Faculty Statement of Support for Student Workers
President Van Zandt,
We, the undersigned faculty, call on The New School administration and our colleagues to remain neutral in the upcoming union election for student academic workers at The New School.
Now that the National Labor Relations Board has granted student academic workers at The New School the right to an election, we call on the administration and our fellow faculty not to engage in any efforts to influence or interfere with student worker organizing, including but not limited to public statements, one-on-one meetings, distribution of literature, or any other active campaigning or activities intended to affect the voting decision of student workers. We believe that student workers should decide on the merits of collective bargaining on their own, and call on the administration to respect their right to do so.
By remaining neutral, refraining from influencing the outcome of the election and respecting the democratic process, The New School administration and faculty can affirm their commitment to the progressive values of our institution. Our RA's, TA's, and other student workers are indispensable to the university’s academic mission. They carry out important teaching and research, and through this work contribute significantly to the intellectual traditions of our academic community. It is in recognition of their invaluable contribution, and in support of their right to organize as workers, that we call on the university to remain neutral in the upcoming vote.
Signed,
