Harper College Adjunct Faculty Association

Dear HCAFA bargaining unit members,

You have heard from us and the media about the “Janus case” which is now before the U.S. Supreme Court. The case – which began here in Illinois and supported by Governor Rauner – centers on the question if those who benefit from the protections of and benefits negotiated by a union must contribute to to the expenses of doing so.

A decision in that case is expected by June 30. The new composition of the Court leads to the fear that it might well cancel those “fair share” provisions.

Should that happen, there are potentially dire results for us at Harper. If membership – full or “fair share” – falls below 50% + 1 of eligible persons, the College might move to decertify HCAFA as representatives of eligible adjuncts. If that is successful, at that moment all provisions of our contract vanish! Our salary schedule, workplace protections, and all those contractual items are at the whim of the College.

We have to look only to nearby Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana and Michigan to witness what happens when union representations are no longer available.

Full members as well as “fee payers” have our collective futures in their hands should the Supreme Court rule against public sector employees in this case. Please consider if you will see your membership as an investment in our local’s ability to represent you and provide a professional voice on local, state, and national levels.

It would not be unexpected if individuals or invested groups might contact you immediately and ask you to formally renounce your HCAFA membership. Please contact an HCAFA Executive Committee member before you do that.

Thanks for all you do for our students, the College, and your colleagues throughout the year. It’s going to be a decisive summer in this realm.

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