Written by by Dorothy France-Miller at cornellsun.com
Umbrellas and fists were both raised high on Thursday, July 11 as approximately 50 members of United Auto Workers Local 2300 rallied to garner support for their bargaining efforts. Despite the rainy conditions, the union members gathered at A-Lot to share words of encouragement and chant for the University to hear their demands.
The University and the UAW Local 2300 have been bargaining since June 2, and their contract expired on July 1.
The rally was led by UAW Region 9 International Representative Lonnie Everett and International UAW Organizer Jorge Rodriguez, as well as the UAW Local 2300 members present. The event got the attention of those entering and exiting the lot, especially those using public transport, as the gathering took place at a TCAT bus stop.
At the meeting, Rodriguez led the UAW members in chants, including cries to “Shut it down” — “it” referring to the University — if they did not meet their demands.
The 2022-2024 contract between the University and its union members prevented the union from going on strike — or halting all operations and work to encourage the University to meet their demands. However, since this contract expired on July 1, the authorization of a strike — or a “shutting down” of their services — is “not off the table,” according to UAW Local 2300 President Christine Johnson.
Some of the demands of the UAW are wage increases — specifically 46 percent over the next four years — a cost of living adjustment and parking allowances. Some bargaining members of the UAW feel that the compromises that Cornell is offering are insufficient to their needs.