FAQ for Students

What is a strike?

A strike is a concerted withholding of labor. What would that look like at Wellesley? In this case, WOAW-UAW, the non-tenure track faculty union, would call on our members to cancel their classes. We would also stop grading, holding office hours, sending and answering e-mail, writing letters of recommendation, and supervising theses and independent studies.

When is the strike?

WOAW has set a strike date of March 27th. Whether a strike occurs is ultimately up to the College. The College still has the power to avert a strike. If the College agrees to a fair contract before March 27th, there won’t be a strike.

Why are we striking?

First and foremost, the College needs to rectify it’s unlawful conduct and to make progress at the bargaining table. After 23 sessions and approximately 80 hours, the College has made little movement on essential features of a fair contract such as maintaining a four-course teaching load, maintaining access to serving as your thesis and independent studies advisors, a higher standard for protection against discrimination and harassment, job security, and compensation. 

Since our teaching conditions are your learning conditions, the College’s refusal to compromise signals how little they think of us and of you. We stand by our belief that our working conditions directly shape your learning experience, and we’re fighting for an environment that allows us all to thrive. 

A strike is our most powerful tool to hold the College accountable for its (in)action at the bargaining table. We’ve tried evidence-based arguments and appeals to Wellesley’s stated values to convince the College to do what’s right. These have been brushed aside–often without even the courtesy of well reasoned arguments for such rejection. A strike is an argument the College cannot so blithely dismiss. 

How long will the strike last?

That’s up to the College. The Union has made clear we’re willing to bargain at any time during the strike. Our Bargaining Committee is committed to ending the disruption caused by the College. The question is, How committed is the College to protecting students’ learning experience? 

Will a strike affect my grades or my ability to graduate?

We hope the College will agree to a fair contract long before grades are due. Afterall, we don't want to strike; we’d rather be doing our jobs (with fair pay)! That said, in many of the previous academic strikes, the administration has found ways for students to get their grades and graduate. 

How can students support WOAW?

You can send this letter to President Johnson and the Board of Trustees urging them to work with the Union to avoid a strike by negotiating fairly and seriously. Have your parents, siblings, friends, and other people you know send an email, too!

If there is a strike, you can choose not to attend classes usually taught by Union faculty if the College finds someone to teach the course. To find out which of your courses will be cancelled see this list  (which will go live if there is a strike)

If we’re striking, you can join us on the picket line! We’ll be at the three main entrances to campus (the intersection of Central Street and College Road; the intersection of Washington Street and College Road; and the foot entrance at 106 Central Street at the intersection of Central Street and Weston Road) from 8:00am – 5:00pm.

You should not feel obligated to join us on the picket line. In these turbulent times, it’s important for you to decide how much risk you feel comfortable taking in your support. We understand issues like visa status or some kinds of financial aid might make you more vulnerable to the consequences of public protest. We want you to be safe. If you’d like to support us, there are many other ways to do so. In addition to emailing President Johnson and the Board, you can join UniLAd, make signs, wear red, or get creative. 

If there is a strike, you should not skip your classes taught by tenure-eligible faculty. Tenure-eligible faculty teaching their own classes are not scabbing. Attending your classes taught by tenured faculty is not hurting our efforts. If you aren’t sure which of your faculty are tenure-eligible or not: if they have the word “professor” in their official job title, they are tenure-eligible and not in the union.