Three Things for March 18
1. Faculty at Howard University threaten to go on strike
Hundreds of faculty members at Howard University in Washington, D.C. have threatened to go on strike with complaints of unfair working conditions.
During a demonstration on Wednesday, March 16, students and alumni leaders supported the faculty as they argued against low pay for non-tenured, full-time teaching faculty and adjunct professors.
According to NPR, “some faculty members say if an agreement is not reached with the university by Friday, they will execute a strike starting next week.”
"The University leadership has made clear that a better teaching environment and better learning environment is unimportant to them," said contingent faculty leader and Howard alumnus Cyrus Hampton, according to SEIU.
A statement from the university says they “remained diligent” in its interaction with the union representation and the university officials in reaching an agreement.
"We have made proposals for wage increases for union faculty and continue to bargain in good faith," the university said in a statement. "Howard faculty play a vital role in our community. We will continue working together with our faculty to ensure their success and the success of Howard students."
2. Porsche AG discusses joint project with Apple
Porsche CEO announced his team has been discussing possible joint projects with Apple and other tech companies.
According to Reuters, “Blume said Porsche and Apple traditionally cooperate closely and that they were on the same wavelength but added that it was too soon to make any decisions on future projects.”
"We already have Apple CarPlay, we will expand on that," Chief Executive Oliver Blume said during a video conference.
3. Car crash in Texas leaves nine dead
Nine died in a car crash on Tuesday, March 15 when a pickup truck driven by a 13-year old crashed into a van with members from a New Mexico university golf team inside.
According to National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Vice Chairman, Bruce Landsberg, investigations revealed there was a spare wheel on the left front wheel that “seemed to have failed” causing the truck to swerve.
“The wheel did not appear to be an emergency-use "doughnut" spare, but was similar to the rest of the tires. The left front tire had a steel rim that remained intact while the three other tires were extensively damaged,” said NBC.
The van contained members from the University of the Southwest men’s and women’s golf teams. Six of the students were killed in the crash along with the coach. The 13-year-old driver and another passenger from the pickup truck were also killed.
Landsberg shared the NTSB is an independent agency that will investigate the crash but is not involved with potential criminal charges.
