We Filed for Election with the NLRB!

After 75% of FIP faculty signed union authorization cards, on November 21, a group of FIP faculty delivered a letter to the President and Provost requesting recognition for our union. We also requested their neutrality in the process and an initial meeting to discuss next steps.

On November 28, the President and Provost declined to voluntarily recognize the union, stating “we will not recognize your organization unless and until it is certified as the representative of faculty in an appropriate bargaining unit following a secret ballot election conducted by the National Labor Relations Board under its rules and regulations.” As we are prepared for an election and embrace this democratic and empowering process, we filed a petition with the NLRB the next day, on Thursday, November 29.  We are still hoping the Administration will agree to neutrality to ensure a fair election and that they will meet with us to discuss a path forward.

As we wrote in our letter to the Administration, “we are committed to a respectful process that works to strengthen our faculty body so that we can face these challenges together. Our strong numbers reflect our hard work to build relationships, learn each other’s stories, and find common ground. We see this as an opportunity for WOAW faculty to model a more equitable environment for us all to thrive in.”

We’ll update as more information comes. You can see our docketed case before the National Labor Relations Board at this link: https://www.nlrb.gov/case/01-RC-330948

You can read our communications with Wellesley administration by clicking here.