EMMA PIRHALA / NEWS EDITOR

The non-tenure track (NTT) faculty union’s strike authorization vote passed with 90% of voters in support of striking. The vote was prompted after the University significantly reduced course offerings taught by NTT professors. A press release from the union explained that 25% of NTT faculty members who taught a course in the Fall 2024 semester are not listed for classes in Fall 2025. The union claims that the cut is retaliatory — as it occurred without bargaining — and that it is illegal. This led the union to file an Unfair Labor Practices (ULP) charge with the National Labor Relations Board. 

Currently, the union’s leadership has yet to set a date for a strike. The strike authorization vote provided a consensus for the possibility of a strike, but doesn’t necessarily mandate one. If a strike occurred, professors would not perform any work for USD — including but not limited to teaching, grading, writing letters of recommendation and advising student organizations. Typically during strikes,  universities are responsible for providing temporary replacements. USD has not confirmed whether or not they will provide temporary replacements and it is not guaranteed that all professors would have substitutes. 

In  response  to the possibility of a strike, the University explained that they remain committed to students and negotiations with the union.  

“USD has negotiated throughout  the process in good faith and it is our goal to reach a mutually acceptable collective bargaining agreement with our NTT colleagues represented by the SEIU,” a media relations representative explained on behalf of the University. “We also want to ensure our students are able to complete  the  semester successfully.”

Since NTT professors would be unable to perform any work for the University, students may be negatively affected by union action. A memo   sent to  faculty   obtained by The USD Vista  explained that if NTT professors obtain the wage increases then tuition could increase by 9%. 

The lingering possibility of a strike leaves some students worried.  USD sophomore Madelyn Labreque shared her opinion on the potential strike. 

“I don’t think any of my professors  are tenured which would mean I wouldn’t have any classes” Labreque said. “So am I still paying all this money for nothing?”

However, other students support the union’s strike if it becomes necessary. USD senior Zoe Kobs explained that she supports a strike if it occurs. 

“I think it’s a very important time to advocate to the University that without the professors and them  being  here, it really affects the students, and they need to be held to a standard,” Kobs explained. 

As an art history major, Kobs observed that many courses previously offered in the fall were no longer available in the course catalog — including the classes taught by her favorite professor, who is involved in the union. In response, Kobs wrote a letter to the College’s administration seeking explanation or a reversal to the catalog changes. 21 current and former students co-signed the letter in support of NTT faculty in the department. 

The NTT union planned a May Day concert for May 1 outside of the Board of Trustees meeting that will occur in the Kroc Institute and Justice. As the possibility of a strike lingers over the campus, Toreros continue toward finals season. 

The NTT union has not announced when a strike would take place. Photo courtesy of @usd_nttfaculty/Instagram