University of San Diego non-tenure staff seek unionization

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Non-tenure track faculty at the University of San Diego's College of Arts and Sciences have filed the initial paperwork to unionize, citing the "long overdue" need for collective bargaining with the school.

The faculty announced the move in a release on Monday. According to staff, organizers filed for a union election to join SEIU Local 721 with the National Labor Relations Board on Friday.

According to their petition, all 230 full-time and part-time faculty within the College of Arts and Sciences would be eligible to vote, including lecturers, adjunct instructors, adjunct assistant professors and visiting assistant professors, among others.

In a statement, Meghan Donnelly, an adjunct assistant professor of anthropology at USD who is involved in the effort, said the non-tenure track faculty "overwhelmingly support forming a union."

"For years we've lived without job security, just pay, and basic worker protections," Donnelly continued. "Joining SEIU Local 721 will give us the opportunity to win what we deserve so we can live in dignity and be the best educators, scholars, and mentors possible."

In a statement to FOX 5/KUSI, USD said officials are "committed to the dignity of all humans and a culture of care. That includes taking care of our non-tenure track (NTT) professors."

"The university has a long track record of supporting these important members of our community," USD continued. "The university supports the right of individuals to make their own choice regarding unionization efforts and to ensure they have access to accurate, complete information."

Should the faculty vote to unionize, they will become the latest group of higher education staff in San Diego to seek labor negotiations, joining faculty at California State University and University of California campuses.

Back in January, educators within the California State University system reached a tentative contract agreement about a day into a historic strike.