PUBLIC SECTOR BARGAINING: 

In the past year (2003/04) New York State government settled contracts with many state government employees, including our SUNY colleagues in UUP (United University Professions).  UUP members accepted a four-year contract worth 15% in salary improvements over the life of the agreement, including an $800 cash bonus. 

Nov. & Dec. updates

Oct. 18, 2005 update

Barbara Bowen's Sept. 29 Address

Sign the Ad

More on the Contract Campaign

2002-05 Negotiations Timeline

"...The fact is that we still have no contract.  How much longer do we have to wait?  We are here today to call on you to redouble your efforts with the City and State and ensure that a fair contract for the faculty and professional staff of CUNY is approved and funded."

November 28, 2005

Trustees of the City University of New York
535 East 80^th Street
New York, NY 10021 

Dear Trustee of the City University of New York: 

The contract between the Professional Staff Congress and CUNY management expired on October 31, 2002.  That is more than three years ago: 1,124 days.  The last raise we received was effective August 1, 2001—more than four years ago.   

Despite the failure of CUNY management to negotiate salary increases for more than four years, the 20,000 members of the PSC have worked tirelessly for the University throughout that time.  CUNY’s recent success—so often cited by the Administration and Trustees—is a product of our work.    

A fair settlement is long overdue.  Literally hundreds of members have contacted me personally in the last few weeks to remind me of the urgency they feel about getting this contract settled.  Over a thousand PSC members attended the union’s September 29 meeting with a similar, resounding message.  We wonder if you feel the same urgency.  The Chancellor’s Office and members of the Board of Trustees have worked hard in recent weeks to assist in bringing the contract negotiations to a close, and union members are gratified that management has responded to our November 3 deadline by making substantial progress on negotiations.  But the fact is that we still have no contract.  How much longer do we have to wait? 

We are here today to call on you to redouble your efforts with the City and State and ensure that a fair contract for the faculty and professional staff of CUNY is approved and funded.  A good contract for us means a better future for our students.  The PSC needs a contract that provides decent salaries, restores our Welfare Fund benefits and supports improvements in equity and working conditions.  We are confident that such a contract is achievable, and without question such a contract is just—given the demands you place on CUNY instructional staff and the performance we have delivered.   

Today’s meeting is also important because of the budget proposal under consideration.  As you know, the PSC opposes tuition increases—especially because our students’ tuition has risen by 195% since 1990—and opposes funding our contract through increased demands on students.  CUNY is a public university and public funding needs to be restored.  My testimony to the Board on the budget proposal is attached.  We urge you to demand full public funding for CUNY and to ensure full funding and swift completion of our contract. 

Yours sincerely,

Barbara Bowen
President

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