UAW Members Ratify Historic Contract at Cornell with COLA, No Tiers

The Facts -

UAW Members at Cornell University Secure Historic Contract

ITHACA – UAW members at Cornell University celebrated a significant victory as 77% voted to ratify a new four-year contract. This agreement ensures wage increases up to 25.4%, a pioneering cost of living allowance (COLA), and the removal of the two-tier wage system. Policies on time off, uniforms, weather, and safety have also seen notable improvements.

The contract follows a strike by maintenance, facilities, dining, gardening, custodial, agriculture, and horticulture workers on August 18, pushing Cornell to meet their demands.

Initially, Cornell proposed $37 million in new wages and benefits, insufficient to address declining real wages and Ithaca's rising housing costs. Post-strike negotiations secured an additional $6 million, culminating in $43 million in new wage and benefit investments, including the introduction of COLA to protect against inflation.

In the past four years, Cornell’s endowment surged 39% to nearly $10 billion, and tuition rose 13%, while workers’ purchasing power dropped by 5%.

“The membership was ready to do things differently in these negotiations,” said UAW Local 2300 President Christine Johnson. “We united around clear demands and won a great agreement that rewards our work, enhances workplace safety, and improves our lives.”

Workers will resume their shifts starting at 10:00 p.m.

Cornell University workers join a growing group of UAW members challenging the billionaire class. Recent victories include record contracts for auto workers at Daimler Truck, the Big Three automakers, and Allison Transmission workers in Indianapolis, IN.

---
Read More USA Works News