PSC delegates spent the May Day weekend in Rochester, New York, for the annual Representative Assembly (RA) of our statewide affiliate, NYSUT. The conference was a lively and productive opportunity to meet and collaborate with members of other education-related unions from every corner of New York State, and included visits and remarks from AFT President Randi Weingarten, State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and rank-and-file union members and students from across New York.
The PSC brought a a resolution to the convention calling for a forceful defense of higher education institutions in the face of the current unprecedented attacks on research funding and academic freedom. After powerful speeches by PSC President James Davis, UUP President Fred Kowal, and Roberta Elins of SUNY’s Community Colleges, the resolution was unanimously passed by the 1,500-delegate body. PSC delegates also contributed to other important business at the RA, sitting on a range of issue-specific committees and organizing an Environmental Justice discussion session to share strategy with other locals.
The NYSUT RA coincided with May Day observances in Rochester, and PSC delegates joined a spirited rally and march with unionists and community allies from the region. Delegates also walked the picket line with graduate workers at the University of Rochester who are on strike demanding that the University agree to a fair election to let them secure collective bargaining representation.
The RA weekend was a powerful opportunity to develop and exercise our union’s solidarity and commitment to collective struggle. PSC members will continue working hard to ensure our vision of a collective response to the threats to our profession is carried out, using our affiliates as vehicles to strengthen our union, and defending the work and safety of all our members.
PSC delegates stand with siblings from Monroe Community College at the Rochester May Day rally and march
Delegates after walking the picket line with striking University of Rochester workers with the SEIU Local 200United.
The PSC delegation during a break from business at the NYSUT RA
NYSUT President Melinda Person discusses policy with PSC representatives
PSC delegates pose with NYSUT President Melinda Person
PSC President James Davis addresses the convention, advocating for resolution defending higher education
PSC leader Nancy Romer wins NYS AAUP Award
On March 31st, 2025, the New York State Conference of the American Association of University Professors (NYSC AAUP) announced that it had awarded the 2025 Francis Higman Award for Service to AAUP Collective Bargaining Chapters in New York State to PSC member-leader Dr. Nancy Romer. Dr. Romer is a member…
Statement in solidarity with Student Workers of Columbia
PSC President James Davis issued the following statement on March 14th, in response to the increasing repression of student workers and activists at Columbia University: "The Professional Staff Congress/CUNY (AFT 2334) stands in solidarity with the Student Workers of Columbia (UAW 2170) as they face the impact of radical right-wing…
PSC Demands CUNY Response to Detention of Mahmoud Khalil
On Tuesday, March 11th, PSC President James Davis sent a letter to CUNY Chancellor Felix Matos Rodríguez calling for swift and decisive action in response to federal agents' arrest and detention of Mahmoud Khalil, a green card-holding permanent resident who had participated in protests against the war in Gaza while…
PSC Opposes the Governor’s Violation of Academic Freedom at Hunter College
President James Davis registered the PSC’s strong objection to Governor Hochul’s removal of a job posting for a Palestinian Studies faculty position at Hunter College in a February 26th letter to the Governor and the Chancellor. Calling out the violation of academic freedom, Davis wrote that it is “an overreach…
PSC Stands With Immigrant Communities Against Deportation Threats
On Thursday, January 16th, PSC leaders joined with allies from labor and community organizations and local legislators to protest incoming President Trump’s mass deportation agenda and affirm the importance of New York as a sanctuary city. The rally, organized by Council Member Alexa Avilés, came ahead of a Committee on…
PSC-CUNY Reaches Memorandum of Agreement
December 16th, 2024 I am excited to inform you that the PSC bargaining team and CUNY negotiators have reached agreement on a new contract. It includes across-the-board raises of 13.4%, compounded, retroactive pay, additional equity raises for many of our lowest-paid colleagues, and a ratification bonus for full-time PSC members…
PSC Calls for End to US Sanctions on Cuba
The PSC’s Executive Council has voted to endorse a letter, coordinated by a network of labor unions, political leaders, and community organizations, urging President Biden to remove Cuba from the “State Sponsors of Terrorism” (SSOT) list before the end of his term in office. The designation of Cuba as a…
PSC Members Rally and Testify for Public Renewables
On Wednesday, November 20th, the PSC joined our partners at Public Power New York (PPNY) to lead a rally before a public hearing of the New York Power Authority (NYPA).
PSC Members Testify on Library Mold Crisis
Before disrupting the Monday, October 21st CUNY Board of Trustees hearing, PSC-CUNY members testified to the Trustees about the severe, persistent, and toxic spread of mold in libraries across the university system.
