Philosophy Faculty Union in Novi Sad announces warning strike: Demand Senate re-vote on Professor Mihić's reappointment

The Independent Trade Union of the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Novi Sad has announced a one-hour warning strike scheduled for Tuesday, June 9, starting at 12:00 PM. The action is set to take place in front of the faculty building, signaling a dispute over the reappointment process of Professor Vladimir Mihić.

Union members have presented three key demands to the faculty's management. Foremost among these is the requirement for the employer to ensure, through all legal means, that the report on Vladimir Mihić's reappointment is discussed and publicly voted upon at the next session of the University Senate. This public vote is stipulated by the University's regulations on acquiring academic titles and employment.

Furthermore, the union seeks the recusal of Professor Patrik Drid from participating in the Senate session concerning Mihić's reappointment. The union cites Drid's alleged admission that his decision-making was "primarily (if not solely) motivated by personal reasons." Additionally, the union demands that Professor Mihić be offered an addendum to his employment contract, which would remain in effect until all related legal proceedings are concluded.

The Independent Trade Union expressed strong protest regarding the Senate's procedures in deciding Mihić's reappointment. They point to the secret ballot held on June 4, 2026, which resulted in 8 votes for, 4 against, and 6 abstentions. According to Article 7 of the University's regulations, voting on academic appointments at Senate sessions must be public, a procedure they claim was violated. The union argues that the Senate failed to follow the prescribed procedure, which requires either a majority vote for the report, a majority vote to reject it, or a conclusion that more information is needed.

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Prema članu 7 Pravilnika o načinu i postupku sticanja zvanja i zasnivanja radnog odnosa nastavnika Univerziteta u Novom Sadu, javnost glasanja o izboru u zvanje na sednici Senata je eksplicitno propisana, što je u slučaju poslednje sednice Senata prekršeno