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News Article Archive Clarkson
union ratifies contract Clarkson University's maintenance and service workers Monday ratified a three-year contract. Civil Service Employee Association Local 752 approved, 53-17, the contract running from July 1, 2006, to June 30, 2009. The contract gives members a 5.5 percent raise over the first two years, with a wage re-opener in the final year. "It has been a long battle," said Edward S. Collins, union president and campus electrician. "It was much fairer than before. I think we made a fair deal; we met in the middle." Clarkson's initial offer had been a 1.5 percent raise, the same it offered to every university employee. The union in July overwhelmingly rejected the first contract proposal, 60-2. "The university is pleased that the CSEA employees have ratified a new three-year contract," Clarkson President Anthony G. Collins said in a prepared statement. "The contract calls for across the board merit-based increase of approximately 1.5 percent this year and four percent wage increase in fiscal year 2007-08. Wages will be renegotiated during the third year of the contract. The contract maintains health care benefits at no cost to individual CSEA employees, locks in the current contribution for family coverage over the next three years and continues Clarkson's generous tuition program." It didn't come without conflict. The union of nearly 100 members spent months voicing concerns publicly, using the Internet as well as numerous sings and marches around the village, in seeking a larger wage increase. A tentative agreement was reached Dec. 5. "It is a lot better then we used to get," said groundskeeper William C. Sherman, who voted yes on the contract at Clarkson's Cheel Campus Center. "We still have our same health insurance and retirement benefits." The agreement also locks in health insurance coverage for the life of the contract at the current contribution rate. Mark M. Kotzin, CSEA
communications associate, said he appreciated the community support the
union received during negotiations. CSEA
Votes 53-17 For New Contract POTSDAM -- After six months of
pickets, angry signs and even a giant rat on Maple Street, Clarkson
University’s Civil Service Employees' Association has agreed to a
three-year contract with the university. In a vote of 53 for and 17
against, CSEA Local 752 has signed the agreement with Clarkson's management
which includes a $375 (about six percent) pay increase in the first year, a
4 percent increase in the second year with an opener for
re‑negotiation in the final year. "They thought it was a
better deal than what the college had offered initially,” CSEA Spokesman
Mark Kotzin said. "The first two years is roughly equivalent to 5.5
percent for the average employee. For some it would be a little bit more,
for some it would be less." The Pay increases are
merit-based increases. It was wages which originally
came between the university and the union. In the original proposal, which
was nearly unanimously shot down by the union, Clarkson had offered a 1.5
percent pay increase for all three years with CSEA wanting more. Clarkson President Tony Collins
said the university is pleased the CSEA employees have ratified the new
three-year contract. Collins noted aside from the pay increases the
employees were also able to maintain their benefits. "The contract maintains
health care benefits at no cost to individual CSEA employees, locks in the
current contribution for family coverage over the next three years and
continues Clarkson's generous tuition exchange program,' Collins said. Kotzin said the community was
very supportive of the union throughout the process. He said there was
support from students, parents, faculty, alumni and even prominent
politicians like Assemblyman Darrel Aubertine. "I think the outpouring of'
support we saw got noticed by the college and eventually the administration
had to move off their unfair take it or leave it offer," Kotzin said. Negotiations had started in
early January. When the university's proposal was presented in May, the
union turned it down. The union’s old contract then ended on June 30. The 2-year-old CSEA Local 752 is
the first ever union at Clarkson and yesterday's approved contract was the
school's first negotiation for contract renewal. Kotzin said he felt the
negotiations went very well and they received a lot of respect and support
for the membership. The union members were also
strong in the process, he said. “They stood fast, they stood
determined and they stood strong. It took a while to get settled,” he
said. “That’s fairly typical of most labor negotiations in this day and
age but it was very successful that the membership stood strong and
together.” Clarkson Director of Media
Relations Rick Burt said the negotiations went well and both sides were able
to get their issues across to one another. “We’re pleased we were able
to negotiate a contract. I think it was a matter of everybody negotiating in
good faith," he said. In contract negotiations there
is generally a give and take process. CSEA Labor Relations Specialist Edward
"Bud” Mulchy said the contract is a work in progress as is every
contract. He said the next item they want to work on is the cap on pay steps
for employees. He explained the union gave up
on some stuff like longevity which they will try to go after during the next
negotiation to increase the steps for the younger employees so they can get
more money and catch up. Clarkson will enter wage
negotiations with the union again in January 2008. Clarkson-CSEA
deal ratified The union membership voted Monday 53 to 17 in favor of a new contract with the University that gives a 1.5 percent pay hike the first year, 4 percent the second year, and no change in health coverage or contribution. The deal was hammered out after almost a year of on-and-off talks. About a hundred services and maintenance workers are represented by CSEA at Clarkson. CSEA
