Stony Brook RA Union

By Lee Lutz

September 10, 2009 | 11:12 AM

Freshmen who arrived on the Stony Brook University campus only last week may wonder if boisterous rallies with dozens of sign-carrying protestors is the norm at their new home. On Tuesday the union representing research assistants at SBU held a loud noontime rally outside the Melville Library, then marched en masse to the offices of Vice President for Research Gail Habicht, on the library’s fourth floor. It was there the group delivered a letter protesting the slow pace of negotiations between Local 1104 of the Communications Workers of America, which represents the RA’s, and the Research Foundation of SUNY in Albany, representing the interests of the state university system.

The RA’s had lots of support from fellow union members, including the United University Professions, which represent SBU faculty, Long Island laborers and machinists locals and the Long Island Federation of Labor. Also speaking in support of the graduate students was Leg. Kate Browning (WF-Shirley), “a proud union member,” who told the crowd of about 75 attending the rally, “Anything you need, I’m here for you.” 

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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.

RA Union Assembly

7pm Tuesday April 21st, 2009

SAC 226

The agenda as of right now:

1. An update from the bargaining table.
2. Our campaign to pressure the Research Foundation to agree to a great first contract.
3. Continued conversation about the future structure of our union.

What:  Union demonstration
Who:  Research Assistants Union / CWA 1104
Why:  To build power to win a groundbreaking first contract
Where:  At the office of a Research Foundation Board Member’s corporate office – 42nd St btw 3rd Ave and Lexington Ave
When:  Friday April 3rd at 2pm

If you are interested / able to attend this demonstration and would like to arrange for car pooling, please call 631-375-1144 or email info@sbraunion.org

RA Union Assembly

7pm Thursday March 12th, 2009

SAC 227

The agenda as of right now:

1. An overview of our current Bargaining Committee and the proposed method for electing departmental coordinators, whose duties will include being on the bargaining committee. (Note: There will be a small stipend associated with the Departmental Coordinator position.)
2.  An overview of the non-economic contract proposals we have been working on for our first bargaining session with the Research Foundation on Monday March 16th.
3. Continued conversation about the future structure of our union.
4. Our campaign to pressure the Research Foundation to agree to a great first contract.

Welcome! Please come out and join the Stony Brook RA Union for our first official assembly since gaining official recognition from the NLRB, SUNY Research Foundation, and SUNY Stony Brook.  

• Proposed structure
• Bylaws
• Membership involvement and leadership
• Affiliation with local CWA 1104

George Bloom, local CWA 1104 President will be attending, this is a good opportunity to meet and ask questions.