Home : Bargaining 2008 : Faculty FAQ

FAQ For Cincinnati State Faculty - Updated 10/20/08

Q: If students ask faculty what will happen if there is a strike, what should we say?

A: You should tell students that faculty members hope there will not be a strike. Students can support this goal by sending a message to Dr. Henderson or Dr. Posey asking the administration team to come to the bargaining table ready to work hard to achieve a contract settlement.

You can direct students to the Cincinnati State AAUP website, where there is an FAQ page for students. (http://www.cinstateaaup.org/2008/students08.html) We will be update this page to address new concerns raised by students as they are brought to our attention.

Q: The administration told students that Early Fall grades will be assigned even if there's a strike? Can they do that?

A: The administration is sending messages to students (via email and phone) saying it will be "business as usual," even if faculty are on strike. At this moment, a plan for accomplishing business during the final week of the term doesn't seem to exist.

If a strike occurs, the administration would have a legal right to assign grades. However, who would do that, their qualifications, and what criteria they might use are unknown. You can suggest to students with concerns that they ask the administration for answers.

Q: What should I do about protecting my course materials, my exams, my Blackboard materials, and my gradebook?

A: Your course syllabus and other course materials you have created are your intellectual property, and they belong to you. No one can force you to share these materials with administrators or other instructors. Even if copies of your materials have been archived in Blackboard, they still belong to you.

Many faculty members routinely share copies of their course materials with other full-time and part-time faculty colleagues, and may voluntarily give file copies of materials to administrators. However, you can rescind permission if you choose to do so. (You can use the sample memo made available by AAUP if you wish to.)

Q. I want to tell students in my classes that if there's a strike, they should ask for their money back and not register for Late Fall. Can I do that?

A. If a strike occurs, each student will have to make a personal decision about what to do. Faculty members should not be telling students what to do, other than encouraging them to seek information from administrators about the quality of educational service they will receive if you are on strike.

Q: Will bargaining unit members lose their health benefits if there is a strike?

A: No. The COBRA act guarantees that the College must provide "continuation coverage" in the event of a strike. The administration might try to send you a bill for the insurance premium, but the bill would not have to be paid until 45 days later. The bill would be for the days of a strike only. The Cincinnati State AAUP Chapter attorney assures us that faculty cannot be left without health benefits.

Q: Does AAUP have a strike fund?

A: If a strike becomes necessary, the chapter will make arrangements with National AAUP to provide a line-of-credit account at a local financial institution for chapter members who might need such funds.

Q: Can members of the bargaining unit who are not AAUP chapter members go on strike?

A: If there has to be a strike, all members of Bargaining Unit 1 are permitted to strike. Whether you do is a matter of personal conscience.

However, you are NOT required to tell administrators what your intention is. You do NOT need to sign anything or tell anyone your intention.

Q: If Early Fall is my term off, can I participate in a strike?

A: Yes. You have a First Amendment right to use your term off to express support for a strike.

Q: Can Unit 2 faculty, SEIU members, or student workers support a strike?

A: Ohio law prohibits "sympathy strikes." If a strike is necessary, we would expect our colleagues to show their support by doing their jobs, and not taking on extra work to replace anyone who is participating in a strike.

Q: Can adjuncts support a strike?

A: In the event of a strike, we hope some adjuncts will choose to support a strike by not crossing a picket line. It's a personal decision, and we understand if adjuncts decide they must teach their assigned classes, either out of economic necessity or fear of administrative reprisal, or both.

We hope all adjuncts will show their support by not taking on extra work to replace any full-time faculty member who is participating in a strike.

Any adjunct who believes they have been threatened or intimidated in relation to their decision to support (or not support) a strike is encouraged to send a message to exec@cinstateaaup.org. The AAUP Executive Committee does not condone such behavior and will take steps to address it if we become aware of problems.

Q: Is it "safe" for untenured faculty to support a strike?

A: Although untenured faculty members can be non-renewed on April 15 of any year, if a non-renewal appears to be related to support for union activities, such a dismissal would be illegal.

Any faculty member or any other College employee who believes they are being threatened, harassed, or intimidated because of alleged or actual expressions of support for the AAUP should inform an AAUP Executive Committee member immediately. Our chapter attorney will take action if necessary to protect the rights you have under our contract (not to mention your rights under the U.S. Constitution).

It is possible that the administration will circulate newsletters, flyers, or other communications intended to upset or intimidate employees (including letters sent to your home address). If you have any questions, contact an AAUP Executive Committee member! You can also send email messages to exec@cinstateaaup.org.