEF/WRGT. Retrieved September 29, 2019.
  29. Mador, Jess (February 6, 2019). "Gov. Mike DeWine's Administration "Monitoring" Wright State Faculty Strike". WYSO. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
  30. Eskow, Kristen (February 8, 2019). "WSU students share mixed feelings after meeting with advisors". WDTN. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  31. Filby, Max (February 8, 2019). "Wright State offering students options for classes canceled by strike". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
  32. Pettit, Emma (February 11, 2019). "'Now Comes the Hard Part': 20-Day Strike at Wright State Has Ended". Chronicle of Higher Education. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  33. Filby, Max (February 12, 2019). "Wright State looks to move on from longest faculty strike in Ohio's history". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved Sep 3, 2019.
  34. Flaherty, Colleen (February 13, 2019). "'Standing Up for What's Right'". Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
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