Rutgers students to return to class as week-long strike settled

Rutgers students to return to class as week-long strike settled

by
April 15, 2023
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Rutgers University and labor union representatives have finally reached an agreement, following a five-day-long negotiation at the State House in Trenton. The talks aimed to resolve issues related to compensation, benefits, and job security for full- and part-time faculty members at the university. This marks an end to the ongoing faculty strike, which has disrupted classes on three of the university’s campuses this week.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, who brought the parties together in his office to facilitate the dialogue, announced the framework agreement. He expressed his satisfaction with the outcome of the talks, which he believes respects the interests of different stakeholders while upholding the values of the state.

The agreement was reached after intensive dialogue and negotiations. According to the governor, the conclusion is fair and amicable, and he thanked the mediators and representatives from all sides for their hard work. With the resolution, tens of thousands of students across the New Brunswick, Newark, and Camden campuses will resume their classes on Monday, April 17.

Rutgers University President Jonathan Holloway expressed his gratitude to the governor for his leadership in the negotiations, which he believes led to equitable and fair wages, benefits, and work conditions for faculty, graduate students, and part-time lecturers. The president also highlighted the importance of the resolution, which would allow the university to live up to its students’ academic expectations and dreams.

Becky Givan, President of Rutgers AAUP-AFT, hailed the framework as a new standard for higher education in New Jersey and the country at large. She stated that the agreement sets unprecedented gains for contingent workers, graduate students, and communities. Meanwhile, Amy Higher, President of the Adjunct Faculty Union (PTLFC), expressed her satisfaction with the agreement, particularly with the multi-semester appointments for hundreds of part-time faculty members and significantly higher pay for all.

The parties still have work to do to finalize the tentative agreement, and negotiations will resume next week. Nonetheless, the conclusion of the framework agreement has ended the faculty strike and allowed students to return to their studies on Monday.

Students have been out of class for a full week at the university. The announcement was made at 1 am by the governor’s office.

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