UAW Cornell Members Voice Concerns Before Contract Ends

UAW Local 2300 Members Voice Concerns Over Working Conditions at Cornell University

UAW Local 2300 members employed at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, are expressing concerns over deteriorating living standards and working conditions. This is despite Cornell's nearly $10 billion endowment. Contract bargaining between the union and the university commenced on June 4, with the current agreement set to expire on June 30.

"We are the Heart, Soul, and Backbone of Cornell" - Union Workers Speak Out

The UAW released a video titled, "We are the Heart, Soul, and Backbone of Cornell," in which workers share their difficulties in coping with climbing cost of living while wages remain stagnant. Over 1,000 members of UAW Local 2300 are urging for a living wage, inflation-adjusted cost-of-living increments, and increased staffing, among other critical demands. The video is accessible and available for media use.

Living Standards and Working Conditions at Cornell Deteriorate Amid Rising Endowment

Workers such as Gopini Lama, a food service worker, reveal in the video that, "Everything doubled, but our pay did not double." Over the past year, the university's endowment has ballooned by 39%, while many employees find it increasingly difficult to afford living in Ithaca or campus parking fees.

Cornell Workers Struggling with Short Staffing and Lack of Adequate Compensation

Workers like Mitja Bontempo, a gardener, and Leo Louis, a greenhouse grower, express their dissatisfaction with their compensation and the chronic shortage of staff. Bontempo shares, "I don’t have the money to marry and have kids if I want to. We are not adequately recognized and compensated," while Louis adds, "We’re chronically short-staffed... you’re more likely to lose more people."

Negotiations Amid Rising Unionization in US Universities

The negotiations come amidst a historic wave of unionization sweeping across colleges and universities nationwide as workers continue to rally for justice in their workplaces.