COCAL
VII
Tri-National Conference on
Contingent Academic Labour
Vancouver, British Columbia August 10-13, 2006
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Part-Time College Instructors from across Canada, Mexico, and the United States of America...
have been called many names: sessionals, contingents,
adjuncts, and the like. There are activists among us who no longer
choose to be considered as subordinate appendages, disposable frills, or
fortuitous accidents. Academic professionals who teach less than
full-time now deliver most of the course material in the Americas. It
is time we got job security, livable wages, academic freedom, professional
development, research access, and respect.
Most of
us really do expect to make a living!
The COCAL assembly in Vancouver was very productive. There were some
few problems associated with inexperienced or inaudible translators, but
participants were generally well-treated, well-fed, and well-informed!
Here is a first installment of a report on how the conference went!
Tim Flanagan PCCFF VP for part-timers.
| The Beginning! | After registration and a labor tour of historic Vancouver, courtesy of the Pacific Northwest Labor History Association, we began with opening sessions on The State of the Nation. |
| Friday August 11th. | Jim Sinclair started it off with the admonition to think globally about our fellow academics as we act locally to achieve equity. His energetic plea was followed by Greg Allain's call for freedom, autonomy, and respect. Raul Gatica reminded us about civic-commitment, and Cary Nelson provided practical advice and a plan of action. Deena Rubuliak moderated. |
| Jim Sinclair: British Columbia Federation of Labour |
Contingent academic workers are mostly younger, poorer, and female. The so-called "free trade" agreements have effectively lowered their wages. As we move towards the ideal of free tuition, we must begin with more rational funding priorities on global, national, and local levels. |
| Greg Allain Canadian Association of University Teachers |
With higher and higher tuitions, our public institutions are less and less accessible. The consequent debt loads impinge on academic freedom. Corporate funding has preconditions and federal funding is unevenly distributed. Colleges are becoming training schools and professors are becoming corporate employees. Outsourcing, or contracting out to so-called "non-teaching" professionals, has further undermined wages and benefits. What can we do? We can insist on tenured stream positions which include teaching, research, and service. And the only way to achieve this is through committee work, contract revisions, and more effective organizing, We do not need incremental adjustments... we need access to offices, internets, childcare, health insurance, and equity. |
| Raul Gatica ex-Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de la Education / Confederaceo Nacional dos Trabalhadores em Educacao |
Raul presented a stark picture of poverty, substandard housing, hunger, and deprivation in too many parts of Mexico. But as much as these communities need food, water, and medicine... they need education: the tools of the trade for improving their lives. His concerns focus on a primal union movement for workers to take control of their lives through organizing. It was his plea that we stand with them as brothers and sisters so that all of us can band together. In this solidarity, our struggles can blossom into justice and equity. Raul's selfless reminders of the efficacy of social activism and civic commitment remind us how far we have come and how much work remains. |
| Cary Nelson University of Illinois / American Association of University Professors |
We need security, benefits, and freedom.
Unions make all the difference. We can mourn, whine, and complain... but it would behoove us to mourn and then organize. Part-Timers are 2/3rds of faculty, so they should run the unions. If we want a part-time tenure and a part-time service requirement, we must put it in the contract. Academic freedom, in order to more than lip service, must be secured via organization and solidarity. Underpaid, indebted, and stressed-out workers are denied both economic and academic freedom. Multinational capital is best-served by the status quo. But academic freedom and job security are synergistic links we must reinforce if we hope to counter corporate hegemony or administrative hubris. When part-timers are appreciated and secure, our institutions, students, communities, and institutions are best-served. Job security is key. |
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Following this session, participants departed by bus for the University of British Columbia President's reception at the UBC Museum of Anthropology. This included food, drink, music, and the ambiance of ocean, sculpture, and conversation. An incredible collection! |
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COCAL VII
Conference - Home
Coalition of Contingent Academic Labour VII
Conference ... took place August 11-13, 2006 www.caut.ca/cocal/ |
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