Cornell University employees, represented by the United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 2300, went on strike on Sunday night, just as students were scheduled to begin moving in for the fall semester. The strike, involving about 1,200 workers including cafeteria staff, custodians, and groundskeepers, follows stalled contract negotiations with the university. The workers are demanding significant wage increases, cost-of-living adjustments (COLA), and solutions to parking challenges. Cornell's latest offer includes a 17.5% wage increase over four years, while the union seeks a 25% increase over the same period. The university has implemented contingency plans to reduce service levels but is navigating "unprecedented territory." Negotiations have not yet been rescheduled.
See "Workers at Cornell strike as student move-in begins", Jimmy Jordan, The Ithaca Voice, August 21, 2024