Rider University administration reaches tentative contract agreement with faculty union

Rider University leaders have averted a potential strike, reaching a tentative contract agreement with the faculty union after continuing negotiations over the weekend.

On Sept. 1, union members voted overwhelmingly to authorize union leadership to call a strike if they could not reach a fair and equitable contract. The vote came after months of negotiations failed to lead to compromises on a range of issues. Late last week, many faculty members were bracing for the possibility of a strike. But weekend negotiations led to a deal on Sept. 11.

Details of the tentative agreement have not been released. Key issues for faculty were related to workload, working conditions, salaries, and benefits.

The five-year agreement will be presented to the faculty union’s members and the board of trustees, who will then vote on its ratification. The union, the American Association of University Professors, will hold a ratification vote on Sept. 20.

“The lengthy negotiations concluded days after the chapter hosted the largest chapter meeting in its history,” said David Dewberry, president of the Rider AAUP chapter. “Members were adamant they get a fair contract and go out on strike, if necessary. A week prior, faculty, librarians, and athletic staff engaged in informational picketing while students moved onto campus during the Labor Day weekend.”

Jeffrey Halpern, the chief negotiator for the union, said this was the most difficult faculty contract to negotiate in 40 years. “It was the only one where our right to collective bargaining and viability as a union was at stake,” Halpern said. “I believe this is the best contract that could be achieved without a strike, and I will be recommending it to the membership for ratification. It will be up to the membership to make the final decision.”