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We — LMU’s non-tenure track (NTT) faculty — along with students, colleagues, and community supporters, stood union strong Tuesday, rallying at the entrance of campus on 80th St. and Loyola Blvd. and demanding that LMU resume bargaining with NTT instructors for a union contract! We demand the university stop its illegal union-busting campaign now!
Rally chanters asked: “Who is the union?” Faculty, students, and community supporters chanted: “We are the union!” as they marched around the entrance and on campus.
“What I would like to see is for LMU to get back to the bargaining table and do the right thing,” said Arik Greenberg, clinical assistant professor in LMU’s Department of Theological Studies, in a speech at the rally. “There’s 150 years of Catholic social teaching with unwavering support for labor unions! Do they know better!?”
ACCESS PHOTOS AND VIDEO FOOTAGE FROM THE RALLY.
In an unprecedented move, LMU’s administration illegally asserted on Friday, Sept. 12, that it will not recognize or bargain with unionized NTT faculty. That’s despite a federally certified vote of nearly 90% approval to form a union in summer 2024 with SEIU 721. Our unit and LMU have been bargaining for a contract for nearly 10 months!
We will file an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) charge over LMU’s action, which is unlawful under the National Labor Relations Act.
“Let’s be clear: This action is illegal,” said SEIU 721 President and Executive Director David Green. “SEIU 721’s 100,000-plus members and union siblings who are NTT faculty members will fight this with everything we have. LMU messed with the wrong union.”
For decades, as part of a nationwide trend, we have faced low pay, short-term contracts, job insecurity, and minimal opportunities to advance at the university. Many NTT faculty members work multiple jobs just to survive in the expensive Los Angeles region. We need a strong union contract to gain better job security, living wages, and the rights and protections that they deserve! LMU must come back to the table!
