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Think. It's time to think about your employment at UW-Milwaukee in real terms. Although the university administration, in order to get what they want (low wages and relatively powerless employees to staff university classrooms) will refer to us solely as "students" or, more paternalistically, as "apprentices," we are workers. We receive paychecks through payroll, we have contracts and, fortunately for those of us at UW-M, we have collective bargaining rights. This page reviews some of the information essential to understanding a 21st century university and outlines some of the ways MGAA members are working together for the benefit of all.
UW-Milwaukee Graduate Employees are currently involved in the following initiatives:
COPE | Worker Education Forums | Bargaining Team | Work Site Leaders Committee | Solidarity Committee | Executive Committee
A pervasive myth among those pursuing advanced degrees (indeed, among many who have attained them, like some of our faculty advisors) is of a "job market," especially for new PhDs, in higher education that is comprised of secure employment (i.e., tenure track) with benefits, professional and employment rights, and academic freedom. In fact, tenure lines at all institutions are being cut or drastically reduced. One only need talk to the local members of The Association of University of Wisconsin Professionals (TAUWP) in order to get a better understanding of higher education employment. As Stanley Aronowitz notes in The Knowledge Factory, "by far the preferred method for administrations to fill classrooms is to hire adjunct professors" (2000, p. 74). Nationwide, these "contingent faculty" are used to replace tenure track faculty in all but the most research-intensive situations (where, as we know, there are a handful of tenured or "tenurable" faculty overseeing many graduate employees who do most of the work). In the UW system, these "contingent" employees have little to no recourse for grievances and disputes, are employed at the will of their college deans, and may make little more than a couple thousand dollars per course.1 As Aronowitz puts it, "A college can hire five to eight adjuncts for every junior faculty position and typically does not pay them benefits unless they have some form of union rights" (p. 74). Faculty in the UW-system, tenured, "tenurable," and "contingent," do not currently have union rights. TAs and PAs do.
In line with national trends, often called "academic capitalism" or the "corporate university," the administrative structure of our university actively works against worker rights, faculty governance, and more "liberal" notions about the purposes of a university (like those regarding "education"). Our current chancellor, an economist who has written about labor relations, seems more interested in grooming relationships with corporate interests (like those of the "M7") than in supporting the educational mission of the university. 2
What can we do about this? Well, a lot actually. First, we need to recognize that we are workers who, acting together as workers, can forward our interests--not the interests of corporations seeking to further privatize our university. Second, we need to recognize that we can take action with other workers and students, both graduate and undergraduate, to better all our lives. (In addition to faculty and academic staff, these workers include those who maintain our facilities, run programs, staff offices, and operate food services, among many others. It's also important to note that many of these workers and students are the same people.)
Do you want to maintain the possibilities for full-time, tenure-track employment? Do you want to work toward improving everyone's working conditions? Use the links and resources on this site to get involved, beginning here.
Notes
Note 1: In contrast, and according to UW-system "redbook" data, UWM's chancellor has a $271,284 salary, not including benefits and other compensation. The Red Book salary info can be accessed via university computers here or in print at UW system libraries.
Note 2: Mission Statement: "To develop and maintain high quality undergraduate, graduate and continuing education programs appropriate to a major urban doctoral university." This is subpoint "a" of the statement; the chancellor might have more in mind an ideologically weighted version of subpoint "f": "To establish and maintain productive relationships with appropriate public and private organizations at the local, regional, state, national, and international levels." But productive for whom? Productive of what? Examine the rest of the university's mission statement here.
Work Cited
Aronowitz, S. (2000). The knowledge factory: Dismantling the corporate university and creating true higher learning. Boston: Beacon Press.
Solidarity Committee
Get involved with other members in the social issues that matter to you: the Solidarity Committee is an autonomously functioning political action unit of the MGAA.
Contact Beth Robinson or Lee Abbott for upcoming meetings and initiatives. Recent campaigns include MGAA members working alongside 9 to 5 members to get Paid Sick Days in Milwaukee.
Bargaining Team
We are always working to improve our Collective Bargaining Agreement. Put your skills to work with the Bargaining Team. Contact Meridith Kruse, VP, Bargaining.
Worksite Leaders Committee
Similar to what are known as "stewards" in other union models, MGAA worksite leaders manage the union. They are active members who collectively make decisions about every aspect of the organization. To ensure an effective organization, a worksite leader is needed for every department and program. Do you know who your worksite leader is? It should be you.
Executive Committee
Working closely with union staff, the worksite leaders, and other active members, the "EC" carries out the day-to-day tasks of the union.
Worker Education Forums
Knowledge is power. As education workers, we may understand the complexities of this statement more than anyone. The Worker Education Forums provide a space for all workers at UW-Milwaukee, unionized, organized and otherwise, to meet, discuss, and effect real change. Come to the forums to learn about the working conditions of other workers at the university. Educate other workers about your job. Most importantly, learn how we can all work together at the university to meet all our needs. Think, organize, agitate and prosper.
COPE
The Committee on Political Education gathers information on local candidates and referenda for election, establishes forums for member political education, and handles political endorsements.
