PSC in the News
Tom Watters, an adjunct faculty member in the English department at Brooklyn College, wrote an AFT Voices post that was recently shared throughout the country. It’s called “I can’t keep teaching for poverty wages.” Find Tom’s post, TV coverage of the recent $7K Advocacy Day and much more on the PSC’s In the News page.
Tell the World You’re Sticking to the Union
The PSC and our AFT affiliates plan to fill social media with messages from proud union members if the Supreme Court rules, as expected, against workers in Janus v. AFSCME. Please join us. The Court’s rulings are usually announced on Monday mornings, and the Janus ruling could come any Monday before the end of June. The PSC will inform members via email and social media when it happens. When you receive the PSC’s message about the ruling, share a photo of yourself on social media, tag the union, and use the hashtags #UnionProud #UnionStrong.
If you email PSC Communications Coordinator Fran Clark a photo ([email protected]), we’ll add to your photo a frame with the hashtags that says “I’m Sticking to Our Union” and share it via the union’s Twitter and Facebook accounts. Be sure to tell us where you work.
The Teaching Load Reduction
In a message to members President Bowen called on the CUNY trustees to find the funding to implement the teaching load reduction agreement so that its full benefit is achieved. “The teaching load reduction agreement presents you with a rare opportunity to do something other than manage scarcity. For a fairly modest sum compared to CUNY’s total teaching budget, it offers a blueprint for transforming the experience of students, boosting the University’s competitiveness and enriching our shared academic life,” she said. Read her full message here.
PSC Members to Legislators: $7K per Course for Adjuncts for Wage Justice and Educational Justice
PSC members rallied in Albany on April 24 as part of a $7K Advocacy Day to demand $7,000 per course for CUNY adjuncts. The members met with dozens of legislators to explain why a living wage for CUNY adjuncts is essential for student success. CUNY salaries are bargained with the university’s central administration, but inadequate funding from Albany is at the root of the problem. Click here for a video of the rally.
Labor Goes to the Movies Presents: Salt of the Earth—Fri., May 11
The union’s film series will present Salt of the Earth this Friday, May 11 in the PSC Union Hall, 61 Broadway, 16th floor. Based on an actual strike at a zinc mine in New Mexico, the film exposes discrimination against Mexican-American miners who fought to attain wage parity with Anglo workers in other mines and to be treated humanely by their bosses. Many of the artists, including director Herbert Biberman, writer Michael Wilson, and producer Paul Jarrico, were blacklisted and thus forced to create one of the first independent US films. Doors open at 6:00 PM. Four dollar suggested donation. Space is limited! Light refreshments available. Learn more.
Rally at CCNY to Save Student Rights—Wed., May 9, 4 PM
The CUNY Board of Trustees is scheduled to vote this Wednesday on a proposal to restrict the way student activity fees can be used on all CUNY campuses. The proposed plan would eliminate the use of the referenda + refund system that keeps campus press independent and supports activist groups like NYPIRG, LGBTQ organizations, women’s groups and other vital services. The University Student Senate, CUNY Rising, NYPIRG and hundreds of other CUNY student groups oppose the plan. Student leaders call the process that created it “a sham.” The Rally to Save Student Rights will begin at 4 PM this Wednesday, May 9. It will be outside the Great Hall at the City College of New York.
