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Act NOW in Support of a Living Wage for Cornell Service Workers!
Greetings,
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.
But 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, and call today!
Send a letter to the following decision maker(s):
Cornell Vice-President Mary Opperman
President David Skorton
President David Skorton
Vice-President Mary Opperman
Below is the sample letter:
Subject: I Support a Fair Contract and Living Wage for Cornell Service Workers
Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],
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,
[Your Name]
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Instructions:
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What's At Stake:
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/
Campaign Expiration Date:
July 20, 2009
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