Act NOW in Support of a Living Wage for Cornell Service Workers!

Citing budget concerns, Cornell University has been resistant to calls for a living wage in their contract negotiations with the United Auto Workers Local 2300, who represents full-time dining, grounds, and custodial workers.

Cornell already pays its service workers less than peer institutions like Dartmouth, and most already earn 20% less than the yearly living wage for Tompkins County.

Working people did not create this crisis and we should not have to pay for it. Support the Cornell Organization for Labor Action (COLA) and tell Cornell: pay every full-time worker a living wage and negotiate fairly with UAW Local 2300!

E-mail/fax the administration by filling out the form below, then give the administration a call:

President Skorton's Number: (607) 255-5201
Vice-President Opperman's Number: (607)255-3621

Sample phone script: My name is ____ and I'm a student/supporter at _____. I'm calling to express my concern that many of the workers at Cornell are not earning enough to provide for their families. I demand that you make sure Cornell lives up to its ideals and prioritizes the basic dignity of its workers by paying Cornell workers a living wage.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: I Support a Fair Contract and Living Wage for Cornell Service Workers

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I'm writing to express my concern that many of the workers who keep Cornell University running are not earning enough to support themselves and their families. Low-paid Cornell service workers should not bear the brunt of the budget cuts.

In these difficult economic times, Cornell must live up to its ideals by treating those ensure that Cornell runs smoothly with dignity and respect.

I ask that you ensure that Cornell prioritizes working people in this economic crisis by paying Cornell workers living wages and negotiating a fair and just contract.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
June 24, 2009


Background Information

Despite the recession, Cornell's endowment is over $4 billion and the university has more income than many Fortune 500 companies.

Meanwhile, the cost of living in the Ithaca area continues to rise. Cornell University already pays its "unskilled" workers less than its peer institutions, such as Syracuse University and Dartmouth, despite lower costs of living in these areas. Most dining workers already earn 20% less than the living wage for Tompkins County ($23,104 for a single adult). Many of these workers are eligible for government assistance, including Section 8 housing and food stamps.

Some service workers earn as little as $16,500 during the academic year and cannot find work over breaks when they are laid off. New York State Law does not require educational institutions to pay unemployment assistance during summer and winter breaks. However, Columbia University provides its workers with a stipend of $125 a week during layoffs to help them get by, while Cornell offers nothing. This leaves some already low-waged workers with no income for over a third of the year.

For more information and press, check out http://www.contractforcornell.org/