Somerville councilors, community members voice support for Tufts full‑time lecturers amid contract dispute

Councilors and community members on Tuesday heard testimony from Tufts University lecturers who described what they called long-term salary and workload problems and asked the council to back their bargaining position.

Ted Simpson, a lecturer who said he has taught at Tufts for 22 years, and Brenna Heitzman, a senior lecturer in Romance Studies, testified about lecturers— workload, reliance on merit pay and difficulties keeping pace with rising living costs. "We would be better teachers if we were not overworked and underpaid," Simpson said, describing a contract process he called insufficient and noting Tufts— large endowment.

Brenna Heitzman said negotiations for more than 11 months had focused on manageable workload and salary and described lecturers— extensive student‑facing responsibilities, advising and committee work. "We are student-facing individuals who are not being respected at the table," Heitzman said.

Councilor J.T. Burnley introduced a resolution in support of the lecturers and invited two lecturers to speak. Many councilors publicly signed on to the measure, and councilors in the chamber expressed solidarity and recounted attending a recent walkout on campus.

Councilors said the issue raises questions about Tufts— role as a local institution and employer. Councilor Ben Wilson and others urged the university to bargain in good faith; Councilor McLaughlin, a Tufts alumnus, said the professors and lecturers are central to the university experience.

The council placed the resolution on file and registered broad council support; councilors said they would follow developments as negotiations continue.

Why it matters: Councilors framed the dispute as both a labor issue and a local concern, citing impacts on teaching quality and the city-university relationship.