Stony Brook RA Union

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!

CWA, UUP, NYSUT, PEF and CSEA join cause

By Allison Roselle

November 30, 2009

Dozens of union workers and graduate students rallied on Nov. 20 at the entrance of the State University of New York Research Foundation demanding an initial, “fair” contract for graduate research assistant students.

The protestors carried signs with slogans that read “no contracts, no peace” and “support RA

Union,” while chanting, “Who are we? RA Union. What do we want? Contracts.”

A large, blow-up “corporate pig,” dressed in a top hat and bow tie with dollar signs in his eyes and a cigar in his mouth, stood in front of the Research Foundation doors as about three dozen protesters rallied on the sidewalk.

The RA Union, which includes about 740 SUNY Stony Brook student research assistants through the Communications Workers of America Local 1104, has been in the process of negotiating with the Research Foundation to secure a contract that provides fee waivers, job security and medical, dental and vision benefits since the union was formed in Dec. 2008.

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	SB officially welcomes 5th president Newsday October 23, 2009
	Grad Student Rally Ends in Controversy Stony Brook Independent October 24, 2009
	5th Prez Inaugurated During Tough Times The Statesman October 25, 2009
	This is How the University Handles Dissent The Stony Brook Press November 15, 2009

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.

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	Feds probe $UNY New York Post September 15, 2009
	SUNY’s use of federal cash investigated New York Post September 14, 2009
	Feds investigate foundation at SUNY Times Union  September 14, 2009
	SUNY’s research funding probed The Buffalo News  September 12, 2009