Tag Archive for: Local 2300

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UAW Members Ratify Unprecedented Contract at Cornell University that Secures First-Time COLA Increase and Ends Tiers

ITHACA – In a major win for higher education workers, UAW members at Cornell University have voted by 77% to ratify a new four-year contract securing wage increases of up to 25.4%, a groundbreaking first-time cost of living allowance increase, and the elimination of the two-tier wage system. The agreement also introduces significant improvements to policies on time off, uniforms, inclement weather and safety protections.

The deal comes after workers at Cornell, made up of maintenance and facilities workers, dining workers, gardeners, custodians, agriculture and horticulture workers and others, went on strike August 18 and forced the university to meet their demands.

Prior to the strike, Cornell was offering $37 million in new wages and benefits over the life of the contract, which workers knew would not be enough to counter declining real wages and skyrocketing housing costs in Ithaca. After striking, the workers were able to win another $6 million in investments to eliminate tiers, pay living wages, and introduce COLA to protect wages from inflation. All told, the new agreement includes $43 million in new wage and benefit costs.

Over the past four years, Cornell’s endowment has soared 39% to nearly $10 billion and tuition has increased 13% – all while workers’ buying power has fallen 5%.

“The membership was ready to do things differently in these negotiations, and they built the collective power to force Cornell to say ‘Yes’ to a truly unprecedented contract,” said UAW Local 2300 President Christine Johnson. “We united around a clear set of demands and won a great agreement that rewards our work, enhances workplace safety, and will improve our members’ lives.”

Workers will return to work for their next shift starting at 10:00 p.m.

Cornell University workers are the latest UAW members standing up to the billionaire class. Thousands of UAW members have won record contracts in the last year, including auto workers at Daimler Truck, the Big Three automakers, and Allison Transmission workers in Indianapolis, IN.

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UAW Reaches Tentative Agreement with Cornell University

ITHACA – UAW members at Cornell University have secured a historic tentative agreement, which includes record wage increases of up to 25.4%, a cost of living adjustment, and the elimination of the two-tier wage system. The agreement also introduces significant improvements to policies on time off, uniforms, inclement weather and safety protections. This deal follows an unfair labor practice strike by Cornell workers, which forced the university to offer a contract that truly reflects the workers’ immense value.

“Workers at Cornell were fed up with being exploited and disrespected,” said UAW Local 2300 President Christine Johnson. “This agreement is going to mean a better life for the people who make Cornell run.”

The membership, made up of maintenance and facilities workers, dining workers, gardeners, custodians, agriculture and horticulture workers and others, have been facing declining real wages even as Cornell’s endowment has ballooned and tuition revenue has skyrocketed. Over the past four years, Cornell’s endowment has soared 39% to nearly $10 billion and tuition has increased 13% – all while workers’ buying power has fallen 5%.

Many of the workers have had to move out of Ithaca to afford housing and must pay expensive parking fees to park on campus. The wage for most at the university is less than $22 per hour, far lower than what economists estimate it costs for a family to live in the region. The compensation for top administrators exceeded $12.4 million in 2022.

For weeks, workers ramped up their campaign to win a record contract. They organized red shirt days and held multiple rallies across campus, with community leaders and elected officials often joining them to offer their support.

On August 16, members voted by 94% to authorize a strike, and walked out at 10:00 pm on Sunday, August 18, sending a clear message to Cornell that workers would use their collective strength to stand up against their low-ball tactics.

“The workers at Cornell used their power to push back on Cornell’s arrogance and win a great contract,” said UAW Region 9 Director Daniel Vicente. “They stood together and showed the university that they were willing to do what was needed to win what they deserve.”

The membership will vote to ratify the package on Sunday, Sept. 1 and Monday, Sept 2.

Cornell University workers are the latest UAW members standing up to the billionaire class. Thousands of UAW members have won record contracts in the last year, including auto workers at Daimler Truck, the Big Three automakers, and Allison Transmission workers in Indianapolis, IN.

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Over 1,000 UAW Members Go On Strike at Cornell University

ITHACA – After months of negotiations, over 1,000 UAW members have walked out on strike at Cornell University, as the university has failed to present a fair package and has not bargained in good faith, stalling and retaliating against protected union activity by the workers.

The membership, made up of maintenance and facilities workers, dining workers, gardeners, custodians, agriculture and horticulture workers and others, are facing declining real wages even as Cornell’s endowment has ballooned and tuition revenue has skyrocketed. Over the past four years, Cornell’s endowment has soared 39% to nearly $10 billion and tuition has increased 13% – all while workers’ buying power has fallen 5%. 

Many of the workers have had to move out of Ithaca to afford housing and must pay expensive parking fees to park on campus. The wage for most at the university is less than $22 per hour, far lower than what economists estimate it costs for a family to live in the region. The compensation for top administrators exceeded $12.4 million in 2022.

“Workers at Cornell are fed up with being exploited and used. The university would much rather hoard its wealth and power than pay its workers fairly,” said UAW Local 2300 President Christine Johnson. “Cornell could have settled this weeks ago. Instead, they’ve scoffed and laughed at us and broken federal law. We’re done playing around.”

UAW Local 2300 recently filed seven separate unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) against Cornell University, citing violations of workers’ rights and federal labor laws amid ongoing contract negotiations.

“The workers at Cornell are pushing back against the university’s arrogance and greed. With a $10 billion endowment, the administration can more than afford the members’ demands,” said UAW Region 9 Director Daniel Vicente. “Workers in Local 2300 are showing the university that they are willing to do what’s needed to win what they deserve.”

