Cambridge, MA – Today, unionized core faculty at Lesley University announced that they have voted by an overwhelming majority to authorize their bargaining team to call for a strike. For nearly two years, the 82 core faculty members at Lesley represented by SEIU Local 509 have been bargaining a union contract.
Faculty are fighting for fair compensation, manageable workloads, and a successorship clause that would retain their union contract in the event of an acquisition or closure. The university has faced a series of financial and structural challenges in recent years, including program cuts and layoffs. Workers emphasize their demands are particularly important given the university’s history of financial and operational mismanagement.
“We are extremely disappointed that the university has dragged out negotiations for two years, putting us in a position where we feel we have no other choice but to strike,” said Kelvin Ramirez, Associate Professor in the Division of Expressive Therapies. “The administration is over-enrolling classes, increasing our workload and compromising the quality of learning in their students’ classrooms. We have always been committed to our students and to Lesley’s mission. It’s time the university reflects that same commitment back to us by improving our working conditions.”
“Bargaining has been extremely frustrating,” said Pam Vaughn, a Temporary Core Instructor in the Threshold program. “When we started negotiations two years ago, Lesley initially came to the table with a 0% wage increase proposal. Throughout this process, our concerns and demands have been repeatedly dismissed. We care about our students and want their education to mean something, but it’s clear the University is not hearing us. My co-workers and I are taking action to make sure they do.”
“Lesley faculty are being asked to do more with less while the university continues to make decisions that undermine working and learning conditions,” said Dave Foley, SEIU 509 President. “Although the decision to strike is never easy, it demonstrates faculty’s commitment to fighting for the best possible educational experience for their students. We stand with our members as they take action to win a fair contract.”
