The first-ever faculty strike that shut down most classes at Rutgers University's three New Jersey campuses is expected to enter its third day on Wednesday as talks between three unions and university administrators, now assisted by Gov. Phil Murphy's staff, did not produce a deal on Tuesday.þþIndividuals participating in bargaining discussions on both sides said a major breakthrough that could result in the strike being called off was not likely as of Tuesday afternoon.þþA fourth union, that of Rutgers Administrators URA-AFT Local 1766, made up of employees who work in academic departments, business, admissions and financial aid offices, dining halls, and in university housing announced on Tuesday that it would ÿinitiate a strike pledge,ÿ meaning it will officially begin to gauge interest among its members about joining the faculty and graduate workers' strike.þþThe three striking unions represent 9,000 educators, clinicians and researchers at the East Brunswick, Newark and Camden campuses of Rutgers University went on strike on Monday.þþThe administrative union represents 2,500 employees. Teleworking options, career growth pathways for administrators who stay working at the university and health and safety considerations for working conditions in the older buildings were the administrative union's main demands, said its president, Christine O'Connell.þþÿThis is a big step,ÿ said O'Connell, adding ÿbecause we don't have the job security that tenured professors have.ÿþþRutgers athleticsRutgers athletics spends big — and builds big debt — to stay competitive in the Big TenþþThe ÿstrike pledgeÿ does not mean the union is going on strike, she clarified, but that the union members voted Monday night to assess their members' commitment to participate in the strike.
Source: northjersey.com
