Rutgers' union wins could inspire labor organizing nationwide

The job security and higher wages three Rutgers University faculty unions won for some of their lowest-paid members after a weeklong strike could inspire educators in labor fights at other colleges and universities amid the highest surge of higher education labor action in decades, experts say.

“It helps to embolden other unions to say, ‘Look, we can ask for these things. We can demand these things, and we can fight to get them,’” said Tim Cain, associate professor of higher education at the University of Georgia.

The new contracts, ratified on Monday, gives Rutgers’ adjuncts a 44% wage increase and increases graduate researchers’ 10-month salaries from $30,000 to $40,000 by 2025. It also offers adjuncts one-year and two-year appointments, rather than making them reapply for their jobs every semester.