Transforming Higher Education

Movement Milestones and Victories

We’re working to improve learning and teaching conditions and access to higher education, while standing up to end the trend toward a low-road, corporate-business model for education. More than 50,000 faculty and graduate workers are already united through SEIU Faculty Forward. Every day more educators, students and community members across the country are joining our fight to transform higher education. Here’s a look at what we’ve accomplished together so far.

2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

McDaniel adjuncts stand defiant in the face of anti-union attacks at the federal level, win a strong contract that will improve the lives of their families and their campus communities

Adjunct faculty at McDaniel overwhelmingly ratified their first union contract, winning a three percent retroactive pay increase for courses, another raise in 2019, a professional development fund, a tuition-free course for every course taught, free parking, access to other amenities provided to full-time faculty and increased job security.

Prior to the contract, adjunct faculty had no assurance of being reappointed, even if they had taught for many years at McDaniel College. Nor did they have any recourse if they were terminated or disciplined during the semester. Their new union contract offers job security through three related provisions and a process for fair evaluation of adjunct faculty members’ teaching.

McDaniel adjuncts won a three percent increase of their rate of compensation for courses, lessons, labs and other payments made to adjuncts. The increases are also going to be retroactive to adjuncts hired on or after January 3, 2018. In May 2019, adjuncts who have taught for McDaniel College during five or more academic years will earn a further three percent increase. Adjunct faculty members are also now eligible to make contributions to a TIAA 403(b) retirement plan.

In their new contract, McDaniel adjuncts won a $10,000 Professional Development Fund where they can be reimbursed up to $350 each academic year for professional development expenditures. Additionally, adjunct faculty members are now able to take a course at McDaniel College tuition free for every course taught. They also won free parking on the McDaniel Westminster, Maryland campus, as well as access to library services, the campus post office, campus sports and recreational facilities, the café and dining hall at faculty discount prices, the campus bookstore, and other campus event discounts otherwise made available to regular full-time faculty members.