CUNY Academic Commons

The Commons in Exile has been set up on the 1st floor of the GC On the 21st of August, Graduate Center President Robin Garrell sent out an email under the title “Dining Commons, Food Pantry and Food Services Update.” In this email she announced that the Dining Commons, on level 8 of the GC building, would be closed until October, and that the search for a new vendor for our cafeteria was still continuing “apace.” What she didn’t mention was the way that both of these “updates” are betrayals of her own word as president, and of the community we have been building since Spring. Garrell has back flipped on having food and pantry services ready by the start of Fall, and has now kicked us out of our own space for a whole month, She’s also given all of the credit to administration for the gains made by student activism and collaboration. In a statement to the GC Community, Chapter Chair Zoe Hu said: “Until the new pantry is established, Reclaim the Commons will continue to assist those struggling with food insecurity by re-establishing its old pantry in a new location (the Foundation Lounge on the ground floor).We will keep it running until the formal one opens. If you would like to join our effort, email us at [email protected] or donate funds by Venmo to @Zoe-Hu-1 (a record of receipts and Venmo use can be found here). Help us work towards a People’s CUNY!” (reposted from the 24 August Adjunct Project news letter) Want to get these posts delivered direc […] “The Commons in Exile has been set up on the 1st floor of the GC”

Sign up to attend a bargaining session!As our contract campaign continues, we encourage all union members to sign up to attend a bargaining session. The next one is September 6. All members need to attend a zoom orientation before attending actual bargaining sessions, so please fill out this sign-up form ASAP. Bargaining is likely to be a long process. The more we can demonstrate consistent member engagement, the more pressure we can put on CUNY management to win […] “Sign up to attend a bargaining session!”

South California hotel workers go on strike!Hospitality workers in Southern California go on strike during the big Fourth of July rush, joining the Writers’ Guild on the picket lines. Solidarity to striking workers everywhere!

Sign up to attend a bargaining session!Our union has begun bargaining for a new contract. We have had a couple of sessions so far, and members have been attending! Fill out this form if you are interested in attending, and look out for emails from PSC central as well. Want to get these posts delivered directly to your […] “Sign up to attend a bargaining session!”

Rolling nationwide Starbucks strikesWorkers at more than 150 Starbucks stores across the country plan to engage in strikes over the next week to protest the company’s hypocritical treatment of LGBTQIA+ workers.

UPS workers vote to authorize strike!UPS workers, as members of the Teamsters Union, have voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike if an agreement is not reached by the time their current contract expires at the end of July. It would be the biggest American walkout […] “UPS workers vote to authorize strike!”

We demand reappointment![…] “We demand reappointment!”

We have contract negotiation bargaining dates!PSC employees have been working without a contract since March 1, 2023. Our union leadership just announced that we have three bargaining sessions scheduled in June and early July! To attend, you must fill out this form and attend a bargaining orientation session on Zoom, June 21 from 6:30-7:30 pm. The three dates are: Tuesday, June 27 1:00 – 3:30 pm (in person location tba) Thursday, June 29 12:00 – 2:30 pm (in person location tba) Monday, July 10 (time and in person location tba) See the PSC’s bargaining agenda, here. Here’s the moment we’ve been waiting for. Let’s turn up to these sessions and show management our determination and power! Want to get these posts delivered directly to your inb […] “We have contract negotiation bargaining dates!”

Help keep the People's Pantry going! Dear friends, As we transition into summer, please consider making a small donation to help keep the People’s Pantry afloat. While many of us may be away from the GC, there are still a number of students, faculty, and staff who have come to depend on the food Reclaim the Commons provides. Since February, the People’s Pantry has provided much needed nourishment to many members of the GC community. With generous donations from students, faculty, staff, and other supporters of the Reclaimed Commons, a team of grocery shoppers stocked the Pantry twice a week. Management optimistically–and perhaps disingenuously–predicted that their food pantry would be ready by the end of the spring semester. However, the official pantry has yet to open, and the People’s Pantry remains the only source of relief for food-insecure members of the GC community on campus. Our average weekly cost to supply a modest amount of snacks, coffee/tea, and food staples is around $200. We are down to about $250 in our account. Anything you can give helps. Please send donations via Venmo to Zoe-Hu-1. You can also slide cash in an envelope under the union office door (6302). Shelf-stable food items, personal hygiene items, and other donations can be left on the pantry tables in the Commons.  Wishing you a happy, healthy, and restful summer, Reclaim the […] “Help keep the People’s Pantry going!”

A blast from the pastChe […] “A blast from the past”

Solidarity among NYC delivery workers confronting wildfire smokeAs smoke from Canadian wildfires descended upon NYC last week, unionized and gig delivery workers supported each other as employers predictably failed to address safety concerns.

Supreme Court chips away at protections for striking workersThe recent Supreme Court ruling in Glacier Northwest v. Teamsters Local 174 gives employers a precedent to sue unions for “damages” caused by strikes. But this does not take away the right or the need to strike […] “Supreme Court chips away at protections for striking workers”

Could LA be on its way to a general strike?Over the last few weeks, several LA unions have turned out to demonstrations in support of striking WGA workers. With hospitality workers and teachers also about to face expired contracts, this could be a chance for LA workers to make universal demands around living wages, benefits, […] “Could LA be on its way to a general strike?”

Barnes and Noble workers in Park Slope file for a union election!The unionization wave continues. Barnes and Noble workers are joining employees at a long list of businesses who are seeking (often successfully) to unionize. Workers at the Park Slope Barnes and Nobles want better pay, reliable scheduling, and decent benefits–don’t we all? Read more here. Solidarity to all working people in this city and around the world! Want to get these posts delivered directly […] “Barnes and Noble workers in Park Slope file for a union election!”

Elmhurst Hospital resident physicians go on strike!Doctors at Elmhurst Hospital have been negotiating with the hospital’s management for almost a year in an attempt to achieve parity in pay and benefits with doctors in other zip codes. Support the striking doctors and sign […] “Elmhurst Hospital resident physicians go on strike!”

CUNY Law censors pro-Palestinian speakerOn May 12, Fatima delivered a graduate speech at CUNY Law’s 2023 commencement ceremony after her peers voted for her to represent them. Last week, CUNY Law administrators gave into Zionist pressure and took the video down from the school’s website. As union members and labor organizers, let us stand against oppression in all its forms. Let us […] “CUNY Law censors pro-Palestinian speaker”

MIT grad student union rejects tentative agreement, seeking moreGrad student workers at MIT voted down the current tentative agreement with the administration by a whopping 1,715 to 226. Follow their updates here. Want to get these posts delivered directly […] “MIT grad student union rejects tentative agreement, seeking more”

Writers' Guild Strike HubAs the Writers’ Strike continues, there’s plenty of ways to show support. Stay up-to-date with picket schedules and other events with the Strike Hub.

CNET workers unionize with WGA East!Writers, editors, video producers and content creators at CNET, the tech. review publication, have voted to unionize with Writer’s Guild of America East! In related news, see this Variety interview about the ongoing Writers’ Guild strike, which is now entering its third week. Want to get these posts delivered directly to your […] “CNET workers unionize with WGA East!”

A great short piece on the recent Rutgers strikeRutgers Strike Wins Big But More is Needed to Change Higher Education (from Labor Notes). Want to get these posts delivered directly to your inbox? Subscribe to our site blog.