Sunday, July 18, 2010

EMU's fight goes on -- Picket on July 22!

Here's the latest from Prof. Curtis Keyes of EWU's illegally-fired adjunct faculty -- please support their efforts!

The United Adjunct Faculty Association (UAFA) at East-West University Rush Hour Picket Protest Thursday, July 22 at 4-6PM at 816 South Michigan Avenue Adjunct faculty members at East-West University will picket the university’s main entrance at 816 S. Michigan Ave on Thursday, July 22 at 4-6PM. Join the UAFA in its protest against the discriminatory firing of adjunct faculty as they were scheduled to vote for labor union representation with the Illinois Education Association chapter of the National Education Association. This direct attack on adjunct faculty members (the largest workforce) at EWU is extreme and strikes a mighty blow against students! It is an outrageous violation of our country’s long-standing labor laws. It is also grossly offensive to experienced adjunct professors who have worked for many years educating students and helping East-West University grow into a respected member of Chicago’s higher education community. Please help us fight against East-West University administration’s anti-union activities.


For more information, please contact: EWUAdjuncts@gmail.com.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

The plot thickens! Now EWU admin's fighting illegally-fired adjuncts' claim to UC benefits!

This just in...Prof. Curtis Keyes of UAFA (union the illegally-fired adjuncts of EWU are trying to form) writes the following:

Dear Colleagues,

Just when you think Chancellor Khan and Provost Jain would want less negative publicity of their arbitrary-discriminatory labor practices and fear-mongering treatment of adjunct faculty, they continue to fight against the adjunct faculty. Currently, Khan and Jain are working to deny/prolong adjuncts UC claims. Many of the union supporter adjuncts who were told not to come back in the fall coupled with adjuncts whose summer class assignments were abrogated and given to newly hired adjuncts in their place are meeting fierce opposition from Khan and Jain. The UC office and EWU will have a conference call with unemployed adjuncts before claims are received. EWU maintains that unemployed adjuncts are still part of personnel, so therefore, they are employees. Is this a set up to deny UC? "You betcha," as Sarah Palin would say. This email is being copied to others outside of EWU who have experience with getting through administrative schemes aimed at denying UC. How best can EWU adjuncts fight to get their UC? The battle at EWU is financially difficult for adjuncts to say the least. We need help right now!

The United Adjunct Faculty Association (UAFA) at EWU members will not be deterred. We are doing the right thing in organizing.

This is a classic reason why EWU adjuncts need union representation. There are EWU adjuncts who have worked for the institution since the late 1980s and onward with no job security or protection. The firing of all adjuncts and rehiring them at the personal discretion of the chancellor and provost during the same time UAFA was set to vote for union representation is ethically and fundamentally wrong!!!! It smacks boldly against our nation's long standing labor laws. Make no mistake, EWU adjuncts' fight is a fight that will have nationwide precedence. We will see you at the picket demonstration on Tuesday, July 13th 11-1PM at 816 S. Michigan, Chicago, Illinois 60605

In Solidarity,

UAFA

An injury to our EWU colleagues could truly be an injury to all! Please pass the word along!

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Join the United Adjunct Faculty Association at EWU Picket July 13th!

The adjunct faculty of East-West University in Chicago received notice on May 25, 2010 that they should "no longer consider themselves employed," one day after they had filed a petition for NEA/IEA union representation. This illegal firing must not be allowed to stand, as it threatens the right of all adjuncts to exercise their legal rights to organize in unions and collectively bargain.

The illegally-fired adjunct faculty of East-West University in Chicago need our support on Tuesday, July 13th, as they picket against the unfair labor actions of EWU Chancellor Khan and Provost Jain.

When: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Where: 816 S. Michigan Ave., in front of the main entrance of EWU.

If you can't be there, please call by phone or send emails in protest of these actions to:

Chancellor Dr. Mohammad Wasiullah Khan
chancellor@eastwest.edu
816 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60605
312-939-0111
Fax: 312-939-0083

Provost Dr. Madhu Jain
madhu@eastwest.edu
(same address, phone, fax as above)

Professor Curtis Keyes is the main contact with the EWU united adjuncts; please cc any email protests to: EWUAdjuncts@gmail.com