Part-time faculty at The New School went on an indefinite strike on Wednesday morning after months of bargaining with the university over a new contract. The union ACT-UAW Local 7902, which represents adjunct faculty at The New School, authorized a strike after the expiration of the current contract at midnight on Nov. 13. The union called for a full work stoppage starting Wednesday morning. Most academic operations at The New School were paused as students and faculty joined the picket line in solidarity with the union.
Check this page for developments related to the strike.
Sunday, December 11
Part-time faculty strike ends as The New School and union leaders reach tentative agreement; Students continue occupation of University Center
According to an email the union sent to its members, both parties tentatively agreed on a contract that includes substantial raises, pay for work outside of the classroom, improved healthcare access, job security, paid family leave and more.
In a joint statement, the university and the union said that the contract will now go to the part-time faculty for a ratification vote.
Reporting By Emma Donelly-Higgins
Friday, December 9
Students occupy the University Center for a second day
This is the state of The New School as the 24th day of the part-time faculty strike comes to a close. While students and faculty have been picketing most days outside of the University Center in hopes of negotiating a fairer contract with the university, a group of students chose to occupy the building itself yesterday afternoon following the administration’s decision to withhold wages from striking employees.
Reporting by Grace Coleman and Caroline McKenzie
Part-time faculty union files complaint with National Labor Relations Board
The New School part-time faculty union has filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board in response to the university asking employees to fill out weekly surveys attesting to having performed work duties, according to the union.
Reporting by Emma Donelly-Higgins
Thursday, December 8
Students occupy The New School University Center
Students have occupied The New School’s University Center at 63 Fifth Ave. following the university’s decision to withhold pay to all striking employees.
Reporting by Caroline McKenzie
Reporting and video by Tara Lamorgese, Karen Arrobo
Thursday, December 8
An email from New School President shares plans to stop paying wages to faculty who are striking
Today marks the 22nd day of the part-time faculty union strike at The New School as negotiations continue between ACT-UAW Local 7902 and the university.
Yesterday, the office of President Dwight A. McBride sent an email to The New School community detailing an update on the negotiations with the union. Both bargaining teams for the union and the university met on Monday until the early hours of Tuesday morning. They are scheduled to meet again today at 5 p.m.
The email also stated that, as of today, the university will “stop paying wages and premiums for health care benefits for employees who are striking.”
The union has emphasized that they will be on strike until they reach a fair deal with the university. Students remain out of the classroom for the fourth week.
Reporting by Max Sheppard
Monday, December 5
Leaked email suggests The New School’s plan to hire ‘temporary progress reviewers’ to grade students during strike
Student Faculty Solidarity, a student-led workers’ rights group, sent an email to The New School students on Saturday asking for input regarding a list of demands being developed to ensure that students who participated in strike action alongside the part-time faculty union received fair treatment after the strike had come to a close. Attached was the leaked internal email, supposedly sent the day before. It is unknown who leaked it.
According to the email, these would be “supplemental graders”; educators outside of the school who would determine students’ grades in each of their courses for the end of the term. These supplemental graders would meet with each student once, evaluate the work they have completed from a given course’s syllabus and assign each student an alternative grade for each class: good progress, sufficient progress, insufficient progress, or unsatisfactory/no submission.
Reporting by Chris Adams
Friday, December 2
Mediator joins the table as bargaining resumes between The New School and its part-time faculty
A mediator joined the table for the first time yesterday as collective bargaining between The New School and its part-time faculty union resumed.
Representatives from the ACT-UAW Local 7902 union and the university are now negotiating with the help of Bill Domini, a mediator from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, the university and the union confirmed in emails to The New School Free Press.
Reporting by Emma Donelly-Higgins
Monday, November 28
Amazon Labor Union President Chris Smalls attends New School Picket
On Monday, Amazon Labor Union President Chris Smalls joined the picket line in front of The New School University Center at 63 Fifth Ave.
Reporting by Cassandra Brey
Sunday, November 27
Voices from the picket line
As the second week of the strike came to a close for the Thanksgiving break, and members of the community headed home to rest and toil over an uncertain future, the Free Press compiled a selection of quotes to highlight the thoughts, opinions, hopes, and fears of those demonstrating.
Reporting by Chris Adams
Wednesday, November 22
Key takeaways about the part-time faculty strike from the Student Caucus
New School part-time faculty have entered the 11th day of their teaching strike. The ACT-UAW Local 7902 union, which represents the university’s adjunct professors and some other staff, are striking to receive an equitable contract that includes reliable healthcare, increased job security, pay outside of the classroom and more. Members of Student Faculty Solidarity and Communiversity NYC answered student questions surrounding grades, tuition and the picket line on the Zoom.
Reporting by Tara Lamorgese
State Senator Jessica Ramos joins picket
New York State Senator Jessica Ramos joined the picket line in front of the New School University Center in support of part-time faculty this morning.
Reporting by Cassandra Brey
Monday, November 21
Important update on part-time faculty contract negotiations
The New School has provided the part-time faculty union with a final offer on compensation, healthcare, job security and other issues pertaining to their contract. The university’s actions during Sunday’s negotiations and their proposed offer have been widely panned by the union and other members of the community.
Reporting by Chris Adams
Sunday, November 20
Part-time faculty strike continues, picketing will resume tomorrow
Negotiations continue as part-time faculty seek a more fair contract. Picketing was paused today and will resume tomorrow in front of the University Center at 63 Fifth Ave. from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Reporting by Max Sheppard
Friday, November 18
Numerous events canceled across The New School community in response to ongoing strike
Today marks the third day of strikes as part-time faculty seek a more fair contract.
Since Wednesday, most classes have been canceled and events hosted by groups across the school have been canceled or postponed.
Yesterday evening, Tokumbo Shobowale, executive vice president for Business and Operations at The New School, sent an email to the community.
“The university and Local 7902 union bargaining teams came to the table once again today and made important progress,” the email states. “We reached a tentative agreement on 4 articles- bringing us that much closer to a renewed contract that works for everyone. We look forward to continuing the momentum during tomorrow’s bargaining session.”
Reporting by Max Sheppard
Thursday, November 17
Voices from the picket line
The New School Free Press reporters Tara Lamorgese and Karen Arrobo interview students and faculty on the picket line in front of Eugene Lang’s W 12th Street building.
Reporting and video by Tara Lamorgese, Karen Arrobo
Resources for students during the strike
To prevent crossing the picket line, part-time faculty and those who stand in solidarity with them are urged to avoid university buildings and classrooms amidst the ongoing strike.
Meanwhile, some students are still working on completing projects on their own and collaborating during these unique times.
The New School Free Press has compiled a list of resources that may be beneficial under these circumstances, including study areas, community spaces and free food.
Reporting by Max Sheppard
Strike continues into day two
Today marks the second day of the part-time faculty strike at The New School following months of negotiation with the university.
Full-time faculty, students and other groups stood in solidarity with part-time faculty and began picketing alongside them in front of the University Center at 63 Fifth Ave, as early as 8 a.m. yesterday and will continue to do so today.
Reporting by Max Sheppard
Wednesday, November 16
Voices from the picket line
The New School Free Press visited the University Center on the first day of the part-time faculty strike to find out why New School students were protesting in solidarity.
Reporting and video by Grace Coleman and Caroline McKenzie
Edited by Caroline McKenzie and Tiana McGee