This book describes the many experiences of a university faculty union leader. Interactions with faculty members and administrators are examined in a variety of contexts ranging from discussions about such mundane topics as parking on campus, to such meaningful topics as the nature of the union/administration relationship. Individual chapters will address important occurrences in the life of a faculty union leader, including the process of negotiating a new contract and the on-going process of representing a diverse membership with disparate goals and differing levels of devotion to the notion of collectivism. Each chapter features a "lessons learned" section which attempts to offer guidance for those who might choose to become a union activist themselves, or who might choose to offer advice to those who might consider it. While the book centers upon higher education, the concepts advanced might be equally applicable to a variety of organizations in which the eternal struggle between management and labor in a function of the workplace.

Robert Engvall is a professor of justice studies at Roger Williams University, in Bristol, Rhode Island. He has written extensively about a variety of issues including those centering upon the "professionalism" of teaching and of the evolving "place" of the professoriate more generally.

IntroductionChapter 1- There is But One Truth, But That May Not Be Enough: The Foundation of Labor Relations in the University SettingChapter 2- Journey to the Center of the WorstChapter 3- The Great and Widening DivideChapter 4- Forget About Getting to Yes, How About Getting to SanityChapter 5- Seriously, What Was She Thinking?Chapter 6- Mind if I Park Here?Chapter 7- Get the Brooms, Its Time to Sweep Something Under the Rug AgainChapter 8- Another Day, Another Dollar: Another Night, Another DullardChapter 9- Boot Licking 101Chapter 10- Merit in the University: The Unimportance of Being EarnestChapter 11- Negotiations: Let Them Eat CakeChapter 12- The Slow but Sure Recovery of Your Mental HealthChapter 13- Mistakes Were MadeAfterthoughts: A Lesser Mans Search for A Lesser MeaningAbout the Author