Freeze the Rent | Remote Work Agreement Extended

More than 800 PSC members marched on May Day last Friday with fellow unions and immigrants’ rights groups to defend democracy, reject ICE brutality, and protest the billionaire takeover of our federal government. Between the citywide mobilization, the CUNY-wide wear red to work action, adjunct speak outs on multiple campuses, art-builds, teach-ins, tabling and petitioning, more than 1600 members took May Day action with the PSC last week.

More than 140 PSC May Day captains organized with our union chapters to achieve this participation rate, and now it’s up to all of us to keep building union power. Our university, our students and our neighbors are still under attack from the federal government, the Midterm elections are still at risk of subversion, and our contract expires in just 19 months. Union solidarity, membership and strength are needed now more than ever.

Photos and videos from the May Day Higher Ed Meet-up at the New School and the march from Washington Square Park are posted on the PSC Instagram and other social media feeds, along with video of a great speech from the May Day main stage by PSC May Day Captain and Immigrant Solidarity Working Group member Professor Ege Ozen. Photos of members in red, live video from the Adjunct Speak Out, part of the May Day speech delivered in Albany by PSC Treasurer Felicia Wharton are posted as well.

Register now for a question and answer session on the New York City Employees PPO plan, the new health insurance plan for active employees, pre-Medicare retirees, and their dependents that took effect January 1st of this year. Attendees will hear from representatives from EmblemHealth, UnitedHealthcare, and the PSC-CUNY Welfare Fund and have a chance to ask questions. Union leaders will be on the Zoom as well.

The event is part of our ongoing effort to ensure clarity and accuracy in communications about the NYCE PPO. Please attend the meeting to ask your questions or share your experiences with the new health insurance plan. All dues-paying members of the PSC are invited to participate.

GET THE ZOOM LINK FOR THE HEALTH CARE TOWN HALL

One of three core promises of Mayor Mamdani’s campaign was to freeze the rent for 2.4 million rent-stabilized New Yorkers. Three of the seven public meetings on the possibility of a rent freeze are happening at CUNY campuses, and the first is this Thursday, May 7th at LaGuardia Community College.

While this Thursday’s meeting at LaGuardia’s Performing Arts Center is not a hearing with testimony, members are encouraged to turn up at 5 PM for a rally at Van Dam Street and 47th Avenue. Let’s pack the room to make sure that our voices are heard and help win a more affordable New York City!

CLICK TO RSVP: FREEZE THE RENT RALLY

Come learn about the fight for universal health coverage in New York State and get involved in an exciting legislative campaign. The discussion in this online organizing briefing will feature Melanie D’Arrigo, Executive Director of the Campaign for the New York Health Act, Eileen Moran of the PSC’s Social Safety Net Committee, and Ana Djordjevic, PSC member and labor educator at New York State Nurses Association.

CLICK TO RSVP: NY HEALTH ACT ZOOM

Brad Lander for U.S. Congress in District 10

Brad Lander defended academic freedom and research funding at a PSC press conference in City Hall Park.

PSC is proud to endorse Brad Lander for U.S. Congress in District 10. A longtime ally of CUNY and public higher education, Brad Lander has stood with PSC members in our fight for a fair contract and has consistently championed workers’ rights, racial justice, immigrant rights, and investment in public institutions. As New York City Comptroller, Lander used his office to hold the city accountable on labor issues and advocate for equitable funding for public higher education.

Alex Bores for U.S. Congress in District 12

Alex Bores at the May Day march with PSC First Vice President Jen Gaboury and PSC Director of Legislative Affairs Bettina Damiani.

PSC is proud to endorse Alex Bores for U.S. Congress in District 12. As a State Assembly member, Bores has been a consistent supporter of public higher education, co-sponsoring legislation to restore and expand funding for CUNY. A champion of working families and public institutions, Alex Bores has demonstrated a commitment to the values PSC members and CUNY students depend on.

Make a Plan to Vote

Early voting begins June 13th and ends June 21st. The Primary Election Day is Tuesday, June 23rd. Click here for more information about PSC endorsements and links to find your poll site and check your registration status.

Mayor Mamdani recently stood up for students, faculty and staff and vetoed a New York City Council-passed “buffer zone” bill, Intro 175-B. The bill would undermine First Amendment rights around CUNY campuses and worksites and other educational institutions. Our union, the PSC, has consistently opposed this bill, along with the NYCLU, AAUP, and other labor unions: join us in telling the New York City Council to SUSTAIN THE VETO of 175-B!

SEND A LETTER TO YOUR COUNCIL MEMBER

Join the Committee for Adjuncts and part-timers for a screening of the new independent feature film “Adjunct” on May 8th in our union hall, 25 Broadway, 15th floor. All titles are welcome to join the 5:00 PM social hour and the 6:00 PM screening and discussion. Click here to RSVP for building access and refreshments.

Join us in demanding that CUNY take action now to defend immigrant students and community members by:

• Immediately hiring at least two permanent full-time staff members on every campus whose jobs are solely to support immigrant students
• Establishing an Immigrant Student Success Center on all campuses that do not already have one with their own dedicated space.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN PETITION

Immigrant Solidarity Working Group members marched in the May Day demonstration, Friday, May 1st, with the banners they use for campus organizing. Photo: Moses Merisier

Court Support Every Friday Morning

Next Court Support Training, Thurs, May 21, 6:30 PM

Please join with fellow PSC members to bear witness and support immigrants who are called to the courts at 26 Federal Plaza. Spanish speakers are especially helpful. Meet any Friday at Pret, 7:30 AM at 319 Broadway, across the street from 26 Federal Plaza. PSC training is required to participate. The next online training will be Thursday, May 21st at 6:30 PM. Register here to RSVP and get the Zoom meeting link.

LaGuardia Community College (Mainstage Theater)
45-50 Van Dam Street, Long Island City

Borough hearings of the CUNY Board of Trustees are an opportunity for the CUNY community to demand action from the Board on a wide range of issues.

All are welcome to testify, but the hearing represents a convenient opportunity for PSC members at CUNY Law School, LaGuardia Community College, Queens College and Queensborough Community College to have their voices heard. Possible topics could include campus health and safety, adjunct job security, or faculty and students’ First Amendment rights and academic freedom on campuses.

Persons wishing to testify are required to notify the Office of the Secretary via email at [email protected] PRIOR TO NOON FRIDAY, MAY 8. Your name, college, contact information and the topic you plan to address should be included in the email. (Say that you plan to testify on a university issue at the Queens Borough Hearing and identify the issue.) Copy PSC Communications Director Fran Clark at [email protected] when you email the Secretary, so we know that you will be there. Testimony is limited to three minutes. Substitution of registered speakers is not permitted. Bringing a print version of your statement to submit to the Board when you testify is recommended, but not required. Whether you can make it in person or not, written testimony of any length can also be uploaded to the Secretary’s Dropbox at this link before 12:00 noon, Wednesday, May 13. Here is the official hearing notice.

Clarion has transitioned to a fully digital format. With online-only publishing, we’ll release new content more often, no longer tied to monthly updates, and continue expanding our newsletter with deeper coverage and updates.