In his Sept. 16 op-ed column, "Solidarity Isn't Forever," George F. Will said that New York University walked out on bargaining with our union because it was "breaking its promise to confine itself to economic issues and not inject itself into academic decision making, such as the assignment of teachers to particular courses."
NYU officials have made this claim repeatedly, but it isn't true. Our union has filed grievances about economic matters and workplace conditions.
When NYU officials announced their refusal to negotiate with our union, administrators said they would maintain the wage and benefit standards we negotiated in 2001. They didn't.
This year's health plan for graduate employees at NYU has increased co-pays, reduced coverage and increased out-of-pocket expenses for our members. This couldn't have been done under our contract, which is why our union is demanding a second contract.
Our dispute with NYU isn't about teaching assignments. It's about democracy in the workplace.
MICHAEL PALM
NYU Union Chairperson
GSOC-UAW Local 2110
New York
