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Strike Frequently Asked Questions

If there is a union election where UAW becomes the union representative of adjunct faculty and later calls a strike, would I get paid while I was out on strike?

If UAW called a strike and you chose not to work during that strike, you would not get paid.

If UAW won the election and later called a strike, could I lose my job because of the strike?

While BAC would not want to see adjunct faculty strike, it also would not agree to unreasonable bargaining demands by UAW. The law gives employers the right to continue their operations during a strike. One option available to employers during a strike to continue operations is to hire permanent replacements. A permanent replacement hired by BAC so BAC could continue to offer courses during a strike would not lose their job when the strike ends. Striking faculty members would not be entitled to get their position back unless or until the replacement leaves.

Would UAW really call a strike at BAC?

You would have to ask them, but remember, so far in 2024, UAW has called a strike at six different colleges and universities across the U.S. In 2023, UAW sent over 63,490 of its members to take part in 24 strikes around the country. Of these 24 strikes, over a third lasted anywhere between thirty plus (30+) days to sixty plus (60+) days.

If UAW won an election at BAC and calls a strike, will UAW pay me anything?

You would have to ask them. Some of your pro-union colleagues have requested the Harvard Graduate Students Union, which is affiliated with UAW, be involved with representing BAC adjunct faculty. According to the financial reports they filed with the federal government, the Harvard GSU’s local UAW union paid their members $0 in strike benefits in 2019 when they were on strike for 29 days and $0 in 2021 when they were on strike for three days.

Could I choose to work even if UAW was elected as the representative of adjunct faculty and called a strike?

Only you can answer that question. If you were willing to work, the BAC would welcome you to do so. However, you should be aware that if you were a dues-paying member of UAW and worked during a strike, you could be subject to fines and other penalties imposed by UAW.