CUNY RF WORKERS OCT. 22 PICKET LINE
UPDATES: 9/14/09 Walkout | 9/24/09 | 10/5/09 | 10/19/09
PHOTOS: 9/14/09 Walkout
RF-CUNY CHAPTER: HomepageOctober 22nd Rally
RF-CUNY workers continue their fight for a fair contract
By John Tarleton
Clarion Associate EditorA longer version of this story appeared in the Dec. '09 Clarion.
Photo credit: John Tarleton
Chanting “Two percent won’t pay the rent,” about 75 RF-CUNY workers and their supporters rallied outside the Research Foundation’s 41st Street headquarters during their lunch hour on Thursday, October 22nd.
“All we are asking for is a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work,” said Dawn Sievers, a member of the bargaining team who has worked at RF-CUNY for 23 years.
The workers at RF-CUNY have gone almost 10 months without a new contract. Last month, they held a one-hour walk out and overwhelmingly approved a strike vote. Management’s most recent contract offer provides for annual pay increases of 2.25%, 2.5%, 3% and 3% over four years plus a signing bonus of $1,000. As part of management’s economic package, the employee contribution to health insurance premiums would increase from 17% to 19% in the third year of the contract.
“I want to see management come forward with an offer that the membership can at least entertain,” said Chapter Vice Chair Fisner Antoine.
Several workers from the recently closed Stella D’oro bakery in the Bronx joined the demonstration.
“They [the RF-CUNY workers] are fighting for their jobs and their benefits,” said Stella D’oro shop steward Mike Filippou. “We have the same interests as them. We are all working people.”
The day before, RF-CUNY workers flanked the hallway as management headed into the conference room to negotiate with the union. Holding up signs reading, “My team speaks for me,” and “Strike Date TBA,” the workers reminded management they are united in their commitment to their fight for a fair deal. Though they got little verbal reaction, Sievers commented, “Everything we do makes a difference whether they say it or not. I’m amazed they haven’t burned up their shoes yet seeing who’s at their desk and who’s not.”
Photo credit: John TarletonUPDATES: 9/14/09 Walkout | 9/24/09 | 10/5/09 | 10/19/09
PHOTOS: 9/14/09 Walkout
RF-CUNY CHAPTER: Homepageback to TOP
