Rutgers Strike Disrupts ‘Critical Exam,’ University President Says

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ - A strike consisting of thousands of faculty and academic union members at Rutgers University reportedly disrupted classes Monday, university president Jonathan Holloway said in a statement Monday night.

The strike, which comes after months of unresolved contract negotiations with the university and the unions, was announced Sunday night by Rutgers AAUP-AFT President Rebecca Givan during an online town hall meeting. Read more: Rutgers University Strike: What It Means

“We have bargained and bargained … and we’re not getting anywhere, and we need to do something more,” Givan said Sunday night.

Rutgers on strike! Solidarity!@RUGradsUnited pic.twitter.com/64Fl1nlOgQ
— Left Voice (@left_voice) April 10, 2023

Holloway noted on Sunday that Rutgers will be operating on a normal schedule during the strike, although the action may affect more than 67,000 students across the university’s campuses in New Brunswick, Camden and Newark. In one instance reported to the university, protesters entered a class while a “critical exam” was being conducted, Holloway said.

“While I respect the right of people to peacefully protest, there is no excuse for interfering with classes being taught by faculty who are choosing to continue with their jobs and meet their obligations to our students,” Holloway noted. "I hope the union leadership will join me in urging their members to be respectful of our students and supportive of their academic progress."

On Sunday, Gov. Phil Murphy summoned both parties to meet in the Statehouse, along with representatives of his office, in order to facilitate an agreement on Monday afternoon, Holloway said. However, as of Monday night, an apparent agreement has still not been reached.

“We are encouraged by Governor Murphy’s request and genuinely welcome his leadership. We are hopeful that we can quickly come to a resolution of the remaining outstanding issues.”

A Q&A posted to the university’s website Sunday night called the union action illegal, noting that Rugters may seek an injunction in court to “compel a return to normal activities.”

“The Governor also asked me personally to delay taking legal action asking the courts to order strikers back to work. I agreed to the Governor’s important request while it appears that progress can be made," Holloway said Monday night. "Obviously, if there is no movement towards an agreement, we will have no choice but to take legal action to assure the continued academic progress of our students and prevent irreparable harm. This is especially important for the thousands of students who are finishing their academic careers at Rutgers and are only a few weeks away from earning their degrees.”