On July 29, 2006, an arbitrator issued a decision in favor of ACT-UAW members who teach in NYU's Speech Pathology program. In this case, NYU's administrators claimed that teachers who are called "Clinical Supervisors" are not "teaching." NYU has made the same claim in several other programs, in an attempt to deprive us of the benefits and protections provided by our contract.

Mona Greenfield, who was on the Bargaining Committee that negotiated our contract with NYU, was one of the members affected in this case. She was instrumental in pursuing the case and providing testimony. Because she was willing to commit the time and energy needed, we were able to present and win the case, which began in Fall 2004 - a nearly two-year-long struggle.

As a result of the decision, Mona and the other members in this case will now be paid at the rate set in our contract, which is nearly twice their former rate. They are also expected to receive refunds for much of the healthcare subsidy that was withheld since our contract went into effect.

Similar arbitrations are currently underway; we'll keep you informed as they progress.

Written by Cate Fallon, ACT-UAW Recording Secretary.