Adjuncts at Essex County College haven't seen a pay raise in 10 years.  They lack e-mail, voice mail, a place to meet students, pay to hold office hours and many of the essential tools that make it easier to provide support to students. Some can't even have access to a computer or copying services when they need them.

But as of March 5, according to the New Jersey Public Employee Relations Board, under the state's card-check law they are a union. The unit of close to 400 adjuncts is affiliated with the New Jersey Federation of Teachers. Its organizers collected 247 valid cards and turned them over to PERC. The law allows union recognition when 51 percent of the potential bargaining unit demonstrates their wish to be represented by a union.  In this case, 73 percent signed cards, says Lynne Cummins, an Essex activist and psychology adjunct teacher.

She and nine other activists tried to touch base with everyone in the unit since they started organizing in September 2006. "For most part, people were so ready and receptive that it didn't take a lot of convincing," she says. "Adjuncts love the work they do and the impact they have on the community," she adds, but they don't love making an average of $500 per credit hour, among the lowest pay scales in the country. They also handle the bulk of teaching at a college where there are only about 150 full-time faculty.

After it gets the final approval from the NJPERC director of representation, says Cummins, the union will survey members and start drafting bargaining goals. [Lynne Cummins, Hernando Alvarado, Barbara McKenna]

March 1, 2007