This spring begins a major push for a contract that meets the needs of all PSC members. To secure the contract that PSC members deserve, the union must fight for a fair budget that meets CUNY’s needs. Make a plan to get involved this year.
Talk to lawmakers about the everyday challenges CUNY faculty and staff face and join your fellow union members in ensuring that a strong PSC-CUNY contract is negotiated. Check the union newsletter “This Week” for upcoming events and how to get involved. Below is a calendar of key political and union events this year. The PSC online calendar (psc-cuny.org/events/) will be updated as events and dates for union members are solidified.
Credit: Jud Guitteau
JANUARY 10, 2023 | GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL’S 2023 STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS
Governor Hochul will lay out her vision for the state in the coming year. The proposals announced in this address are the first steps in defining the year’s agenda and may include plans for CUNY and SUNY.
JANUARY 16, 2023 | MAYOR ERIC ADAMS’ PRELIMINARY CITY BUDGET DEADLINE
This budget outlines the mayor’s priorities and goals for New York City. In the following months, through hearings and deliberations, the New York City Council will consider whether the budget meets the needs of city residents.
JANUARY 2023 | PSC LAUNCHES A BARGAINING PETITION
Prior to the expiration of the current PSC contract, the union will launch a university-wide petition to get CUNY to set dates for bargaining around the new contract. Thousands of PSC member signatures are needed to show the strength of the bargaining unit and the urgency for a new contract.
JANUARY 17, 2023, 6:30 PM | PSC LEGISLATION COMMITTEE MEETING
Join union activists in planning political and legislative strategy to urge elected officials to support increased funding for CUNY, proposals in the New Deal for CUNY and the needed investment for a finalized PSC-CUNY contract. This regularly scheduled union meeting occurs every third Tuesday of every month. All union members are welcome. For more details, contact Bettina Damiani at [email protected].
JANUARY 19, 2023 | PSC DELEGATE ASSEMBLY CONSIDERS BARGAINING DEMANDS
Credit: Jud Guitteau
The PSC Delegate Assembly will consider bargaining demands to be presented to CUNY. These demands were initially discussed with delegates at the December PSC Delegate Assembly meeting.
FEBRUARY 1, 2023 | GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL’S FY 2024 EXECUTIVE BUDGET DEADLINE
The governor’s proposed budget is the first step in the budget negotiations process where the governor highlights her spending priorities. From there, the union will be able to see how much more it needs to push for in terms of funding for CUNY. The New York State fiscal year for 2024 begins on April 1, 2023, and ends on March 31, 2024.
FEBRUARY 2023 | STATE BUDGET HEARING ON HIGHER EDUCATION
The state legislature will hold hearings on the executive budget, where heads of agencies and advocates testify. This hearing will look at the budget in relation to higher education priorities. It’s a chance for PSC leaders to advocate for a strong budget for CUNY.
FEBRUARY 7, 2023 | SUMMIT ON HIGHER EDUCATION
Higher education advocates throughout the state will assemble at the state capitol to press lawmakers to make the investments needed for higher education. The PSC will join other groups, including United University Professions (the SUNY faculty and staff union), New York Public Interest Research Group, a statewide student advocacy group, the CUNY Rising Alliance and the CUNY University Student Senate. For more information, contact Bettina Damiani at [email protected].
FEBRUARY 21, 2023, 6:30 PM | PSC LEGISLATION COMMITTEE MEETING
All union members are welcome. For more details, contact Bettina Damiani at [email protected].
MID-FEBRUARY 2023 | NYS HIGHER EDUCATION LOBBYING
CUNY and SUNY faculty, staff and students head to Albany for scheduled visits with state lawmakers to make the case for increased state investment in public higher education. For more information, contact Tiffany Brown at [email protected].
Credit: Jud Guitteau
FEBRUARY 28, 2023 | PSC-CUNY CONTRACT (2017–2023) EXPIRES
The PSC-CUNY contract expires, but by New York State labor relations law the terms of the contract are still in effect until a new one is reached. For months, the PSC has been preparing a new bargaining agenda to present to CUNY management.
WEEK OF FEBRUARY 28, 2023 EVENTS | PSC CONTRACT EVENT(S)
The week that the PSC-CUNY contract expires, the union will organize a series of actions across the university. The PSC must present a unified front, both inside at the negotiating table with CUNY management and outside with planned rallies and events that show that the union is not bargaining in a vacuum and thousands of PSC members support the union’s efforts.
FEBRUARY AND MARCH 2023 | PSC STATEWIDE POLITICAL ADS
As the state assembly and senate will be working on their own “one-house” budget bills that state the chamber’s principles, the PSC will launch targeted ads around Albany and in New York City, to highlight how integral CUNY is to the state’s economic and post-COVID recovery.
MARCH 8–9 | COMMITTEE OF 100
Hundreds of grassroots lobbyists will go to Albany to advocate for issues that affect working people’s lives, from workplace health and safety to pensions to public education. NYSUT, the PSC’s state-level affiliate, will attend this event that will amplify the statewide education union’s voice.
MARCH 21, 2023, 6:30 PM | PSC LEGISLATION COMMITTEE MEETING
All union members are welcome. For more details, contact Bettina Damiani at [email protected].
Week of March 27 | FINAL PSC CAMPAIGN PUSH BEFORE STATE BUDGET DEADLINE
Credit: Jud Guitteau
Pressing lawmakers in the days before the state budget deadline amplifies PSC members’ efforts throughout the budget process. This week, the PSC will mobilize members to press lawmakers to fully funding public higher education. Read union emails during this time to find out how to get involved.
APRIL 1, 2023 | NEW YORK STATE BUDGET DEADLINE
The serious negotiations that lead to a final state budget happen in late March, primarily with Governor Hochul, State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. April 1 is the state budget deadline, but negotiations can continue beyond that date. Last year, the budget passed on April 9.
APRIL 18, 2023, 6:30 PM | PSC LEGISLATION COMMITTEE MEETING
All union members are welcome. For more details, contact Bettina Damiani at [email protected].
APRIL 26, 2023 | MAYOR ERIC ADAMS’ FY 2024 EXECUTIVE BUDGET DEADLINE
The mayor releases a revised budget proposal for the upcoming year and a financial plan for the next three years. The New York City fiscal year for 2024 begins on July 1, 2023, and ends on June 30, 2024.
APRIL–MAY 2023 | MEMBER MOBILIZATIONS AROUND PARTICULAR BARGAINING SESSION(S)
As the PSC bargaining team meets with CUNY, the union will mobilize members on key issues related to the union’s bargaining demands. Stay tuned to union communications to find out how you can support the bargaining process.
MAY 2023 | NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL BUDGET HEARINGS
Following the release of the mayor’s executive budget, the council holds targeted hearings ensuring the budget reflects the city’s needed priorities. Key advocates testify during these hearings, including a PSC principal officer.
MAY 16, 2023, 6:30 PM | PSC LEGISLATION COMMITTEE MEETING
All union members are welcome. For more details, contact Bettina Damiani at [email protected].
JUNE 30, 2023 | NEW YORK CITY BUDGET FINALIZED
In May and June, the New York City Council and the mayor negotiate adjustments to the mayor’s executive budget. The resulting agreement is known as the adopted budget.
Published: January 10, 2023 | Last Modified: January 12, 2023
