STRIKE!25 Years Ago   

Exhibit on 2nd Floor, URI Library Special Collections
 September -November, 2004

25 years ago from September 5^th  to the 19^th , 1979 the University of Rhode Island Chapter of the American Association of University Professors went on a strike to protest the Board of Regents 7% pay increase proposal that the AAUP argued was not reflective of pay rates across Rhode Island.  Contract negotiations between the Board of Regents and the AAUP began in earnest in January and it was clear that the lengthy negotiations were at an impasse by August.  On August 6^th a meeting was held to authorize a strike if no further progress was made and on September 5^th students returned to find their professors on the picket lines.  Classes were not held during the strike and students held protests of their own. An injunction was filed against the strike on the 19^th .  On Thursday morning of the 20^th the announcement of settlement was made and the strike ended.  A 7.22% increase was negotiated for the first year with an 8.67% increase in the next year.  The professors and University administration continued to wrangle over the pay withheld during the strike well into the next year.  

URI Library Special Collections has photographs, printed matter, and ephemera documenting  this historical University event on display until November, 2004

	Faculty members on picket line
Students rallied to end the strike		Campus police officer on strike duty
	Youthful supporter of faculty

Images are from  our photograph archive
Special Collections