This publication reviews the history of the Professional Staff Congress (PSC) of the City University of New York (CUNY), which in 1997 celebrated its 25th anniversary, commemorating the 1972 merger of the institution's Legislative Conference and the United Federation of College Teachers, two previously rival unions. The first chapter covers the union's origins, the differing perspectives of its parent organizations, and the steps toward merger. The second chapter addresses the effects of the New York City fiscal crisis in the 1970s. It recalls the series of budgetary cuts imposed on the university, a retrenchment proposal, the PSC fight for full state funding, various restructuring plans, the shutdown of CUNY, and the achievement of full state funding. The third chapter covers 1980s, which is seen as a decade of advance. Subsections review the continuing battles against budget cuts, the Cuomo years, protection of retiree benefits, contractual gains, strengthening of the welfare fund, establishment of a credit union, and the establishment of scholarships. The final chapter, covering the 1990s, sees the decade as a period of defending PSC achievements, including agreement on a new contract, weathering new problems, restoration of some cuts, and a PSC lawsuit in the State Supreme Court. Timelines at the end of each chapter list important events. (DB)