membership approves contract A new three-year contract has been approved by Facilities and Services workers at Clarkson University, in a vote of 53-17 on Monday. After voting down the management's initial offer in July, the CSEA membership has not been able to reach an agreement with the university. Since summer, the 100 workers were seen protesting throughout Potsdam. Clarkson
workers approve new contract Update 4:24 p.m.: According to CSEA Communications Associate Mark Kotzin, workers approved the new contract by a vote of 53 to 17 this afternoon. The new contract goes into effect immediately. Clarkson workers will be voting this afternoon on whether or not to accept the contract offer agreed to two weeks ago. The 100 unionized Facilities & Services workers at Clarkson University will vote this afternoon following a 2 p.m. informational meeting in Clarkson’s Cheel Arena. Union officers and staff will meet with workers to review the contract offer in detail. At the conclusion of the meeting, which is for union members only and not open to the public, the workers will hold a ratification vote to either accept or reject the tentative agreement. The contract offers a 5.5% pay increase over two years, with a wage re-opener in the third year of the agreement. The union was also able to lock-in health insurance coverage for the life of the new contract at the current rates of contribution. Contract talks had remained at a stalemate since the workers’ previous agreement expired this past July. The workers waged an aggressive public information campaign to point out how unfair the University’s previous offer was, picketing over the last few months, posting signs throughout the Potsdam area, and last month launching their fightforfairness.com web site. Clarkson
reaches agreement with service workers union For now, Clarkson University and
its unionized service workers have reached a contract agreement, ending five
months of bickering over a wage increase. The university and Civil Service
Employees Association Local 752 met Monday with a federal mediator and
hammered out an offer of a 5.5 percent raise over two years, with a wage
re‑opener in the third year. Clarkson's initial offer had
been a 1.5 percent raise, the same it offered to every university employee.
Union members argued this was well below the 3.3 percent cost of living
increase ‑ as measured by the Consumer Price Index ‑ which led
to five months of public demonstrations, the creation of a Web site and
marches through downtown Potsdam. The 100 service and maintenance
employees defeated the first contract proposal 60‑2 in July. Edward L.
"Bud" Mulchy, a CSEA labor relations specialist assigned to
Clarkson, spent much of his time participating in these events and in
negotiations. "I think I spent more time
there than I did in high school," he said. "It was a long
struggle, but we hope it's a go. I think the employees did a great
job." The deal also means the
university will lock in health insurance coverage for the life of the new
contract at the current contribution rate. Union members were fine with this
part of the proposed contract in July but said they were insulted by the
meager wage increase. Clarkson officials have said
they felt one group did not deserve a higher raise than any other group, but
said Tuesday they were happy with the outcome. "We're obviously pleased
we've tentatively reached a contract," said university spokesman Rick
D. Burt. "We think it's a fair settlement and we're looking forward to
having it ratified." Union president and campus
electrician Edward S. Collins said he appreciates the community support and
hopes the members will go for the deal. “It was a lot of hard work and
it paid off in the end,” he said. The Dec. 18 vote begins at 2
p.m. after a short meeting to review the agreement. Clarkson
workers reach tentative contract deal Workers at Clarkson have reached a tentative contract agreement with the University. According to CSEA Labor Relations Specialist and chief negotiator Edward “Bud” Mulchy, the union and management reached a tentative agreement during a session yesterday with a Federal Mediator after the University moved off of its previous “take it or leave it” offer of 1.5 percent. Mulchy said that the union is not releasing the full details of the agreement until after workers have had time to review it, but did say that the contract offer increased from 1.5 percent for one year to 5.5 percent over two years, with a wage re-opener in the third year of the agreement. Mulchy added that the union was able to lock-in health insurance coverage for the life of the new contract at the current rates of contribution. Contract talks had remained at a stalemate since the workers’ previous agreement expired this past July. The workers waged an aggressive public information campaign to point out how unfair the University’s previous offer was, picketing over the last few months, posting signs throughout the Potsdam area, and last week launching their fightforfairness.com web site. CSEA Clarkson University Local 752 President Ed Collins, a campus electrician, said that the workers received a huge outpouring of support from visitors to their web site. “Our efforts to bring our fight to the public were very successful, and we heard back from a lot of people who supported our struggle. Obviously we turned the heat up enough to get the University to move off of their previous unfair offer,” Collins said. On Monday, December 18, beginning at 2 p.m. at the Cheel Arena, the workers will meet to review details of the new tentative agreement, and will hold a ratification vote immediately afterwards. The meeting is only for union members and not open to the public. “We’re so proud of our Clarkson workers for sticking together and fighting for a more fair deal. They did a great job and should be proud,” said CSEA Central Region President Jim Moore, who recently marched with the workers in a weekend picket. LaBaff:
