Inside Higher Ed
by Colleen Flaherty
March 8, 2022
The American Association of University Professors and the American Federation of Teachers are teaming up to boost faculty say in legislative affairs and in academe’s future.
The American Association of University Professors and the American Federation of Teachers on Monday announced plans to expand their affiliation and become a stronger faculty voice in national, state and campus-based discussions about the future of higher education.
Under the tentative agreement, each group would maintain its independent mission and organizational structure, but union organizing activities would be combined. The AFT would also contribute to the AAUP’s nonunion advocacy efforts regarding academic freedom and tenure. The AAUP would also continue to censure institutions for alleged violations of faculty rights.
Irene Mulvey, president of the AAUP and professor of mathematics at Fairfield University in Connecticut, said the groups are expanding their partnership as professors face challenges on multiple fronts, from continued attacks on tenure to legislation limiting their ability to discuss certain topics in the classroom.