Forwarded message:
Date: Sun, 12 May 1996 12:47:19 -0700
From: John Stobo <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Information on Barnard College Strike
Sender: Forum on Labor in the Global Economy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-to: Forum on Labor in the Global Economy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Please feel free to re-post.
Technical, Office and Professional
Union -- Local 2110 -- UAW -- AFL-CIO
BARNARD CLERICAL WORKERS ON STRIKE
As of 5/9/96, strike on 7th week
We are the 165 support staff of Barnard College, working in the
administrative office, academic departments, library and dormitories of
the College. We are a group of mostly women, fighting for the most basic
of workers rights against an institution which prides itself for its
feminist ideals and progressive principles.
We are on strike over the College's unfair labor practices, health care
cutbacks, and an inequitable wage offer. We are the lowest paid group on
campus--many of us heads-of-households--struggling to take care of
our families and ourselves in New York City on an average salary of
$24,000. Barnard's "final" offer, would two-tier our membership and force
all new union members to pay towards their most basic of benefits--health
care.
Furthermore, at the last minute before the strike deadline, the
College demanded that we give up our union health care plan and go into a
more expensive management program (an HMO), which will force our members
to pay more. The total cost of the premium for our current union plan
costs less than the HMO covering the administrators and faculty (many of
whom cannot afford the high priced copays for family coverage). While
this HMO will cost our members more (through higher deductibles, higher
premiums, and lower out of network reimbursement), BARNARD WANTS TO FORCE
US INTO THE MANAGEMENT PLAN TO OFFSET ITS COSTS FOR HIGHER PAID EMPLOYEES
(who have no collective bargaining rights). Clearly it this is not fair.
Barnard is proposing raises that are lower than those received recently
(without a strike) by other unionized clerical staff in our area
(including Columbia University)--without their having to strike. And for
the first time ever, Barnard is REFUSING TO MAKE OUR WAGES RETROACTIVE.
(Our contract ended 12/95!) Barnard's proposals for wage increases ARE
ALSO LOWER THAN THOSE GRANTED ITS PREDOMINANTLY MALE MAINTENANCE AND
SECURITY WORKERS WHO ALREADY EARN HIGHER SALARIES THAN WE DO.
Barnard has forced a strike by committing numerous unfair labor practice
charges, including bad faith and regressive bargaining and retaliation for
union activity. The College has also retaliated against student
supporters (see New York Times article of 5/10/96: BARNARD WILL DELAY SIX
DIPLOMAS OVER SIT-IN). Instead of negotiating fairly, the College is
squandering money on legal fees, replacement workers and extra security to
bust our union. Our members have remained strong and resolute, but you
can help us:
CONTACT: PRESIDENT JUDITH SHAPIRO at [EMAIL PROTECTED]
or at Barnard College, 3009 Broadway, New York, NY 10027/ 212-854-2021/
fax: 212-854-8361.
OR TRUSTEES: Patricia Green, 755 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10021/ fax:
212-628-9302; Gedale B. Horowitz, Salomon Bros., Inc., 7 World Trade
Center, New York, NY 10048/ 212-783-7012/ fax: 212-783-2477; Helene L.
Kaplan, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, 919 Third Avenue, New York,
NY 10022/ 212-735-2340/ fax: 212-735-2000; or Patricia Remmer; EHR
Investments/ 13 Arcadia Road, Old Greenwich, CT 06870/ 203-637-4720/
fax: 203-698-1695.
JOIN US ON OUR PICKET LINE: Tuesday, May 14, 12-2 pm or any day at 117th
and Broadway. By subway take the 1 or 9 IRT, and by bus, take the M104 to
116th and Broadway.
DONATE MONEY TO OUR HARDSHIP FUND: checks payable to Local 2110, UAW,
Barnard Hardship Fund and send to Local 2110, UAW, 71 Fifth Avenue, Suite
6A, New York, NY 10003-3004.
For more information contact us through e-mail at [EMAIL PROTECTED] or
call us at 212-989-0907.
In solidarity,
the workers of Local 2110, UAW
at Barnard College
