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December 25, 2008
Happy holidays! On 12/23/08 the National Labor Relations Board mailed us this document which officially certifies us as a union. Now we are requesting our first bargaining session with the Research Foundation. Click on the PDF to view the National Labor Relations Board Certification |
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| Stony Brook Statesman |
| December 8, 2008 |
| The purpose of this article is to describe the recent activities of graduate students at Stony Brook University and to explain how and why we formed a union, from my own perspective.
There are three main points: (1) I love Stony Brook University. It has assisted in turning me from a student into a professional. (2) I believe that this union will benefit the school and its students. (3) Graduate students should be allowed to organize their union peacefully without interference as they voted to do so on Dec. 5, 2008. Stony Brook University conducts a tremendous amount of research in engineering, chemical, physical and life sciences. The majority of this research is enthusiastically conducted by graduate students, who are termed Research Assistants (RA’s). These RA’s come from all over the globe to attend graduate school here, learn from Stony Brook’s internationally renowned professors, and to conduct their cutting edge research in pursuit of a Ph.D. These same RA’s are technically employed by the Research Foundation, a private commercial non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation. This non-profit tax designation gives the Research Foundation the best of both worlds: a non-profit company with no taxable income and a private commerical employer who has no official obligation to make any of their financial data accesible to the public. |
Click here for full story
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| The Stony Brook Statesman |
| December 10, 2008 |
| Stony Brook University research assistants voted “yes” on Friday to the formation of a union. The vote passed 214 to 135, and the National Labor Relations board now officially recognizes the research assistants. Now that the vote passed the assistants will create a contract that will include everyone’s interests. Moreover, the contract will not be passed unless everyone votes yes on it. The union will provide the assistants with job security, a pay raise that will bring them to the average of other universities, and a grievance system among other things. “Our goal is to give research assistants at Stony Brook a voice,” according to the unions website. |
Click here for full story |
December 7, 2008
In a vote of 214-135 tallied Friday evening, the research assistants – all doctoral students – decided to join Local 1104 of the Communications Workers of America. There are about 745 research assistants at Stony Brook, organizers said.
To read more, please click here.
Recently more members of US Congress that represent LI sent a letter to the RF in support of us. Also, the Republican State Assembly delegation from LI have now joined the Democratic delegation in calling on the RF to respect our union.
click on thumbnail for full screen pdf
Congratulations! We’re union! We’re now certified as a bargaining unit by the NLRB and have the right to negotiate with the Research Foundation. Ballots were counted Friday night, December 5th, with a room full of union supporters and several representatives from the Research Foundation.
Sixty-one percent (214) voted for our union, and 39% (135) voted no, with a margin of victory of over 20%. We sent the Research Foundation a message loud and clear, “we’re united and we’re ready to bargain.”
We should all congratulate each other on this big victory, and thank each other for our hard work and for coming together to make this happen. Our unity moving forward is crucial because the stronger our union, the better the contract.
Hello friends!!
As you all know, the voting for our RA Union is taking place:
Please bring your ID.
Please click on the title to read any news story
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RAs Allowed Union Will Vote for Formation The Stony Brook Statesman December 4, 2008 |
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Your Vote Really Matters SBGradMag December 1, 2008 |
Today RAs are coming together to have a voice and gain the right to bargain with the Research Foundation (RF). Currently, we have very little say in major decisions that happen at the RF regarding Stony Brook University, but by working together as a democratic union we will have the ability to negotiate a raise in stipend for all RAs, fee waivers, and even better health insurance. This survey is designed to inform the RA negotiating team of your priorities. But remember that we have no say in any of these things until we win the election this Friday, December 5th. (SAC 311 9am-12pm and also 3pm-6pm. Bring ID)
Make your voice heard and fill out
Yesterday, on November 30th, the Albany Times Union reported “Ties to SUNY bring payout: Board members, private lobbyists, hockey team among research foundation contractors.” Read the full article to see details of more questionable spending at the Research Foundation. Why does the RF not want us to form a union?
…The payments are listed in a document that a person at the secretive research foundation showed a reporter, who was barred from making photocopies.
Read the article and you’ll probably agree that it’s because we, as some of the lowest paid employees of the RF, have a lot to gain with a seat at the bargaining table. When we form a union this December 5th we’ll have the right to negotiate directly with the RF. We can help the RF become more transparent and accountable. Together we can help Stony Brook University become a better place, and make the RF a better employer.
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