Excerpts from magazine and newspaper interviews with the president of the American Federation of Teachers concerning unions and collective bargaining at colleges and universities are presented. Topics concern: professionalism and economic self-interest, unions and freedom of inquiry, merit pay, academic elitism, the political influence of college teachers, faculty participation in governance, defining university management, the shrinking academic job market, tenure under attack, productivity in education, unions and affirmative action, and the role of college members in the American Federation of Teachers. It is shown that collective bargaining has dealt with economic conditions and due process procedures and does not conflict with professionalism. Collective bargaining and a union protect academic freedom and promote fairness in faculty salaries rather than relying on subjective decisions. Faculty members could be a potent political force in higher education, which depends on the tax structure and on public policy. For the most part, faculty senates have not had power in college governance, but they could continue to coexist with unions. The need to guarantee job stability for senior faculty and to provide educational programs for nontraditional students is addressed. Disagreement with efforts to promote productivity in higher education is expressed. (SW)