Faculty unions have also worked to ensure that minoritized faculty have a consistent voice within their union. Although all members will be part of any contract negotiations and will vote on the end agreement, it is still important to provide specific avenues for the representation of groups that have been historically marginalized in higher education.

Many faculty unions have created standing committees oriented around diversity, equity and inclusion. For example, the University of Akron AAUP constitution establishes a standing diversity committee charged with studying “matters relating to the professional and economic status of women, people of color, sexual minorities, members of minority ethnic groups, or people with disabilities who are faculty at the university” (p 8).

Other faculty unions have created specific positions within executive leadership to represent historically marginalized groups. The California Faculty Association has an Associate Vice President for Racial and Social Justice position on their board of directors. The board also includes two representations for CFA’s Council for Racial and Social Justice. United Academics at the University of Oregon has an elected Vice President of Diversity and Equity that serves on their executive board.