Unionization has been brought up as a possible solution to faculty concerns at universities across Tennessee.
The possibility of joining a union was brought up briefly at The University of Memphis Faculty Senate’s Aug. 27 meeting during a report by David Wray, professor and vice-chairman of the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) Faculty Sub-Council.
According to Wray, the unionization idea mentioned at the TBR Sub-Council meeting was one item among several discussed, and no details were mentioned about a specific union or particular TBR institution.
While the possibility of unionization is still in the most preliminary discussion stages, the motive behind university faculty senates in Tennessee looking into union options have been brewing for some time, according to Wray.
The TBR document, “Defining our Future,” the blueprint for monetary cutback in Tennessee’s universities, is an area of concern for faculty, Wray said.
“It certainly is true that “Defining our Future” calls for faculty cuts and no administration cuts, and the administrations at all the TBR schools helped draft that,” Wray said. “That is a sore spot for a lot of faculty.”
According to Wray, several U of M faculty members have emailed him, excited about the prospect of a union.
U of M Faculty Senate member Cynthia Mohr, associate professor in the Department of Art, said she is not opposed to further exploring the option of unionizing.
“I think any option is worth exploring to get us a decent pay rate,” Mohr said.
The average salary of faculty in four-year institutions in Tennessee is significantly lower than the national average.
According to Mohr, a union would be most useful to have a voice with state government and TBR.
“It might help us to have a voice, because I don’t think we do now,” Mohr said.
“I think our particular administration is very in tune with faculty needs,” Mohr said, adding that as helpful as they are, there is only so much they can do to influence TBR.
The Sept. 4 faculty approval of unionization at LeMoyne-Owen College was reportedly caused by years of weak communication between faculty and administration.
Donna Cotner, coordinator of the department of higher education for the Tennessee Education Association (TEA), said that a few faculty members from the University of Memphis already are members of TEA, the largest education union in Tennessee.
“Any time you are concerned about job security, then certainly you need to be part of an organization that is an advocate for such concerns,” Cotner said.
However, according to Cotner, the TEA has not been contacted by any faculty interested in information about a large group unionizing with TEA.
