Stony Brook RA Union

On Sunday, February 21st 2010, representatives of the Stony Brook RA Union met with the Social Action Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at Stony Brook located just south of campus on Nicolls Road.  The meeting offered our representatives an opportunity to explain the RAs’ role within the University community, and to bring forth some of the struggles we have encountered in negotiating our first contract.  The Committee has expressed enthusiasm about working with us in the future, and we promised to keep them informed on the status of the negotiations.  The meeting was one of many we are having with various groups in the surrounding community in order to build support for the RA Union.

Pictured: Research Assistant in the Biomedical Engineering Department / member of the RA Bargaining Committee Kasia Sawicka, CWA 1104 Organizing Director Jim McAsey, and the Social Action Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at Stony Brook.

On Thursday February 11th, 2010 representatives of the Stony Brook RA Union met NYS Comptroller Tom DiNapoli at his birthday celebration in New Hyde Park, LI.  The Comptroller has the authority to audit the Research Foundation of SUNY. Comptroller DiNapoli is also a good friend of CWA Local 1104 and was quick to mention that his father was a member of the Local.  We informed him of how the RF has been dragging its feet in settling a fair contract with us and explained how the Research Foundation’s only economic proposal is a $12,000 minimum salary - way below the cost of living.  We also provided him with this handbill.

A fair contract is a human right!

On Wednesday, September 17th, 2009, representatives of the Stony Brook RA Union met with Rev. Robert Smith of the St. James Roman Catholic Church in Setauket.  The purpose of this meeting was to build support for the RA Union in the surrounding community.  We provided Rev. Smith with background information by giving him printouts of several news stories about our campaign (including “Research Assistants’ Union Rally Gets Tangled in Red Tape“, “Research Foundation Under Scrutiny” , “Feds investigate foundation at SUNY“, and “SBU Researchers Protest Lack of Contract“).  Rev. Smith was very enthusiastic about working with us and we plan on keeping him informed of the status of the negotiations.  We will continue to build our relationships with clergy and other community leaders.

Rev. Smith is also the Chair of the Three Village Interfaith Clergy Association.

Pictured: Research Assistant in the Physics Department / member of the RA Bargaining Committee Clint Young, Rev. Robert Smith.

On Wednesday August 5th, 2009 representatives of the Stony Brook RA Union met with NY State Senator Kenneth LaValle of the first senate district in his home office.  The purpose of this meeting was to keep the Senator updated on the progress of our contract negotiations with the Research Foundation (RF).  We informed him of how the RF is being both dismissive and condescending during contract negotiations, which is a slap in the face to all RAs.  We also highlighted how the RF has denied providing raises to RAs who would normally be receiving them and then blamed the union for these denials.  We plan on keeping  Senator Lavalle informed of the status of the union, and appreciate his continuing support for Research Assistants.  This was not the first meeting between representatives from the RA Union and Senator LaValle, and it won’t be the last.

Senator Kenneth LaValle represents the Stony Brook area (the Stony Brook University stadium bears his name) and he is a member of the Higher Education Committee in the NY State Senate.

Pictured:  CWA 1104 Organizing Director Jim McAsey, Senator Kenneth LaValle, Research Assistant in the Biomedical Engineering Department / member of the RA Bargaining Committee Katarzyna Sawicka, Research Assistant in the Biomedical Engineering Department / member of the RA Bargaining Committee Matthew Engel.  

On Tuesday July 14th representatives from the RA Union met with Assemblyman Steve Englebright. The purpose of the meeting was to keep Assemblyman Englebright updated on the progress of the contract negotiations with the Research Foundation (RF). We informed the Assemblyman of how the RF is being unnecessarily dismissive of our contract proposals. We plan on keeping the Assemblyman informed of the status of the union, and appreciate his continuing support for Research Assistants. This was not the first meeting between the RA Union and Assemblyman Englebright and it won’t be the last.

Assemblyman Englebright represents the Stony Brook area and is a member of the Higher Education Committee in the NY State Assembly.

Pictured: Research Assistant in the Physics Department / member of the RA Bargaining Committee Clint Young, Research Assistant in the Microbiology Department / member of the RA Bargaining Committee Kai Wu, Assemblyman Steve Englebright, and CWA 1104 Organizing Director Jim McAsey.

On Friday May 22^nd representatives from the RA Union met with State Senator Toby Stavisky. The purpose of the meeting was to keep Senator Stavisky updated on the progress of the contract negotiations with the Research Foundation (RF). We informed the Senator of how the RF is being unnecessarily dismissive of our contract proposals. We plan on keeping the Senator informed of the status of the union, and appreciate her continuing support for Research Assistants. This was not the first meeting between the RA Union and Senator Stavisky and it won’t be the last.

Senator Stavisky is the Chair of the Higher Education Committee in the NY State Senate.

Pictured: Research Assistant in the Physics Department / member of the RA Bargaining Committee Zvi Citron, Senator Toby Stavisky, and CWA 1104 Organizing Director Jim McAsey.