Unionized graduate student employees at Syracuse University say they’ve reached an impasse with SU administration as they attempt to negotiate their first collective bargaining agreement. About 150 people gathered in front of Hendricks Chapel on campus Tuesday to show solidarity. Teaching assistant Joseph Beckmann says a week-long marathon bargaining session has come to an abrupt stop.
“I think once we started talking about economic issues, pay, health, insurance benefits, leave time, those things, it's felt like we've hit a brick wall or a very steep hill.”
Beckmann says they’re determined to fight for what’s fair after the university proposed insulting wage hikes and insurance coverage. Beckmann says they’re encouraged and inspired by the larger movement of students here and across the country winning important concessions from their employers.
“We all go to conferences, we meet other people," Beckmann said. "I'm talking with people at University of Nebraska, Lincoln and saying, oh, you should unionize. My roommate goes to ESF and he was an organizer for their research assistants union campaign that succeeded, so everybody knows people and we all try to support each other."
About 1,100 SU students are represented by Syracuse Graduate Employees United, which is affiliated with Service Employees International Union, or SEIU Local 200. Contract talks began last fall.
In an email, a University spokesperson issued this statement.
"As the graduate students shared over the weekend, the University has been working in good faith throughout the negotiations since they began in September. The process has been productive and we are optimistic that a continued commitment to working together will result in a fair contract.”
