AACC’s part-time faculty voted to unionize on Oct. 30, supported by the SEIU Local 500 organization.

After Maryland’s Public Employee Relations Board approves the union, the adjuncts will begin negotiating with AACC administrators.

“It’s something that has been a long time in the making,” Linda Neuman, an adjunct professor on the union organizing committee, said. “It’s going to mean improved working conditions on a lot of different fronts.”

In September 2021, the Maryland Legislature voted to allow community college adjunct professors to unionize.

AACC adjunct professor Joseph Stanik said the union plans to negotiate for increased wages, time off and protections from last-minute course cancellations.

“We will have a seat at the table [when there] are decisions that are made that affect our livelihood, affect our employment and affect our students’ learning environment,” Stanik said. “It is a very satisfying victory.”

AACC President Dawn Lindsay acknowledged the union in an email statement on Oct. 30.

“We look forward to working with SEIU Local 500 and negotiating in good faith toward a collective bargaining agreement,” Lindsay said.