Phil Murphy, the New Jersey Governor is trying to broker peace between Rutgers University and its faculty unions. Read to know more about him.
Gov. Phil Murphy brokers peace between Rutgers University and protesting staff
On Monday, the New Jersey Governor stated he is going to do everything in his power to broker peace between Rutgers University and its faculty unions. Phil Murphy believes he will be able to reach them by getting deeper and wishes to avoid taking it to court. However, Rutgers’ rules prohibit workers from stoppage and the move is considered illegal. He and his staff have been in talks with union officials and are confident about reaching a consensus. Monday’s meeting is going to try to resolve the impasse.
Gov. Phil Murphy did not directly answer questions about the state taking legal action for halting the state. “I hope it doesn’t come to that,” stated Murphy. However, a Rutgers spokesperson stated the governor had asked the school officials to hold off on legal procedures. While the university maintained it is illegal for workers to strike. On the other hand, Unions are insisting there are no laws that prohibit their right to strike.
Rutgers University: More on the strike
The labor unions representing almost 9,000 faculty of the University went on strike for the first time in the university’s 257-year history. The strike affecting about 67,000 students comes following a year of unsuccessful bargaining. “Rutgers is for education, we are not a corporation,” chanted workers. The two main reasons for the strikes are for seeking higher wages as per the ‘enhanced compensation programs’. This will increase wages for dull-time by 12 percent in two years. They are also demanding a raise in the per-credit salary rate for part-time lecturers in addition to a raise for postdoctoral fellows and associates.
