Posted on 02/23/2011 8:51:14 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin
Most private chemists do not have tenure (ie can’t be fired).
Most private chemists do not have their companies paying 100% of their retirement plans.
Most private chemists do not get the summer off. (These univeristy chemists can work for companies in the summer, and do.)
Most private chemists don’t have most or all of their health insurance premiums paid by their companies.
Most private chemists are not covered by very protective civil service laws, and in fact, can be fired for just about any reason, at any time.
Cry me an effing river.
teaching.....assistants....unionized....what...?
The International Brotherhood of Jazz Dancers, Pastry Chefs and Nuclear Technicians doesn’t look so far-fetched anymore, does it? (from The Simpsons, Last Exit to Springfield)
“Most chemists working in Wisconsin’s state university system make lower salaries than their counterparts in the private sector, and affordable benefits go hand in hand with scholarly freedom as selling points of the job, he says.”
I am highly skeptical about this assertion. Perhaps it was true 10 years ago. The value of job security and work conditions have increased because of the recession. Academic labor markets are very insular, isolated from normal market conditions. The market for business faculty is a good example. Business faculty in many disciplines used to have many opportunities in the private sector. Private sector offered higher compensation driving up faculty salaries. As a result, there were relatively few job applicants. The situation is now reversed. Changes in financial markets and heavy doses of regulation have reduced opportunities. Faculty openings draw hundreds of applicants yet faculty salaries continue to increase. In my field, new Ph.D. graduates cannot find academic positions. Yet starting salaries are perhaps higher than my considerable salary ($135k+). New professors could be hired at half my salary. I would have a difficult time to find a new position.
The faculty senate should be sanctioned for supporting walkouts. Anyone not teaching should be fined. There is no provision in any contract for not working because of political disagreements.
Where do alchemists stand on this?
Freepers are by far some of the most humorous people on the planet! Good ones! :)
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