Faculty at Thomas College in Waterville voted to unionize this week, a decision they said comes amid discontent over policy changes by new administrators.

The small private college of about 880 students that is known for its career readiness programs has been growing in recent years. The school graduated its largest ever class in the spring and then welcomed its largest incoming class in nearly a decade this fall.

The college also hired a new president last November, Jeannine Diddle Uzzi, following the retirement of long-time leader Laurie Lachance, and appointed a new provost in April.

Faculty say it was those leadership changes and subsequent shifts in policy that inspired them to form a union. Out of 42 eligible faculty members, 28 voted in support of the union and seven voted against.

Tracey Horton, a professor of forensic psychology and member of the union’s organizing committee, said faculty weren’t comfortable with changes made by new administrators related to job expectations, job security and academic offerings.

For example, she said, administrators felt the college had too many online classes and substantially cut down on those offerings without consulting faculty about the change. Horton said many students are unhappy with the decreased flexibility.

In July, during the unionization process, the Maine Education Association submitted a complaint to the National Labor Relations Board, alleging that the college had engaged in unfair labor practices by firing a faculty member because they had engaged in union activity. That case is still pending.

Three organizing committee members said in a statement that this week’s vote is a testament to the power of collective action, but also a call for administrators to be “accountable and transparent partners” in upholding the college’s values.

A spokesperson said the college respects the decision of faculty to pursue collective bargaining, and looks forward to “working collaboratively within this new framework.”

In response to a question about staff concerns with Uzzi’s leadership, the spokesperson said the new president and provost have brought “fresh ideas, priorities and directions” to Thomas.

“We recognize that periods of change can be challenging. As we move forward, we remain committed to open dialogue, transparency, and collaboration,” they said.

The college is aware of the National Labor Relations Board complaint and intends to fully cooperate in the legal process.

“We are committed to fair, consistent and lawful employment practices,” the spokesperson said. “Our focus remains on fostering a positive environment for students, faculty, and staff — and on upholding the mission and values that guide our institution.”

Horton, the professor and union organizer, said she’s happy about the success of the union effort and said faculty worked hard to make it happen. She said her colleagues are looking forward to having a bigger say in how they do their jobs.

Thomas employees join the nearly 1,000 faculty members who are already unionized with the Maine Education Association. That includes employees of Maine’s public community college and university systems.

Thomas is the first private college in Maine to unionize. In 2023, faculty at Bates College in Lewiston rejected an effort to unionize

“Thomas College faculty have taken a powerful step toward ensuring their voices are
respected in shaping the future of their institution,” Jesse Hargrove, president of
the Maine Education Association, said in a statement.