2/21/10 RA Union meets with local congregation
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.
2/11/10 Meeting with Comptroller DiNapoli
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.
The former NY Comptroller’s audit in 2005 concluded that “the SUNY Research Foundation has made millions in questionable purchases and payments that, in some cases, would not be acceptable under the rules that govern the State University system. This is highly inappropriate and it is unfair to the students and faculty on all SUNY campuses – and indeed to all New Yorkers.” The Union has not yet formally requested that Comptroller DiNapoli conduct an audit of the RF. We hope to reach a fair contract with the RF before it comes to that.
Comptroller Tom DiNapoli is the chief fiscal officer for New York State.
Pictured: Research Assistant in the Psychology Department / RA Union Division Coordinator Westri Stalder, Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, Research Assistant in the Biomedical Engineering Department / member of the RA Union Bargaining Committee Matthew Engel.
11/30/09 SUNY Stony Brook research assistants seeking contract
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.
10/23/09 Press coverage from demonstration
Please click on the title to read any news story
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SB officially welcomes 5th president Newsday October 23, 2009 |
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Grad Student Rally Ends in Controversy Stony Brook Independent October 24, 2009 |
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5th Prez Inaugurated During Tough Times The Statesman October 25, 2009 |
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This is How the University Handles Dissent The Stony Brook Press November 15, 2009 |
9/17/09 Meeting with Reverend Smith
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.