Clarkson Wants Decertification POTSDAM - A long-time labor
leader said he believes Clarkson University officials are using tactics to
try and decertify its CSEA union. During his career Ernie LaBaff
said he saw many efforts by companies to try and get members of a
newly-created union to decertify. “It looks like Clarkson is
trying to get people to decertify with a one year contract and a low offer
in the second year,” LaBaff said. “The one thing the union does is it
gives you a voice. You need a voice and an organized voice and the union can
give you that.” The Civil Service Employee
Association local 752 was formed in October 2004. The union ratified their
first contract last year. “The worst thing that happens
is to decertify. If they can hang in there and tough it out, over the years
they will get stronger,” LaBaff said. LaBaff noted he has worked to
help form a union at Clarkson years ago. At the time LaBaff said he received
the support of the students and professors. LaBaff recalled explaining to
students their parents wouldn't be able to send them to college if they had
to live under the same offers Clarkson was making to its employees. “I wonder where all the
students and Professors stand. I was helped very much by the students and
the professors to organize the food service there," LaBaff said. The university’s
administration has been at odds with the union since negotiations broke down
over wage increases. Administrators have been adamant in the past about a
1.5 percent pay increase pointing out with fringe benefits wrapped in the
compensation package, it is closer to a 7 percent increase. The union has countered other
workers in their jobs are making much more than Clarkson has been paying and
asked for a 3 percent wage increase. "I think it is shameful the
way Clarkson is conducting this. I question President Collins about economic
development in the North Country. For them to offer anyone one and a half
pay raise is ridiculous,” LaBaff suggested. The union's contract expired in
June. Last week union officials said they would not strike over wage
negotiations and instead would prefer to go back to the negotiating table. LaBaff said if a strike were to
take place, he believes the university would use scab laborers. “Clarkson is probably looking
at scabs. That's the way Clarkson is conducting themselves,” LaBaff said Until a contract can be settled
on, union workers will continue to work under the old agreement with
continued pay steps and benefits. “They want a decent pay raise,
I don’t think they are asking for anything monumental. They are asking for
something decent,” LaBaff said LaBaff said he would like to see
the community show its support for the union. He noted it is not
unreasonable to ask for a 3 percent raise. 'I think we are going to step
forward and start moving these negotiations along. We are not asking
Clarkson to capitulate to their demands,” LaBaff said. LaBaff noted very few
decertifications taken place. 'I urge the members at Clarkson to hang in there. Eventually if you stick together they will win. They have to stay together. This appears to me to be a classic decertification move by Clarkson. I've seen it in big business,” LaBaff said. “I know one when I see one. This is definitely one. Clarkson ought to be ashamed.” Letter
to the Editor: Village and Clarkson too cozy To the Editor: I have noticed in the past several weeks disturbing developments in the Village of Potsdam's relationship with Clarkson University. I was particularly surprised by a recent action by the mayor and the village board in granting Clarkson a $36,000 break on their water bill. We were told by the mayor at that time that some problem had occurred on the campus and $236,000 worth of water had been used by the university which they had not been billed for. The mayor was plain in his explanation that this oversight was no one's fault and had been accidental. Nevertheless our elected representatives gave the university a $36,000 discount on this bill for what it seems to me was no good reason at all. The unfortunate reality is that the remaining water ratepayers are stuck with the tab and will have to shoulder the costs associated with this delivery. I hate paying these ridiculous water and sewer charges to the village. When I tell my friends who live in other communities what I pay for these services in Potsdam they think I am joking. It will not make me feel any better about knowing that I am chipping in to pay the costs of delivering water to Clarkson, hardly a hardship case. They should be told what other customers in Potsdam are told: "Pay the bill or we'll shut off your water." About this same time I also became aware of the Planning and Development Office's submission of an application for a grant from the state for a complete makeover of Clarkson Avenue in the amount of $2,000,000. This may surprise village residents and even members of the village board owing to the complete deception with which this proposal is being presented. Misleadingly entitled "Potsdam's Walk, Bike, Paddle Project," the proposal is nothing more than an attempt to divert $2,000,000 of tax money to the direct benefit of Clarkson University. The proposal is full of happy talk about pedestrian improvements, paddling facilities on the river, and painting lines on the road to protect bicyclists along Maple Street and Clarkson Avenue, but the core of the plan, and where the money is being spent, is Clarkson Avenue, entirely within the confines of the university. You'd better sit down for this one folks: The village plans to knock the top off the Clarkson Avenue hill and completely rebuild the road and drainage