UAW Local 2300 members in tough contract fight with Cornell University

Christine Johnson, President of the United Auto Workers Local 2300, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the ongoing negotiations between Cornell University and service and maintenance workers. 

UAW Local 2300 is based in Ithaca, NY and represents the Cornell University service and maintenance workers among several other workers across educational industries and local government offices in Ithaca. In June, the contract for the more than 1,200 workers in Cornell’s service and maintenance departments expired, and despite ongoing negotiations, no progress has been made. Johnson discussed some contract issues that workers hope to resolve in these negotiations.

Among the sticking points of the negotiations between Local 2300 members and Cornell University are a lack of a living wage, no cost-of-living increase and dangerous workplaces. Johnson discussed the progress of the negotiations, which unfortunately are not much. She said there’s also been a struggle with retaining workers due to the poor wages, and these losses have created a greater demand for the current staff.

Instead of bargaining in good faith, Cornell’s administration has spread misinformation about the union and what rights a worker has under a union. Johnson explained the bad information shared by the university and how that has impacted the negotiations. These delays have also caused several workers to leave their jobs in pursuit of respectable wages. Johnson discussed the next steps for Local 2300 and some of the tools still at their disposal. Negotiations will resume later this week between the two parties, and Johnson hopes that Cornell’s administration will start listening to the members' needs so they can earn their just due.

For more on the negotiations between Cornell University and UAW Local 2300, listen to the show above.