September 22, 2009

PSC Takes Action After CUNY’s Failure to Pay Grad Assistants
CUNY failed to pay hundreds of graduate assistants on time this semester. “It is unacceptable not to pay people in a timely way for the work they are doing for the University,” PSC President Barbara Bowen said last week and at a meeting last night with affected members at the Graduate Center.
Bowen noted that the Adjunct Project of the Doctoral Students’ Council has also done a great job of advocating for Graduate Assistants who need to obtain a pay advance. Graduate assistants in need of an advance should email Mr. A. Abraham (aabraham@gc.cuny.edu) with “paycheck” in the subject line. Those who face particular hardship can contact PSC Coordinator of Contract Administration Albert Muñoz by email (amunoz@pscmail.org) as well.

The PSC has also received reports of adjuncts being been paid late. Please email email Albert Muñoz if you are in that position.

Many PSC-Endorsed Candidates Win

Check the PSC political action committee’s website for a list of PSC-endorsed candidates who won their races. All but six of the PSC endorsed candidates were successfully nominated in the September 15 Democratic primary. Altogether, the PSC endorsed 49 candidates and of those endorsed candidates 30 ran in contested races. Topping the list were Bill deBlasio for Public Advocate and John Liu for Comptroller, who both head into run-off elections on Tuesday, 9/29. Don’t forget to vote!

“Several of the victorious candidates are young, energetic leaders in their communities and ran on a platform advocating progressive housing, development, education, and tax policies,” said Steve London, PSC First Vice President.  ”Overall, we think the outcome of the primary will mean a stronger and more independent City Council and one that has a large number of CUNY supporters.”

Student Organizing Training Returns

After a very positive response last year, the PSC is again sponsoring the US Student Assocation’s GrassRoots Organizing Training this semester. Led by the United States Students Association, the training on Saturday 10/3, will prepare students to fight for their interests, and for CUNY’s. The second day, Sunday, 10/18, will offer in-depth training on the facts about public funding for CUNY’s budget. Students from any CUNY campus, undergraduate or graduate, are welcome to this free training. Please let your students know! They can learn more or sign up here on the PSC website.

The PSC Office Closed Monday

In observance of the Yum Kippur holiday, the PSC office will be closed on Monday, 9/28. “This Week” will be published on Tuesday, 9/29.