systems from Maple Street to the Bagdad Road. This new avenue will also include six-foot bicycle lanes on both sides, sidewalks, new landscaping, new stone walls, and new trees. Hmmm, who could this be for? Certainly not the village residents generally, or village residents on Clarkson Avenue past the construction area, who have a long history of beating back government attempts to promote traffic on this road. The village's proposal speaks glowingly of promoting increased traffic on the road since it is so commonly used as a shortcut to Hannawa and Route 56. Assuming the new Kinney Drugs store will be occupying the corner of Clarkson Avenue and Maple Street, a Maple Street address, there is not a single taxpaying commercial or residential building from the corner of Maple Street to the Bagdad Road, and it isn't hard to see who the beneficiaries of this project are. Of the $2,000,000 price tag, $1,600,000 is grant money, Clarkson will pay $218,000, and village taxpayers will kick in $173,000. Keep this in mind the next time you cheerfully go down to pay your village property taxes. In the interest of informed debate I encourage the village to put this proposal on its web site so that all residents can judge for themselves whether this is the kind of thing they want their money and efforts spent on. The proposal has been submitted to the state and is expected to be approved by December. Soon after that the village board will be asked to put up the money. The village has a large web site but unfortunately has little on it. All these questionable things are taking place at a time when Clarkson is acting like the bully in the schoolyard in its treatment of a small fledgling bargaining unit representing its maintenance workers. The workers are determined to see justice to be done and to gain a reasonable pay increase for themselves, many of whom are earning a few cents over $8 an hour, Clarkson has told them, according to the newspapers, that they have set aside a 1.5 percent increase for them and the rest of their employees and that is it. Clarkson says that the other employees have accepted that increase and the workers represented by the union are just going to have to live with it. Apparently being used to dealing with their employees in this manner pretty much explains why this group of employees sought a bargaining unit. As a matter of fact Clarkson can probably do much better by its workers and they are the ones that are going to have to make some changes and get used to it. The university is undoubtedly frightened by the prospect that the rest of its unorganized workforce is watching the example being set by the current struggle and may itself seek the protection of a union. In the meantime the maintenance men and women are in an increasingly bitter contest with the university and may result in these least well-to-do and vulnerable workers being forced to strike against their employer in order to maintain their dignity. I hope the parties can resolve these matters without doing harm to their community which will take a long time to heal. In the meantime as a citizen and taxpayer I must object to the cozy relationship that is developing between the village and the Clarkson administration which has already cost our residents hard cash and promises to cost them a great deal more in the immediate future. I'm also alarmed that the village is apparently taking sides in the university's current labor problems by dispatching some of their enforcement personnel to harass the union concerning their signs and picketing activity. This is particularly rich when one considers that the village has pretty much abandoned all restraint and standards as far as signs are concerned, but is further evidence that the village under the present administration is playing favorites to the detriment of its citizens and taxpayers. The town and village officials have their positions due to the political power of the local Democratic Party. Democrats feel they are very much in control of local government. I'm not so sure. One of the bedrock beliefs of the Democratic Party is the right of workers to organize themselves as protection against the arbitrary power of the employer, and that the bargaining that results from this should be conducted in good faith. Democrats are for the little guy, the vulnerable, the defenseless. One thing they are against is corporate welfare. I would like to ask the mayor and village board members, and I think there are many others in the village who would like to know, are you for the big guy, or the little guy? Clarkson
walkout avoided POTSDAM - Clarkson
University’s maintenance and service workers will not go on strike to
protest their lack of a labor contract. The 100 or so members of Civil
Service Employees Association Local 752 decided instead to continue
negotiations with the university, which has proposed a 1.5 percent raise for
the workers. Union members defeated that
proposal 60-2 in July and said it is well below the 3 percent cost of living
increase. The university maintains that all employees received a 1.5 percent
raise and giving more to one group is unfair. Since the vote, employees have
staged marches and protests in the village, pleaded their case to students,
politicians and the community and picketed next to a 15-foot-tall rat that
they said represents Clarkson. The workers also are considering asking University President Anthony G. Collins to negotiate with them on Clarkson’s TV station, just to hear information and explanations from him and not secondhand. This and more protests are being considered because the employees did not want to hurt the students by striking. “We’re just going to
continue to picket and do our thing until someone listens to us,”
said Edward L. "Bud" Mulchy, a CSEA labor relations specialist
assigned to Clarkson. University spokesman Rick D.
