College teachers are essential workers in today's institutions

Since the administration of the University of San Francisco seemed to have walked away from the bargaining table in its talks with the Part Time Faculty Association (PTFA -- that's the low paid contingent professors who teach nearly half the classes), yesterday union members brought the table to them on Ash Wednesday.

 

The private Jesuit university isn't exactly broke. They just purchased the San Francisco Art Institute and now they are buying the old Irwin Blood Bank, which is owned by some corporation named Vitalant.

 

But USF is not will willing to guarantee these teachers a 2 percent raise over the next two years. 

The march and rally drew a spirited crowd.

There's plenty of solidarity on campus and in the community.

District One Supervisor Connie Chan spoke passionately of the dignity of labor.

Sly Pellas from the student Filipinx group Kasamahan recounted what USF teachers had meant in her life.

Nat Naylor brought greetings from the campus local of OPEIU (that's the admin staff) who have their own struggle with the administration.

 

Danich Ho from Jobs with Justice led chants ...

 

... while music instructor Judith May had written lyrics for the occasion.

PTFA president Jill Schepmann announced the university had agreed in the last 24 hours to resume talks -- but this struggle for worker justice still has a long way to go ...