Update Regarding Faculty Election Petition

Dear Colleagues, 

We write to update you that we received official notice that the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (also known as United Auto Workers or UAW) filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). They are seeking to unionize most of our RTPC faculty. This includes both full- and part-time RTPC faculty at USC but excludes part-time and adjunct faculty in the School of Cinematic Arts and all faculty in the Keck School of Medicine (including Children’s Hospital Los Angeles). It also excludes all tenured and tenure-track, visiting or emeriti faculty from all schools. 

The university respects unions and has worked collaboratively with them for many years, yet we do not think our faculty need a union to speak for them. Further, USC faculty are considered managerial employees, which we think legally prevents an election. 

Our RTPC faculty have strong means to participate fully in faculty governance, including voting and holding leadership positions in the Academic Senate. This has led to significant achievements through shared governance. Some points to consider: 

  • If the UAW succeeds, all RTPC faculty in the proposed unit (including those who do not vote or those who vote against the union) would be represented by the UAW exclusively for their terms and conditions of employment.
  • Unions often use an adversarial model, which can include strikes. At a university, strikes hurt students.
  • Unions tend to propose one-size-fits-all mandates, which may not suit the diverse needs of our academic fields.
  • In bargaining, the UAW would likely demand a “union security” clause requiring all RTPC faculty, whether or not they voted for the union, to pay dues or fees. Dues can range between 1.4% and 2% of a faculty member’s salary. 

Some of you have asked about the union’s request for neutrality. This would mean that the university could not discuss our position on unionization with you before an election. We believe in open dialogue and want you to have all the relevant facts. We are legally required to stick to the facts and avoid misleading statements or promises. Unions are not held to the same standard and can make promises that they have no power to guarantee. For these reasons, we will continue to provide you with information so that you can be fully informed. 

We are committed to working directly with all USC faculty, including the Academic Senate and faculty committees, to achieve even more together, and will update you as this process continues. 

Have a happy holiday and a restful winter recess. 

Sincerely,

Andrew T. Guzman
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

Steven D. Shapiro
Senior Vice President for Health Affairs