Education

Bentley adjuncts reach deal to avoid Monday protest

More than 100 faculty and community allies planned to protest over stalled contract negotiations.

Bentley University reached an agreement with its adjunct faculty to avoid a protest Monday. File photo

July 25, 2016

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Bentley University adjunct faculty called off a planned demonstration Monday after reaching a tentative contract settlement with administrators.

More than 100 faculty and community allies planned to gather at the Center for Business Ethics 40th Anniversary Conference and Gala Monday to protest over stalled negotiations and the treatment of adjunct faculty members. But both sides reached a tentative four-year agreement Friday, which will include across-the-board pay increases for more than 200 adjunct faculty, as well as more predictability in course scheduling, access to a professional development fund and a formal process to weigh in on workplace complaints.

“Negotiations like these are never easy, but both faculty and the administration remained committed to the process,” Summar Sparks, a bargaining team leader and Adjunct Professor in Expository Writing, said in a statement. “After Friday’s marathon mediation session, I’m glad we were able to reach an agreement that we can bring back to our colleagues for a vote.”

Michele Walsh, a spokeswoman for the university, issued the following statement.

“We have been in good faith negotiations and mediation with the union and have reached an agreement, which will need to be ratified by the union,” she said. “We are pleased to have this settled so we can all move forward.”

Bentley adjuncts are affiliated with Service Employees International Union, which includes many local colleges. Adjuncts at BU, Tufts, Lesley, and Northeastern have all reached agreements with their administrations in the past two years.