Faculty and medical staff from three Rutgers University unions walked picket lines Monday, launching an unprecedented strike after months of negotiations over wages and job security came up short of an agreement. Nine thousand union members on campuses across New Jersey walked out.
“It felt from the beginning like they were pushing us. I don’t think they really fully understood that we are really united,” said Hank Kalet, vice president of the adjunct professors union. The three unions opted to strike despite a mediator joining contract negotiations on Saturday. Tenured professors complained Rutgers still isn’t offering enough to its part-time adjunct professors and graduate workers.
Gov. Phil Murphy stepped in late Sunday night, gathering negotiators in Trenton for intense talks aimed at finding a quick resolution. The strike impacts 67,000 students. Many reported professors canceled their classes Monday while others said students and professors were confused over how to proceed. Contract talks are expected to continue into the evening, and the unions urged members to sign up for picket duty Tuesday.
