State Budget Response and Analysis
The State budget passed last week without a half-billion dollar shift in CUNY funding from the State to the City, but also without funding for PSC members’ back pay and without funding to offset the tuition freeze. In her message to members, President Bowen said “Together we forced a reversal in the proposal to reduce or transfer responsibility for State funding for CUNY, and we came close to achieving funding for our contract. But we have not won that battle yet. The PSC will build on the power we have developed, starting today.” Read her full message. Read CUNY’s analysis of the enacted budget.
Fight for $15 Day of Action—Apr. 14
After a break-through victory in New York, the Fight for $15 is celebrating, but they aren’t letting up on their demand for a $15-per-hour minimum wage and union rights for every low-wage worker in every state. Nearly 64 million American workers are still earning poverty wages less than $15 per hour. Thursday, April 14 is Fight for $15’s next global day of action. After successfully pushing lawmakers in Albany to increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour in NYC by 2018 and at least $12.50 an hour upstate by 2021, the New York campaign is mobilizing for a day-long series of events to continue the fight to improve wages and strengthen worker protections. Download a flier. RSVP with PSC Organizing Director Deirdre Brill ([email protected]) for any of these actions:
• Morning: 6 AM rally at 1560 Broadway (SW Corner 47th St.) with worker testimonials, including one from a CUNY adjunct, followed by a march to the TV cameras outside of the Good Morning America Studio (44th and Broadway).
• Midday: 10 AM rally and march in downtown Brooklyn. (Details will be available soon.)
• Evening: 4-6 PM rally and 6 PM march starting at the Times Square McDonalds (220 West 42nd St.), the site of the first Fight for $15 fast-food worker strikes in 2012.
│
PSC Environmental Health and Safety Watchdog Meeting—Wed., Apr. 20
All PSC members are welcome to attend the next meeting of the union’s Environmental Health and Safety Watchdogs committee on Wednesday, April 20, from 5:30-8:00 PM at the PSC office, 61 Broadway, 15th Floor, Justice Room. The committee will discuss the problem of rats, mice and other rodents on CUNY campuses. Carla Rossi, a NYC Department of Health research scientist, will speak on the topic. After the presentation and questions, the committee will develop plans to demand that the CUNY administration take immediate action to resolve the problem. Other health and safety topics will be covered as well. Download a flier. RSVP at this email: [email protected].
Visit the online calendar for locations and more information
International Committee Meeting, Apr 8, 4:00pm
Environmental Justice Working Group, Apr 13, 6:00pm
Legislation Committee Meeting, Apr 13, 6:00pm
Fight for $15 Day of Action, Apr 14
Pre-Retirement Conference, Apr 15, 9:00am
Labor Goes to the Movies: Neighboring Sounds, Apr 15, 6:00 pm