An Editor’s Note
“Why should (I) join Local 965/AEA/NEA?” That is one of the two top questions that other 965 leaders and I get when friends and strangers learn of our affiliation. The other question is more of a statement: “I didn’t know the UA had a labor union.”
There has been an active workers union on campus since 1962, when the then-named Arkansas Public Employees Union was chartered as Local 965 by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). Read more at “Birth of Local 965: From Discord to Harmony” and also a 1962 Northwest Arkansas Timesarticle.
In January 2020, Local 965 joined the Arkansas Education Association, a division of the National Education Association. In number of members, the NEA is the nation’s largest union, mightier than, say, the Teamsters or Auto Workers, about 3 million educators and education support professionals, in public primary and secondary schools and public colleges and universities.
Don’t feel bad about our low visibility. While the Arkansas state constitution guarantees the right for a union to exist and employees to join, state law and UA-F and UA System policies keep us from recruiting on campus. Fortunately, the First Amendment allows us to distribute information. This is a key Frequently Asked Question on the 965 website.
Turning to the other question, “Why should I join a union here?” That stymies me. Even if I know you well, I probably don’t know you well enough to convince you to sign up in a moment or two to start paying the equivalent of two coffee shop brews a week for support staff and lower faculty or to debit out of your bank or credit card the equivalent four coffees a week that tenured and tenure-track professors owe in 965/AEA/NEA dues.
Answering the “why” must start with this:
We stand ready to act as an influential group to oppose or support X, where an individual or informal group won’t have the pull.
While a union or its leadership can issue umpteen proclamations, Local 965 does weigh goals and chances of success in considering the strategy to take on each issue.
Local 965 represents its members and advocates for the campus community. Though “collective bargaining” is not an option here, “collective action” can be powerful.
Our Living Wage Campaign at the turn of this decade likely led to the Staff Classification and Compensation Project to start to make salaries across campus competitive with area business and similar universities. Unsurprisingly, the 965 went uncredited. But we know.
In early 2024, Local 965 kept UA custodial and groundskeeping employees from being schlepped out to a private management company, losing benefits and restricting salary progression. Our strategy started with a resolution, progressed through newspaper guest columns and other media coverage, culminating with a march through campus with pickets, chants and speeches. Unsurprisingly, the 965 went uncredited. But we know.
Our monthly agenda meetings often focus on what we should do regarding current situations. Lively discussions.
Membership advantage: Should a member find themself in hot water, we offer counseling and representation via UniServ directors trained and managed by the AEA/NEA.
Membership advantage: The NEA lists of dozens of member benefits as does the AEA in more regional benefits. If you use a handful of the discounts, those likely can reimburse you your dues.
Last is the, yes, friendships the Local offers. I myself didn’t learn of Local 965 until fall 2017, despite working two other stints for the university, one in 2002-03 and the other 2014-15. (I’ve held my current post 10 years this month.) So, nine years ago I went to a panel discussion, emceed by a 965 leader who happened to be an old friend. We talked later. He needed little effort to recruit me.
©2026 Ben S. Pollock
This column first was published in the June 2026 newsletter of UA-Fayetteville Education Association / Local 965. Local Vice President Ben Pollock begins a term as its president July 1, 2026.