Burt would not comment on a televised negotiation until the administration
receives a formal request, but said officials are glad the union is not
striking. “We're absolutely pleased
about it because it will give us the opportunity to continue negotiations
and find a resolution to this impasse," he said. The union and college met Sept.
25 with a federal mediator but nothing was accomplished, so a second meeting
will be scheduled. Clarkson has offered the CSEA employees $33,000 to split
among themselves for a raise, which works out to $312 extra per person per
year, or a raise of about $6 per week. The union's counterproposal was a
raise of $700 per employee per year, or about $13.46 extra per week. Electrician and union President
Edward S. Collins said this impasse has gone on far too long and while he
said a strike is possible someday, members are not ready for it yet. He also
said the union will fight for a higher wage increase as long as necessary. "We're not giving up,"
he said. We do not want to be here doing what we're doing. But we can't, we
won't settle for 1.5 percent." This weekend's rally will take
place at 5 p.m. Saturday at Maple Street and Clarkson Avenue. The giant rat
will make an appearance.
Clarkson
workers to University: we're not interested in striking; POTSDAM – Clarkson University Facilities & Services workers, represented by CSEA (the Civil Service Employees Association) Local 752, met last night and rejected rumors of a strike, and said that University Administration should come back to the bargaining table, willing to move off their “take it or leave it” approach to negotiating a wage increase for the 100 or so workers. “We’re not interested in striking, and we’re not the ones who have been doing all the talking about it,” said Local 752 President Ed Collins. “What we’re interested in is fair bargaining, where the University comes to the table with a wage offer that treats our members with respect and allows them to keep up with the cost of living, instead of trying to pit us against each other and break us apart. “Our campus workers are going to stand firm and united, and continue to demand fair bargaining, and we’re not going to let ourselves get pushed into actions that would hurt our University community. That’s not what we’re about,” he added. Collins said the workers will continue to reach out to the public, as well as students, parents, alumni, faculty, trustees and politicians to build support for their struggle. “This is no longer a fight about money. The University has made that clear. They can easily afford the additional $40,000 we’re asking for. This is about fairness and respect, and their efforts to break us apart, and we’re not going to let that happen.” The
workers will again rally this Saturday, October 28th at 5 p.m., at the
corners of Maple Street and Clarkson Avenue in Potsdam, joined by a
15-foot inflatable rat, which they say represents the University’s
negotiating stance.
