Stony Brook RA Union

We’re organizing for our fair share

As we better understand the Research Foundation, our ability to make real gains at the bargaining table becomes more real. The Research Foundation might paint a picture that things are as good as they can get, yet according to a Nov. 16, 2008 Albany Times Union Article

the Research Foundation is harboring at least $100 million….and Foundation officials refuse to release a list of people on the payroll, which would include friends and relatives of prominent politicians and several people working in foreign nations with salaries as high as $380,000 a year.

In these times of economic uncertainty, the RF has a surplus! It’s only fair that we have a say in how that surplus is spent, rather than leave it up to a few people to make all the decisions to enrich themselves. Furthermore, in times where there may not be a surplus, we should also have a say in how decisions that affect us are made.

When we vote to form a union on December 5th, we’ll have a legal right to negotiate directly with the Research Foundation, and together we can work to get more money for ourselves and our PIs. While we are all busy pursuing our degrees, together we can pool our resources to pursue a raise, eliminate our fees, and promote fairness. Join us in voting Union Yes! Finally, remember, we won’t pay a cent in union dues until we approve a contract that benefits us.

Read the full article Nov. 16, 2008 article at Albany Times Union

In Solidarity,

Stony Brook RA Organizing Committee

FACT: According to a recent NYS Audit, the Research Foundation spent $137,500 in “discretionary” housing payments to two campus presidents who already receive free housing from SUNY. ¹

FACT: The Research Foundation awarded 11 contracts totaling $2.4 million without following competitive procurement procedures. ²

FACT: The NYS audit criticized the Research Foundation for spending at least $600,000 on a lobbying firm. ³ Much of the payments were made without even an explanation.

FACT: The RF made “questionable” payroll, paying two employees “beyond the limits allowed by State law.”⁴

FACT: The RF spent funds for tickets to the opera, ballet, circus, and puppet shows. ⁵

FACT: The RF spent upwards of $650,000 on at least one consulting firm at Stony Brook that “was not properly procured.”⁶

FACT: In order to try and bust the union, the RF hired a notorious union busting law firm, Bond, Schoneck and King. Union busters like these typically charge up to $800 per hour. The RF engaged two attorneys. We estimate they spent tens of thousands of RF funds on busting the union.

FACT: In the 1980s and 1990s, the RF spent years claming they did not have the funds to pay us health benefits. A few weeks after the TAs and GAs negotiated employer-provided benefits in 1993, the RF “found” the money to offer health benefits to RAs.

FACT: According to the 2007 Research Foundation’s Annual report last year, they made $43.5 million from their patents and investments.⁷

All of these facts are supported by an
audit conducted by NYS Comptroller Alan G. Hevesi. This independent report was highly critical of the Research Foundation’s spending decisions.

BOTTOM LINE:
The Research Foundation has consistently spent millions on questionable no-bid contracts, on union busting, on housing allowances for SUNY Presidents, and on excessive salary for their executives. With a union we have the power to shine a light on their budget and make them accountable.

The RF can afford to negotiate with us!
¹ Hevesi, Alan G. A Report by the New York State Office of the State Comptroller. Research Foundation of the State University of New York: Administrative and Discretionary Costs. 2004-S-13. p22. Accessed electronically Nov. 16, 2008. URL: http://osc.state.ny.us/audits/allaudits/093005/04s13.pdf
^3-4 Hevesi, A.G. p4
⁵ Hevesi, A.G. p22
⁶ Hevesi, A.G. p20
⁷ Research Foundation’s 2007 Annual Report. Page 1 and page 28.