What’s the big deal? The resummation of the Rutgers strike and the university’s mission to teach, research and service
What’s the big deal? Well, the strike at Rutgers is part of a larger trend in labor politics, where more young workers are embracing unions and the potential protections they can bring to the workplace.
“Those closest to our learning and to the university’s mission to teaching, research and service deserve more than to merely be surviving and scraping by,” Rutgers masters student Michelle O’Malley said during a virtual town hall Sunday night.
The university is adamant that most classes will continue despite the union leaders expecting the action to halt instruction. The unions said that clinicians at the university will still perform patient care duties and critical research while cutting back on voluntary work.
Negotiations have been constant for the past several weeks, the president said. “Significant and substantial progress has been made, as I have noted, and I believe that there are only a few outstanding issues. We will, of course, negotiate for as long as it takes to reach agreements and will not engage in personal attacks or misinformation.”
What is going on strike in New Jersey’s university union bargaining committee? The frustration of Gen Z, a frustrated legislator with no union or wage
Equal pay for equal work, a living wage for all, real job security, race and gender equity, and a fair salary increase are all things that the administration doesn’t understand. We have no other choice than to go on strike to build a university that truly values its workers and its students.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said that the university and union bargaining committee representatives should meet in his office Monday to have a productive dialogue.
A recent poll shows that public support for labor organizing is the highest it’s been in decades. It is at an all-time low. Gen Z will have a chance to bridge that gap.
Want more about what’s going on in politics? One of the Tennessee lawmaker that was expelled might be back in the state house soon.
To say that this is deeply disappointing would be an understatement, especially given that just two days ago, both sides agreed in good faith to the appointment of a mediator to help us reach agreements.