UAKU protests to put pressure on University to negotiate union contract

United Academics of KU members protesting to put pressure on the University of Kansas on Wescoe Beach, in Lawrence, Kansas on Aug. 27. Jonah Kahn//KUJH

Jonah Kahn | @jonah_kahn

United Academics of KU (UAKU) has been negotiating union contracts with the University of Kansas for more than 400 days. On Aug. 27, UAKU members made their voices heard with a protest on Wescoe Beach. They hope this protest put pressure on the University to make a deal.

Around 1,700 KU staff and faculty are part of UAKU and demand union contracts. They say the contract will provide a better working environment. Protesters said they’re tired of money being spent on athletics and want the wealth to be shared.

“We’re not being egregious or our demands, our proposals aren’t extreme, they’re normal,”Tara Marriage, a UAKU outreach committee member, said. “We just want a good, strong first union contract.”

KUJH reached out to Erinn Barcomb-Peterson, a spokesperson for the university, on the protest:

“University of Kansas leaders welcome continued conversations with faculty and instructors about ways to move the university forward,” Barcomb-Peterson said.

However, UAKU members said their working conditions and pay are not ideal. Some of the items they’re working on negotiating include:

More affordable parking spaces
Fixing leaks
No pests in buildings
Decaying infrastructure
Better plans regarding sick leave, vacation, paid parental leave and more

“Really great to see students here,” Dr. Marike Janzen, a UAKU member, said.. “Everybody wants this to be a good place to learn, and it can be a better place to learn when the people who are here to teach and do research have good conditions to do that work.”

UAKU members are anxious to move forward with a contract proposal, as they say the University is slow to respond.

UAKU members will meet again with university officials on Sep. 5, after the last meeting on Aug. 27. Additionally, KU has set up four more meetings after their meeting with the University. More information can be found on the UAKU website.