People traveling past Clarkson University this afternoon may be surprised by an oversized vermin standing on the street corner – but don’t worry, he’s an inflatable rat, not a real one. Clarkson University Facilities & Services workers, represented by CSEA Local 752, will be protesting their current negotiation impasse with the University by placing a giant 15-foot-tall rat at the intersection of Maple and Pine streets. The workers say the rat symbolizes the University Administration. “We smell a rat in these negotiations, and it’s definitely our University Administration,” said Ed Collins, Local 752 president. “We’ve been willing to compromise, but they haven’t budged an inch. It’s unfair to the workers and unfair to our entire campus community, which is suffering.” From 5 to 7 p.m. today, the workers will demonstrate with the giant rat in front of the University. Clarkson employs approximately one hundred maintenance, buildings and grounds, and custodial workers who are members of the CSEA Local 752 labor union. The workers voted down a contract proposed by Clarkson in July. Letter
to the Editor In
all of the years we have worked at Clarkson University, the benefits of
health insurance, our children's education, dental and vision, etc. have
always been a part of our working arrangement. In all of our seven
negotiating sessions, the issue of benefits was never raised. The wages
were contingent on enrollment and all of the information that was supplied
to the union was that enrollment was down. After the contract was voted
down, the CSEA negotiating team found out the enrollment figures were way
above their predictions and our benefits then became the issue, i.e. seven
percent. They still offered us 1.5% or $33,000 divided amongst the
employees equally. Clarkson
workers push contract fight POTSDAM – About 100 CSEA-represented Clarkson University facilities and services workers are turning up the heat in their struggle to gain a fair contract offer from the University's administration. The workers say they’re frustrated over the university’s substandard wage offer, which doesn’t allow them to keep up with cost of living increases. The workers began negotiating for a new contract in May, and their previous one-year contract expired June 30. Recently, CSEA members took their struggle to the streets, marching through Potsdam and handing out flyers to students, parents and Village business owners. Supportive students joined the workers in demonstrations. The workers have also begun attending University sporting events en masse; wearing t- shirts bearing the slogan “We support the students who support us.” Clarkson University Local President Ed Collins, a mechanic electrician, said the workers want to remind the students they need support in their struggle. “We’re in it for the long haul, as long as it takes to get a fair contract from this administration,” he said. “We want to remind the students we need their support, and we’ll be cheering them on to give them our support.” A
sign of controversy CSEA Labor Relations Specialist and Chief Negotiator Edward “Bud” Mulchy said the village's code enforcement officer has ordered the union to remove the public signs over a supposed failure to get the proper permits. The union attempted to gain such permits, which Mulchy said were denied over an obscure code the union doesn’t believe applies. Mulchy believes university administrators were behind the village order, and he said the union will pursue any available legal remedies to ensure the workers have their right to voice their concerns publicly. As this issue of The Work Force was going to press, the workers were scheduled to meet with a federal mediator to try to settle the agreement. Clarkson
CSEA Readies For Potential Walkout POTSDAM
– Clarkson’s CSEA Local 752 has started getting things in place in the
event the union decides they want to walk out in light of the recent
break-down in negotiations. CSEA
President Ed Collins said the union will talk about the possibility of a
strike and in the meantime they've been going through the process to
initiate a strike such as getting permission from the president's office. 'We're
going to have a general membership meeting on the (October) 25th and that
will be a topic of conversation," he said. In
the interim, Collins said there is going to be further action throughout the
community and more public displays of their distaste of a 1.5 percent pay
increase. "It's
pathetic as far as I'm concerned," Collins said of the pay increase
proposal. "With a 1.5 percent raise pool you’re actually falling
behind the cost of living." Clarkson
Director of Media Relations Rick Burt said the school still hopes to resolve
the contract issue and pointed out the wage and salary increase is the same
across the board, He added when fringe benefits, are figured in, the
increase is closer to 7 percent. But
Collins argued the 1.5 percent wage increase isn’t fair when considering
their people make less than any other school and it takes longer than any
other area university to get to the top of the salary scale. He explained to
get to the top at SUNY Potsdam or SUNY Canton it takes seven years, at St.
Lawrence University it takes eight years but at Clarkson it can take 30
years to reach the top. He
said staff like custodians who start at $8.17 would have to stay for the 30
years or more just to reach $12.56 an hour. To
rectify that, Collins said he would like 10 cents added on to the pay scale
steps and make the top attainable within 10 years. Burt
said the reason the school is offering the 1.5 percent salary increase is
because that’s what the entire university is getting. He
added they have always said the CSEA’s wage increase pool was a merit
based pool and have never varied from that. He said that means they will get
the same percentage which is what the whole university raise pool is based
on. "Everyone
has the same pool amount but they divvy it up based on merit," he said. Collins
said when he started working at the university in 1989, Clarkson was the
highest paying university in the area. "They've
gone from the highest paying to the lowest paying 30 plus percent," he
said. He noted several people have left in the past year taking jobs elsewhere which offer better pay.
