school of visual arts faculty votes unionize 1234743586

Faculty at the School of Visual Arts (SVA) in New York have voted to unionize, with 1,200 instructors casting ballots 77% in favor of joining the United Auto Workers (UAW). The new bargaining unit, SVA Faculty United–UAW, was certified by the Labor Relations Board on May 23 and will seek its first contract this summer. Adjunct faculty, who make up most of SVA’s teaching corps, cited stagnant wages, heavier course loads, and the loss of retirement contributions and paid sabbaticals as key reasons for organizing. SVA’s administration said it encouraged participation and pledged to bargain in good faith.