Part-Timer Unemployment Insurance

Unemployment insurance should cover workers when they are unemployed and have no income. Under current law, however, many part-time faculty working at CUNY cannot receive unemployment insurance when they are laid off between semesters.The reality is that part-time faculty have no real assurance of continued employment. It is certainly reasonable and just to extend these benefits to part-time faculty.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Extend unemployment benefits to part-time faculty

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

As a constituent, I urge you to support A 2515 (John) / S 4845 (Maziarz). This legislation will fix an inequity in current law that prevents part-time faculty at public colleges from collecting unemployment insurance benefits between semesters when they are unemployed and looking for work.

Part-time faculty typically earn less than $20,000 from their teaching. They should be treated as seasonal workers -- like actors and construction workers who are eligible for benefits during the periods they are unable to find work.

Currently part-time faculty in New York cannot collect unemployment insurance benefits if they have been given a letter promising "reasonable assurance" that they will be rehired in the following term. The problem is that these letters do not guarantee a job. They are simply statements of the university's intent to rehire contingent on enrollment, financing or other conditions outside the part-time faculty member's control. CUNY routinely issues these letters to challenge part-time faculty's right to collect benefits but maintains its discretion to cancel classes at the last moment. This puts part-time faculty in the untenable situation of not being able to demonstrate their eligibility for months while they are without income.

A 2515 and S 4845 would end this "Catch 22" by allowing part-time faculty, who are otherwise eligible and looking for work, to collect benefits between semesters unless they have a guarantee of being rehired. Both California and Washington State have passed legislation similar to A 2515/S 4845. New York State should do the same.

A 2515 / S 4845 will ensure that part-time faculty members are treated equitably when they are involuntarily out of work. I urge you to support this important reform on behalf of part-time faculty. Thank you for your time and consideration regarding this matter. Please let me know whether I can count on your support.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
May 03, 2007

Background Information

This legislation will fix an inequity in current law that prevents part-time faculty at public colleges from collecting unemployment insurance benefits between semesters when they are unemployed and looking for work.

Part-time faculty typically earn less than $20,000 from their teaching. They should be treated as seasonal workers – like actors and construction workers who are eligible for benefits during the periods they are unable to find work.

Currently part-time faculty in New York cannot collect unemployment insurance benefits if they have been given a letter promising “reasonable assurance” that they will be rehired in the following term. The problem is that these letters do not guarantee a job. They are simply statements of the university’s intent to rehire contingent on enrollment, financing or other conditions outside the part-time faculty member’s control. CUNY routinely issues these letters to challenge part-time faculty’s right to collect benefits but maintains its discretion to cancel classes at the last moment. This puts part-time faculty in the untenable situation of not being able to demonstrate their eligibility for months while they are without income.