Hofstra faculty approves 5-year contract with annual raise over 3%

The Hofstra University faculty voted to approve a five-year contract Wednesday with an average annual raise of more than 3%, their union told Newsday.

In an emailed statement, the Hofstra chapter of the American Association of University Professors said its members "overwhelmingly" voted to ratify the contract. The final vote count was not immediately available.

"We thank our members for their participation and unity throughout the entire process; hundreds attended meetings, participated in an on-campus rally, voted to support job actions, signed strike pledges, mobilized their networks to sign a petition to President [Susan] Poser, shared their views, and took part in the final contract vote," the union said in the statement. "We also received many letters of support from unions, community groups, and alumni from around the country. These expressions of solidarity and shows of strength helped moved the contract talks forward."

Professors are looking forward to "fostering a respectful working relationship with the administration," the statement said.

Poser, the Hofstra University president, said late Wednesday she was “pleased” professors and the administration reached an agreement.

“We thank both bargaining teams for their work throughout this process and look forward to moving ahead together with a shared focus on Hofstra students and the University’s future,” Poser said in a statement emailed to Newsday via a spokesperson.

The approved contract includes a 3.5% raise, as of Sept. 1, followed by 3% increases annually for the next three years and a 3.25% increase in 2030.

Union president Anthony Basile has said the administration proposed a salary increase of 2.5% in the contract’s first year, followed by 1.5% yearly increases. Basile said the proposed contract also included additional costs for health insurance and other benefits. The faculty union’s proposal included annual raises of 6.5% to make up for inflation and a salary freeze professors accepted during the pandemic.

Hofstra’s top administrators’ pay has increased by 23.2% since 2019, roughly equal with inflation, Basile said. During that same period, faculty salaries have lost ground after accounting for inflation, rising by just 12%.

As in-person voting was underway at Hofstra’s student center on Wednesday afternoon, Hofstra professors interviewed by phone spoke in favor of the proposed accord.

"My sense was the university's initial presentation was not very good, but I think the union folks did a phenomenal job, and in the end, there was also great solidarity on the faculty part, which I think is really important," said Carolyn Eisenberg, a history professor at Hofstra. "They handled a lot of sensitive issues, from salary to internal procedures to healthcare to new hiring."

Alan Singer, professor emeritus of teaching, learning and technology at Hofstra, called the agreement "a very good compromise."

"The contract seems to address the major concerns of faculty and the needs of the administration," Singer said. "People do not want to go on strike, so I think people are relieved that this agreement was reached."

The faculty’s previous five-year contract had been set to expire Aug. 31 but had been extended twice, most recently through Wednesday.

The union took a strike authorization vote last month, and 99% of those participating approved the measure. The most recent contract negotiations between the union and administration took place 10 years ago. No strike has taken place since 1988, according to the union.