Cornell University workers are the latest UAW members standing up to billionaire class greed. Thousands of UAW members have won record contracts in the last year, including auto workers at Daimler Truck, the Big Three automakers, and Allison Transmission workers in Indianapolis, IN.

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UAW Members at Cornell University Vote to Authorize Strike, If Necessary

ITHACA – In a historic turnout, workers at Cornell University voted by 94% to authorize a strike if necessary. The contract covers more than 1,200 custodians, groundskeepers, cooks, food service workers, greenhouse workers, gardeners, mechanics and others and expired on June 30. 

The membership, made up of maintenance and facilities workers, dining workers, gardeners, custodians, transportation workers and others, are facing declining real wages even as Cornell’s endowment has ballooned, and tuition revenue has skyrocketed. Over the past four years, Cornell’s endowment has soared 39% to nearly $10 billion and tuition has increased 13% – all while workers’ buying power has fallen 5%.  

Many of the workers have had to move out of Ithaca to afford housing and must pay expensive parking fees to park on campus. The wage for most at the university is less than $22 per hour, far lower than what economists estimate it costs for a family to live in the region. The compensation for top administrators exceeded $12.4 million in 2022. 

“We’re the heart, soul and backbone of Cornell. Students and faculty depend on us to make the campus run, but we haven’t seen pay raises that keep up. In fact, we’re falling behind,” said UAW Local 2300 President Christine Johnson. “We’re united and ready to join the stand up movement if we need to so we can get our fair share.” 

UAW Local 2300 recently filed seven separate unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) against Cornell University, citing violations of workers’ rights and federal labor laws amid ongoing contract negotiations. 

Cornell University workers are the latest UAW members standing up to corporate greed. Thousands of UAW members have won record contracts in the last year, including auto workers at Daimler Truck, the Big Three automakers, and Allison Transmission workers in Indianapolis, IN. 

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UAW Files Seven Unfair Labor Practice Charges Against Cornell University Amid Contract Talks

ITHACA — Over the past few weeks, the UAW has filed seven separate unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) against Cornell University, citing violations of workers’ rights and federal labor laws amid ongoing contract negotiations. The agreement, covering more than 1,200 workers, expired at midnight on Sunday, June 30.

In response to these charges, UAW Local 2300 President Christine Johnson stated, “Our members are the backbone of Cornell, yet the administration thinks it can divide us and intimidate us by distributing union busting talking points to managers and stomping on our rights. These unfair labor practice charges are a necessary step to keep Cornell in check. Instead of breaking our union, Cornell should be focused on negotiating a record contract without violating the law.”

The charges filed with the NLRB cite various violations by Cornell University, including but not limited to: 

Retaliation Against Union Activities: The UAW asserts that Cornell University has engaged in retaliatory actions against workers who have participated in union activities or expressed support for the union.

Interference with Workers’ Rights: The UAW claims that Cornell University has unlawfully interfered with workers’ rights to organize, bargain collectively, and engage in other concerted activities for mutual aid and protection.

Discrimination Against Union Members: The charges cite discriminatory treatment against workers based on their union membership or activities.

Failure to Bargain in Good Faith: The UAW contends that Cornell University has failed to bargain in good faith with the union regarding wages, benefits, and working conditions.

Cornell workers are demanding an agreement that reflects wealth Cornell has amassed and  includes the long overdue fair wages and working conditions workers deserve.

The membership, made up of maintenance and facilities workers, dining workers, gardeners, custodians, transportation workers and others, are facing declining real wages even as Cornell’s endowment has ballooned and tuition revenue has skyrocketed. Over the past four years, Cornell’s endowment has soared 39% to nearly $10 billion and tuition has increased 13% – all while workers’ buying power has fallen 5%.

On the heels of the UAW’s historic Stand Up Strike and record contracts with the Big Three automakers, and as tens of thousands of workers across the country continue organizing to join the UAW, workers at Cornell University are standing up for fair pay, cost of living adjustments (COLA), and a better future for the working class. 

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UAW Members at Cornell University Speak Out Ahead of Contract Expiration

UAW Local 2300 members who work at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, are speaking out about unsustainable working conditions and declining living standards despite the institution’s nearly $10 billion endowment. The union and Cornell kicked off contract bargaining on June 4 and the current agreement expires on June 30.

In a new video released by the UAW, “We are the Heart, Soul, and Backbone of Cornell,” workers share their struggles to make ends meet as their wages have stagnated and the cost of living continues to rise. Over 1,000 members of UAW Local 2300 are demanding a living wage, cost-of-living adjustments to protect against inflation, and increased staffing, among other key demands.

The video can be accessed here, and the media is invited to use the footage.

“House is double. Tax is double. Food is double. And tuition is double also,” Gopini Lama, a food service worker at Cornell, says in the video. “Everything doubled, but our pay did not double.”

Since 2020, the university’s endowment has increased by a staggering 39% while many workers can no longer afford to live in Ithaca or even pay for parking on campus.

“I don’t own a single thing in this life except for a 12-year-old car,” says Mitja Bontempo, a gardener at the university. “I don’t have the money to marry and have kids if I want to. They take us for granted. We are not adequately recognized and compensated. That’s the bottom line.”

“We’re chronically short-staffed. We’re chronically dealing with at least one or two positions absent,” says Leo Louis, a greenhouse grower at Cornell. “So that’s where you get into a situation where you’re working seven, eight days in a row. But you don’t get overtime, so workers burn out. So, then you’re more likely to lose more people.”

Negotiations are taking place at Cornell during a historic wave of unionization at college and universities across the country as workers continue to stand up and demand justice on and off the job.

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