Union Chapter Resources

AAUP union chapters can draw on the collective bargaining expertise of national staff and leaders as needed. This expertise ranges from providing training on organizing colleagues to helping devise strategies on bargaining first contracts and enforcing contracts after they have been signed. The capstone of the AAUP training programs is the annual Summer Institute, which brings together faculty from chapters and state conferences. Faculty experts, along with national staff, conduct workshops on a variety of topics, including negotiations, leadership training, communications, and legislative affairs.

To supplement this, the national office also provides on-site education and training tailored to local needs, as well as webinars on collective bargaining topics.

Services for Union Chapters

AAUP’s staff are here to help you prepare for contract negotiations in a number of ways. Take a look at the list and click here to make a request for your chapter.

Contract Reviews

An outsider’s view of your contract can be helpful in identifying areas to strengthen. We can conduct a thorough review of your contract and produce a written report with recommendations and/or meet with your bargaining team to discuss our review and help you prioritize proposals. 

Financial Analysis

 AAUP provides financial analysis reports conducted by our panel of financial analysis experts. Chapters approaching bargaining may request a one-year, three-year, or five-year analysis, with the costs of the report covered by the AAUP’s financial analysis grant program. These reports help chapters take control of the conversation about finances at the bargaining table and in the member organizing work.

Bargaining Training

Whether your bargaining team is familiar with the negotiation process or brand new, we can conduct a training tailored to your needs covering any and all elements of the negotiations process.

Contract Campaign Training

A strong team at the bargaining table is only half of the negotiations process. The other half, of course, is the contract campaign. We offer trainings that give you and your colleagues the skills to stay organized and united to win the union contract you deserve.  

Communications Training

Chapters have access to trainings on a range of topics including website platforms, digital organizing tools for petitions and letter campaigns, learning to create simple graphics, text messaging programs, social media storytelling, compiling press lists, sending press releases, and spokesperson training.

Union Contract Database

Available only to AAUP members, the union contract database is a primary source for learning what contract language is in place at other AAUP chapters. The database displays a collection of collective bargaining agreements organized by institution. Many of the institutional folders contain more than one CBA, which can be useful if you want to track the historical development of a particular contract provision. 

Funding for Union Chapters

The AAUP and AFT offer funding for union chapters preparing to launch a strategic organizing campaign or facing serious legal challenges. Click the links below to find out more and how to apply. 

  • AAUP CB Chapter Litigation Fund: Description and Application Instructions | Application Form
  • AAUP CB Chapter Mobilization Fund: Description and Application Instructions
  • AFT Militancy Defense Fund. Support for strikes through the grants from AFT’s Militancy/Defense Fund. Grants may support assistance for legal expenses incurred as part of a strike, assistance in paying fines or penalties levied against chapters and members for striking, or loans to striking members. This fund can also support legal fees pertaining to violations of academic freedom, enforcement of tenure rights, and defense against termination and demotion actions (applications must meet fund guidelines).
  • AFT States and Locals in Crisis Fund. Support for CB chapters facing serious crises due to employer actions, legislative actions, or threats to collective bargaining rights through staffing and resources to support internal organizing and access to the AFT’s States and Locals in Crisis Fund. Types of threats covered include anti-union legislation, legislative attacks on tenure or on academic freedom, support for locked-out chapters, and direct attacks on unionization. Supported activities include PR campaigns, GR campaigns, strategic research support, organizing, and legal work.

Educational Materials for Union Chapters

Bargaining in General

Specific Issues in Bargaining

Union Contract Enforcement

Organizing

* Member-only content