Montgomery College part-time faculty agrees to unionize

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Montgomery College part-time faculty agrees to unionize

The decision ends a months-long battle with college officials over their right to unionize

by Marcus Moore | Staff Writer

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Montgomery College's part-time faculty has voted 365-105 to unionize under the Service Employees International Union Local 500, bringing an end to a months-long battle between college officials and the part-timers.

The vote is a first for part-time instructors in Maryland. In 2004, part-time faculty at the George Washington University in the District voted to unionize.

‘‘This is a win for the entire county,” said part-time faculty member Alan Stover in a statement. ‘‘The part-time faculty members at Montgomery College want a stronger voice for quality education for our students. We're going to work to protect and improve the valuable resources we provide to our community.”

Part-time faculty members said they teach about half of all courses offered at the college. Faculty members filed a request in March for a vote on union representation.

‘‘The opportunities we now have to win improvements for ourselves and our students are endless,” said part-time faculty member Terilee Edwards-Hewitt in a statement.

The American Association of University Professors represent full-time faculty members.