Due to concerns about COVID-19, the AAUP office has transitioned to telework. Please contact staff by email.
Due to concerns about COVID-19, the AAUP office has transitioned to telework. Please contact staff by email.
AAUP union chapters are grassroots, democratic organizations—member-run, member-driven. On the national level, the AAUP makes that support explicit in policy statements and in action.
Unlike many unions, the AAUP encourages a dues structure that allows its chapters to keep a significant percentage of dues at the chapter level. Many of our chapters have made decisions to devote resources to release time for officers so that it is members running the union on a day- to-day basis. Many additionally use their resources to hire local staff.
It’s important that our union members understand our difference. Resources and power are kept with the chapter. In this way, the AAUP affirms our union members’ capacity for leadership, professionalism, and self-governance.
Support for your local union could not, within the AAUP framework, be more important.
If you are a member of a unionized AAUP chapter, here are some possible ways to participate in and strengthen your local union:
We have a strong tradition of “making it work” at the local level. Sometimes chapters may hit some rough spots. When things aren’t working, connect with other AAUP union chapters and your state conference to move forward.
And remember that your chapter can always work with the national AAUP to identify resources and training in a variety of areas. For consultations, please contact Christopher Simeone, director of the Department of Organizing and Services.