Improving Job Stability and Career Pathways for Lecturers Through Collective Bargaining at the University of California

Jordan Harper

University Council-American Federation of Teachers (UC-AFT)/University of California (UC) Unit 18 faculty achieved a historic win with their new collective bargaining agreement effective for 2021-2026. Their efforts focused on improving lecturers’ job stability and career pathway revisions. Their bargaining campaign theme was “faculty equity — student success,” drawing an inextricable link between faculty working conditions and student learning conditions.  The new contract is an attempt to retain lecturers, move more part-time lecturers toward full-time status, and improve their livelihood. Successful changes to the contract sets the basis for future contracts. The process that led to the historic win is the focal point of this case study and serves as a model for other unions and non-tenure-track faculty who aspire to unionize nationwide.

Categories: Delphi Project