Frequently Asked Questions from Adjuncts in New Hampshire
< Back to the sign-up form
What is a union?
A union is a group of people who have the power and voice to deal with their employer as equals. That means that they can negotiate for improvements in pay, benefits and working conditions. That doesn’t mean that a union makes it easy to make important changes at work. But, a union does make it possible.
Who is SEA/SEIU Local 1984?
"SEA" stands for "The State Employees Association of New Hampshire." It is the union that represents 12,000 public servants in our state, including the full-time faculty and staff in the Community College System of New Hampshire. SEA is affiliated with SEIU (Service Employees International Union), a union of 2.2 million members and the fastest-growing union in North America.
What will the union do for me?
Having a union empowers people to make positive changes where they work. What is most important to you: Pay increases? Affordable health insurance? Better working conditions or a retirement plan? Having a union does not guarantee any particular benefit. But a union is a very effective tool for people who want to see improvements where they work.
What can I do to help build our union?
The first step to build the union is to sign and send back your Authorization Form that you should have received in the mail recently. When a majority of adjuncts have signed Authorization Forms, adjuncts will have a union and will be able to begin bargaining for the improvements that you want to see at work.
Many adjuncts would like to get more involved. Anyone who wants to is welcome to join the Organizing Committee on their campus. Call or email Todd Ricker (207-347-0126, todd.ricker@seiu.org) if you want to know more about the Organizing Committee.
What happens after we form our union?
Once Adjunct Professors have formed a union, then it will be time to prepare to bargain a first contract. Adjuncts will elect their bargaining team to make sure that everyone is represented at the bargaining table. And through a survey, all adjuncts will have their voices heard on the issues they believe need to be addressed in contract bargaining.
How much are dues?
Dues are 1.25% of your gross salary. But membership in the union is free until you have 1) formed your union, 2) bargained your first contract and 3) voted as a group to approve your first contract. In other words, you don’t pay any money into the union before you know exactly what you’re getting out of it. You and the other adjunct instructors will decide when your first contract is worth your dues money. No one pays any money in dues before then.
Who will be in charge of our union?
Adjuncts will make all of the decisions for their own union. Adjuncts will have their own chapter, their own officers and their own union contract. All of the proposals for the contract will come from adjuncts. And adjuncts will decide when the proposed contract is good enough to be ratified by a majority vote.
< Back to the sign-up form