In December 2006, ACT-UAW members won an arbitration that helps protect faculty from having courses "reclassified" into lower pay grades.

The arbitration resolved a grievance regarding the course "Aural Comprehension" in the Music Department of NYU's Steinhardt School. The course, which has many sections taught by our members, had been classified as a lecture course during our contract negotiations. When the contract came into effect, NYU administrators changed the classification to studio, cutting the contact hour rate from $90 to $65, while disregarding the substantial preparation and grading required for each class meeting.

The arbitrator concluded that the course properly belonged in the lecture rate category. He also found that it was inappropriate for NYU administrators to use one classification during contract negotiation and another once the contract was in effect.

We persuaded the university to implement the arbitration award for other members who have taught the course. Members who have taught Aural Comprehension while being covered by our contract will receive back pay owed (approximately $1,000 per section), and the correct pay going forward.

Like our previous arbitration victories, this case was won only after years of persistent effort. The member who filed the grievance no longer teaches at NYU, but supported her fellow members by steadfastly helping us pursue the case - she even traveled from California for the arbitration hearing!