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SBU researchers protest lack of contract
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| | | About 75 research assistant rallied up the Melville library steps on Tuesday. Photo by Lee Lutz (click for larger version) | |
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."
"If we get certain concessions [from SUNY]," said Kasia Sawicka, an SBU research assistant in biomedical engineering and member of the local's negotiating committee, "we're more likely to attract the best from around the world." Sawicka said SBU competes with universities for talented researchers and the low pay and high cost of living on Long Island makes it difficult to convince many to come to Stony Brook. Sawicka said progress has been made on some issues — the two sides have been negotiating since March after the union achieved recognition last December — but most of that progress has been on non-economic concerns.
Questioning whether the union was dealing with "honorable people," CWA 1104's President, George Bloom of Setauket, told the crowd, "We are going to get you a contract." "Without you," Bloom continued, "they have no research foundation."
Earlier Bloom told TBR Newspapers the primary issues under negotiation were better medical coverage, eliminating lab fees for RA's — "It costs them $500 a year to research for the Research Foundation," he said — and a 4 percent pay increase. Bloom said about $17,000 is the typical annual salary of SUNY research assistants at SBU.
"You are entitled to a decent living wage," Roger Clayman told the crowd. Clayman is executive director of the Long Island Federation of Labor.
Lauren Sheprow, a spokeswoman for SBU, said new university President Dr. Samuel Stanley met with graduate students during his first week on the job he assumed on July 1. He's "very empathetic," said Sheprow, citing the local high cost of living, but added, "Salaries are negotiated in Albany," not Stony Brook.
RA Kasia Sawicka said her understanding is that Dr. Stanley "seems interested in attracting the best and brightest," but will not meet with the union in order to "stay neutral."
The SUNY Research Foundation in Albany issued a written statement in which it acknowledged the rally at SBU and said it "is committed to following all the rules set forth by the National Labor Relations Act… The RF looks forward to the day that a mutually agreeable first contract is put in place. Until that time, the RF prefers to address any issues relating to the union or the contract at the bargaining table rather than in the media."
When the protestors arrived at VP Habicht's office they found it locked. Someone in the crowd yelled, "Maybe she's out to lunch" — it was about 12:45 pm. Union President Bloom slid the letter under the door. Sawicka said the next bargaining session is scheduled for Friday on the SBU campus.
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