1,000+ UAW Members Strike at Cornell University

The Facts -

ITHACA – Major Strike by Over 1,000 UAW Members at Cornell University

ITHACA – Over 1,000 UAW members have gone on strike at Cornell University after months of stalled negotiations. The university has failed to present a fair package and has not bargained in good faith, retaliating against union activities.

The striking workers, including maintenance staff, dining workers, gardeners, custodians, and more, face declining real wages amid Cornell’s booming endowment and tuition revenue. Over four years, Cornell’s endowment grew 39% to nearly $10 billion, with tuition increasing 13%, while workers' buying power fell 5%.

Many workers have had to move out of Ithaca due to housing costs and pay high parking fees. Most earn less than $22 per hour, far below the estimated cost of living in the region. Top administrators' compensation exceeded $12.4 million in 2022.

“Workers at Cornell are fed up with exploitation. The university prefers hoarding wealth over fair pay,” said UAW Local 2300 President Christine Johnson. “Cornell could have settled this weeks ago but chose to break federal law. We’re done playing around.”

UAW Local 2300 filed seven unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) against Cornell University for violating workers’ rights during negotiations.

“Cornell’s arrogance and greed are unacceptable. With a $10 billion endowment, they can afford our demands,” stated UAW Region 9 Director Daniel Vicente. “Members of Local 2300 are showing they’ll fight for what they deserve.”

Cornell University workers join thousands of UAW members who’ve won record contracts this year, including auto workers at Daimler Truck, the Big Three automakers, and Allison Transmission workers in Indianapolis, IN.

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