Research Foundation Under Federal Investigation
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Feds probe $UNY New York Post September 15, 2009 |
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SUNY’s use of federal cash investigated New York Post September 14, 2009 |
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Feds investigate foundation at SUNY Times Union September 14, 2009 |
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SUNY’s research funding probed The Buffalo News September 12, 2009 |
SBU Researchers Protest Lack of Contract
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.”
Meeting with Senator LaValle
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.
Meeting with Assemblyman Englebright
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.
The Bargaining Continues
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| The Stony Brook Press |
| June 9th, 2009 |
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What do they want? A fair and equal contract for every Research Assistant. When do they want it? Last semester, actually. Since the union’s establishment at the end of the Fall 2008 semester, members of the Communication Workers of America Local 1104 have been actively working to ensure fairer wages, more favorable benefits and better job security for Research Assistants at Stony Brook University. Amidst reports of anti-union campaigning by the Research Foundation, the private entity that employs the RA’s, graduate students here at Stony Brook voted to unionize in December 2008. Soon after, union organizers set to work on a contract for RA’s that was on their terms. “[Our goal is] a contract with a robust grievance procedure that ensures that RAs are treated fairly and protected from exploitive or inappropriate treatment by our employers,†said Zvi Citron, an RA in the physics department and member of the bargaining committee. To date, however, organizers have met with a dismissive and unresponsive RF. |
Click here for full story with pictures
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Meeting with State Senator Stavisky
On Friday May 22nd 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 NYC demo: Fri 4/3 2pm
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
Next Open RA Union Assembly – March 12, 2009
RA Union Assembly
7pm Thursday March 12th, 2009
SAC 227
The agenda as of right now:
- 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.)
- 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.
- Continued conversation about the future structure of our union.
- Our campaign to pressure the Research Foundation to agree to a great first contract.
