UAW | United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America
  • About
    • UAW CONSTITUTION
    • PROCEEDINGS BOOKS
    • EXECUTIVE BOARD
    • REGIONS
    • UAW-LUCA
    • COMMUNITY SERVICE
    • SOLIDWEB
    • STRIKE FAQ
    • DUES FAQ
    • MORE INFORMATION
  • Ethics
    • ETHICAL PRACTICE CODES
    • ETHICS HOTLINE FAQ
    • ETHICS HOTLINE: 877-866-9682 
    • ETHICS ONLINE FORM
    • ETHICS REFORMS OVERVIEW / UAW ETHICS OFFICER
  • Members
    • WEINGARTEN RIGHTS CARD
    • 2023 SBC RESOLUTIONS
    • AUTO BARGAINING
      • ARAMARK
      • JONES LANG LASALLE
    • UAW WOMEN
    • STANDING COMMITTEES
      • UAW WOMEN’S COMMITTEE
      • CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS
      • CIVIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS
      • UNION LABEL
      • CITIZENSHIP AND LEGISLATIVE (CAP)
      • EDUCATION
      • CONSUMER AFFAIRS
      • CONSERVATION AND RECREATION
      • VETERANS
      • COMMUNITY SERVICES
      • UAW WOMEN
    • RETIREES
    • IEB ELECTIONS
      • 2022 IEB Elections
      • 2023 RUN-OFF ELECTION INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT CANDIDATE FORUM
      • 2022 INTERNATIONAL OFFICER CAMPAIGN LITERATURE (2023 RUN-OFF)
      • 2023 IEB ELECTION COUNTS
    • TALK TO US!
    • EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
    • HEALTH & SAFETY
    • TECHNICAL OFFICE & PROFESSIONAL (TOP)
    • LOCAL UNION LOG IN
    • SOLIDARITY
    • SOLIDARY MAGAZINE OPT-IN
    • UAW CHAPLAINCY PROGRAM
  • Take Action
  • BIG 3
    • GM
    • FORD
    • STELLANTIS
  • Press
  • Organize
    • AUTOWORKERS: STAND UP!
    • NO UNION = NO RIGHTS
    • CONTACT UAW ORGANIZING
    • A WORKER HAS A RIGHT
  • News
    • MEDIA COVERAGE
  • UAW Made
    • PRODUCTS & SERVICES
  • Monitor
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
Featured, News

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.

June 19, 2024
Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on X
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share by Mail
https://uaw.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/cornellpost.png 732 1438 Justin Mayhugh https://uaw.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/uaw-logo-white-transparent-trademark-300x300.png Justin Mayhugh2024-06-19 20:39:432024-06-19 20:39:44UAW Members at Cornell University Speak Out Ahead of Contract Expiration
You might also like
AW higher ed workers came together as Fair Research Careers Now! To organize against funding freezes – February 19 Day of ActionUAW higher ed workers came together as Fair Research Careers Now! To organize against funding freezes
BMW-RDC Update 5/29/24
Sign the Petition: Ask the DOE to Ensure the Continued Use of Grain-Oriented Electrical Steel
BMW-RDC Update 5/22/24
Bargaining Update 6/6/24
BMW-RDC Local 677 membersBargaining Update 6/27/24

STAY UPDATED

MEMBERS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS: GET UAW ACTION UPDATES ON YOUR PHONE. TEXT “JOIN” TO 99795. SIGN UP FOR UAWIRE AND GET UAW ACTION UPDATES VIA EMAIL: Sign Up

Recent Posts

  • UNION PLUS – CAR RENTAL DISCOUNTS May 6, 2025
  • UAW Statement on Mexico’s SINTTIA Organizing Drive at GM San Luis Potosí May 1, 2025
  • UAW Applauds MI House Dems for “Putting Workers First” Bills, Urges Full Legislature to Pick a Side May 1, 2025

Solidarity Magazine

Solidarity Magazine New Member Issue 2024
UAW Logo

UAW SOLIDARITY HOUSE

8000 East Jefferson Avenue
Detroit, Michigan 48214

(313) 926-5000

Union Plus Logo

Connect

  • Press Inquiries
  • Get UAW Action Alerts – Text “JOIN” to “99795”
  • Get Email Updates

Organize

  • Non-Union Autoworkers Stand Up!
  • Want to Organize with the UAW?

Latest News

UNION PLUS – CAR RENTAL DISCOUNTS

https://uaw.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/CarRental_1200x675.jpg 675 1200 Roy Escandon https://uaw.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/uaw-logo-white-transparent-trademark-300x300.png Roy Escandon2025-05-06 08:34:242025-05-06 08:34:24UNION PLUS – CAR RENTAL DISCOUNTS

UAW Statement on Mexico’s SINTTIA Organizing Drive at GM San Luis Potosí

https://uaw.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/UAW-Wheel-generic-feature.jpg 576 1024 Justin Mayhugh https://uaw.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/uaw-logo-white-transparent-trademark-300x300.png Justin Mayhugh2025-05-01 14:28:472025-05-01 14:28:47UAW Statement on Mexico’s SINTTIA Organizing Drive at GM San Luis Potosí

UAW Applauds MI House Dems for “Putting Workers First” Bills, Urges Full Legislature to Pick a Side

https://uaw.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/JJewellMIDemLeg.jpg 845 1200 Justin Mayhugh https://uaw.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/uaw-logo-white-transparent-trademark-300x300.png Justin Mayhugh2025-05-01 12:11:492025-05-01 14:37:44UAW Applauds MI House Dems for “Putting Workers First” Bills, Urges Full Legislature to Pick a Side
People's Voice Winner Award
Webby Award Logo

© 2023 UAW - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Privacy Policy  |  iSynergy Website Design
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Youtube
  • Vimeo
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
Bargaining Update 6/18/2024BMW-RDC Practice Picket in Nazareth, PA.Bargaining Update 6/19/2024
Scroll to top
Get Member Info

Get Member Updates

This secure form is for collecting your information for union communication purposes only.

  • Used for member verification purposes only. Numbers only. Ex: 1234
  • Numbers only. Ex: 2330