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News :: Miscellaneous |
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Campus Equity Week, Oct. 28 to Nov. 3 |
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by Campus Equity Week
(No verified email address) |
03 Oct 2001
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From October 28 through November 3, 2001, there will be a week of coordinated activities on campuses in the United States and Canada. |
Campus Equity Week - designed to educate our campus communities, the public and policymakers - will focus attention on issues of fairness and quality of education. Our message: teachers' working conditions are students' learning conditions and equal work deserves equal pay.
In addition to public education, the week of action will promote local organizing and encourage contingent faculty participation and activism. We are inviting anyone interested in promoting fairness for contingent faculty to begin making plans to take action during that week. Reach out to other groups on your campus and in your community and start determining what kind of events best address your local conditions.
Campus Equity Week will also take issue with declining labor standards and increasing use of temporary and part-time labor for all campus work. Campus Equity Week endorses the adoption of equitable labor policies and standards that encourage fairness and dignity for all members of the campus community. Campus Equity Week is part of a growing movement among working people from all walks of life seeking to address the inequities of contingent work. Campus activism is directly linked to that broader movement through the professional organizations, labor unions and member organizations of the National Alliance for Fair Employment that support Campus Equity Week and constitute its steering committee.
This campaign is highly decentralized and flexible reflecting what each local organization feels would work best in its community. This packet will give you a few ideas of the kinds of activities you could organize - from a rally to support local bargaining or organizing drives, a press conference, a teach-in, film showing, public forum, or presentations to governments. Even something as simple as setting up an information table on your campus can make a big difference in bringing your issues to the attention of your colleagues and students. Don't feel limited by what we suggest - be creative, and have fun with your events. It's up to you - as long as you do something!
The History
CEW is part of a long history of academic labor organizing. For the past two decades faculty in the US and Canada have struggled to organize local unions and have their issues addressed in collective bargaining. Their voice has been increasingly strengthened by the growing concerns of the major academic professional and disciplinary associations. In recent years, we've seen a general increase in all forms of union and advocacy organizing with the emergence of ambitious regional projects and successful legislative strategies particularly in British Columbia, Boston, California, New York, and Washington State.
Through a series of conferences, internet networks and growing support from faculty organizations, a leadership dedicated to building an international movement of contingent faculty has emerged. These developments took on new importance as increased activism on contingent labor in the broader economy, prominent media coverage, and a heightened awareness of corporatization made issues surrounding contingent labor central to public debate regarding the future of higher education.
CEW marks a new level of activity and political sophistication. For the first time all major faculty organizations have come together to encourage public education and faculty activism targeting every campus in the US and Canada. Join us October 28 to November 3rd and we will make some history we can call our own.
How It Works
A Steering Committee has been working hard to put together materials that you can use in your planning and events. We've established a website, www.cewAction.org, and an email discussion list so organizers can share information about their plans for the week, find inspiration and support, brainstorm creative ideas, and track down other groups working in their area.
Regional Coordinators will liaise with local and regional organizations to publicize the campaign, and keep track of events that are held or are being planned. They'll also develop contacts with local media and report progress to the Steering Committee.
If you have questions about the central campaign or would like to get in touch with the Steering Committee, you can contact the Central Coordinators: Flo Hatcher, (203) 392-7805; Pierre Ouellet (450) 971-4798, (514) 848-3691; Chris Storer, (650) 949-2287
Take Action!
This packet will give you a few ideas and resources to get you started. Material will also be available at our website, www.cewAction.org. Also, join the CEWaction listserv by sending a blank message to CEWaction-subscribe (at) topica.com.
The success of Campus Equity Week depends upon the energy, creativity and commitment of local organizers. It's up to you to make the campaign your own. But by working together, we know we can make our voices heard.
In Solidarity,
The CEW Steering Committee
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See also:
http://www.cewaction.org/
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