Lecturers' nightmare (10/7/02)
Does anyone know the details behind the story coming out of the Business School that one of the departments fired three lecturers just eight days before the start of the fall quarter?
The lecturers evidently had taught in the program for several years and had been led to believe that they would teach this quarter. Indeed course listings with their names were already posted when, at the very last minute, the unit decided to replace them. There was apparently no budget emergency (the courses are now being taught by new hires). The department just decided to make a change.
If true, this would be a gross violation of basic employee rights. AAUP standards, which are recognized by all major universities, require eight to twelve months notice of nonrenewal for lecturers with two or more years of service. UW departments get around that by routinely issuing nonrenewal notices while at the same time telling lecturers they are actually going to be rehired. That leaves them free to pull the plug at the last minute.
If anyone can clarify what happened in this case, please let me know. This is precisely the kind of story that should be aired at the Workers Rights Board Hearing on Saturday. How much of this is going on? Are lecturers becoming more vulnerable as the UW increases part-time and non-tenure-track appointments?