UConn-AAUP Update June 30, 2025
Dear Members of the UConn-AAUP,
Tomorrow, July 1, Jeffrey Dudas will be the new president of our chapter. As the challenges facing the UConn-AAUP are always in process, today’s message is jointly authored by Chris Vials and Jeffrey Dudas.
The outgoing President Chris Vials was in communications with the President’s Office last week seeking greater clarity on the issue of “Personnel optimization/reduction” as communicated in the “Message to the University Community” on June 23. So far, they have told us that they are reviewing special payroll and temporary positions and will engage the unions after their review. We have a query pending as to the extent to which this review will include our bargaining unit members and have still not received a response. Articles 13 and 14 of our collective bargaining agreement speak to the elimination or reduction of bargaining unit members and stipulates AAUP notice and involvement.
Whether full or part time, our members are on the line every week doing the teaching, research, and administrative work that keeps this university running. Campus union members have also been front and center at the state capitol, advocating (successfully) to reduce these cuts and to get us the budget we deserve. Please be assured that in the event that these “personnel reductions” involve some of us, our union will be a space for all of us to stand tall and protect each other.
In Solidarity,
Chris Vials & Jeffrey Dudas
President(s) UConn-AAUP