PITTSFORD, N.Y. — Adjunct faculty at Nazareth College is looking to unionize.

They filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board to join the Service Employees International Union, a part of Local 200 United.

A small group of faculty delivered a petition to College President Daan Braveman’s office, asking the administration to remain neutral and allow a fair election process.

Nazareth College President Daan Braveman released a statement Wednesday afternoon:

“Nazareth respects and supports each part-time faculty member’s right to make a personal decision about participation in union activity. Consistent with our values, we respect the rights of our part-time faculty members to decide whether to  engage in this activity. We believe that a decision whether or not to seek union representation is a personal decision, and one that should be free from pressure. 

One of the great strengths of Nazareth College is the positive and collaborative working relationship with our entire faculty. Nazareth endeavors to build upon the strength of this relationship, in service to our students and our campus community."

Nearly 300 adjuncts teach at Nazareth on a semester-by-semester basis, without the promise of continued employment.

The Service Employees International Union represents more than 25,000 adjunct and contingent faculty across the country.