Mark Adkins
As an adjunct professor in the Swanson School of Engineering, I support union representation for three key reasons: 1) fair pay, 2) improved benefits, and 3) a voice in our university. The average part-time faculty member at Pitt earns about $3,894 for a three-credit course; the lowest-paid earn only $951. These rates don't reflect the contribution we make to our students' education. Further, while some adjuncts are eligible for the generous benefits provided by Pitt, others (such as those at the regional campuses) are not. Without a union contract, even those of us who do have access to those benefits could lose them at any time. We are important stakeholders in the university and want to see the best outcomes for the students we serve. When we lack a voice in the direction of curriculum, admissions, and teaching standards, our students' learning suffers.
I spent my 20’s as a civil rights activist and union organizer and saw first-hand the difference an energized, united band of people can make. Alone, any one of us can be ignored, but together, our voices must be heard. Never doubt the power we hold when united around a common cause. Unionizing at Pitt means better pay and benefits for faculty and a better learning experience for students.
-- Mark Adkins, Bioengineering
I spent my 20’s as a civil rights activist and union organizer and saw first-hand the difference an energized, united band of people can make. Alone, any one of us can be ignored, but together, our voices must be heard. Never doubt the power we hold when united around a common cause. Unionizing at Pitt means better pay and benefits for faculty and a better learning experience for students.
-- Mark Adkins, Bioengineering