Clarkson
service workers union considering strike POTSDAM – Clarkson University’s maintenance and service workers are considering going on strike as a last-ditch effort to obtain what they consider a fair wage hike. Neither side is willing to budge in the ongoing negotiations. The university has offered a 1.5 percent raise, which it offered to all employees, but the nearly 100 employees of the Civil Service Employees Association Local 752 said that amount is less than half of the cost-of-living increase. The union meets Oct. 25 and will discuss whether to go on strike. Electrician and union member Edward S. Collins said doing so would hurt the students but, while nobody really wants a strike, it may be the only way to get Clarkson’s attention. “It would show them we’re a valuable part of this university,” he said. “Without us this place wouldn’t operate.” The union and college met Sept. 25 with a federal mediator, but nothing was accomplished, Mr. Collins said. The university has offered the CSEA employees $33,000 to split among themselves for a raise, which works out to $312 extra per person per year, or a raise of approximately 15 cents an hour. The union’s counterproposal was a raise of $700 per employee per year, or about 33 cents an hour. Clarkson has said that since all employees received the 1.5 percent wage hike this year, giving one group more than another is unfair. But Mr. Collins said the way Clarkson treats its service workers is unfair anyway, inasmuch as the average maintenance salary is $23,400 a year. “Obviously we hope that they don’t strike,” university spokesman Rick D. Brut said. “We’re still apart on the issues but we’re trying to negotiate.” Mr. Burt also said the total increase is actually 7.5 percent because the university is absorbing the rising cost of health care. Edward L. “Bud” Mulchy, the CSEA labor relations specialist assigned to Clarkson, said he doesn’t encourage the strike but will do what the members want. He said a prestigious college such as Clarkson should not have employees on food stamps. “They’re just tired of this,” he said of the union members. The next negotiation meeting has not been scheduled. Union members defeated the proposed labor contract 60-2 on July 19. To
rally public support for their cause, employees took a few afternoons in
August and September to march around downtown Potsdam, holding signs and
chanting their wishes for a better contract offer. Some of these employees
will protest again tonight on Maple Street. CSEA
Strike Looms? POSTDAM
- Arguments over pay increases and the continued break-down of negotiations
between Clarkson University and CSRA Local 752 could lead to a strike by the
union. The
near 90 union members are expected to meet within the next few days when
their president, Ed Collins, returns from Now York City to vote on whether
or not to drop their mops and pick up picket signs Collins
is in the city with a "shame shame on Clarkson" sign trying to get
the sign aired on Good Morning America today and tomorrow morning. "I
think the members are tired of it. I'm not talking strike but they are.
They're so frustrated with Clarkson," CSEA Labor Relations Specialist
Bud Mulchy said. Clarkson
Director of Media Relations Rick Burt didn't comment on the threatened
strike but said they do support the union. "We
certainly support the employees' rights to be represented by union, we're
just disappointed we just can't come to resolution and move forward,"
Burt said, "The union's going to do what they think they have to do and
we just want to negotiate a contract." The
union went back to the table yesterday with Clarkson officals and a mediator
from the Federal Mediation Conciliation Services (FMCS), Both Mulchy and
Burt said there was no progress made from those talks. While
Burt declined to comment on the proceedings, Mulchy said Clarkson hasn't
changed their tone regarding pay raises, He said Clarkson is insistent on
the 1.5 percent pay increase. Clarkson
officials have argued in the past the L5 percent is what everyone at the
university received for a pay raise. However,
Mulchy said a 1.5 percent pay increase for a 23,000 a year CSEA worker is
not the same as a 1.5 percent pay increase for a $60,000 a year professor. "When
you look at the fact our members are on food stamps, that's sad.” he said.
"They're a prestigious college. They've got to be ashamed of
themselves." The
union is asking for a $700 increase across the board this year for all
members which isn't much, Mulchy said, considering Clarkson's attorneys are
being paid $400 to $600 an hour to handle the negotiations. University
officials have pointed out in the past with the increased cost of health
insurance and other benefits calculated into what union members are
receiving in the new contract, it's more like a 7 percent increase in the
total package, Burt
said the university is upset to see no resolution after Monday's
negotiation. "We’re
disappointed and we do appreciate the effort on the side of' the mediation,
the FMCS," Burt said. The
mediator is expected to contact both parties within the next couple of days
to try and bring them back to the bargaining table, However, Mulchy said if
Clarkson won't open up more money then there's no point opening up the talks
once more. The
union's contract expired in June. Until a contract can be settled on, union
workers will continue to work under the old agreement with continued pay
steps and benefits, according to Burt. Mulchy
said there does seem to be a lot of support for the union with support CSEA
signs, similar to political signs, popping up in yards. However, he
expressed renewed disappointment the village of Potsdam wouldn't work with
the union for their banner on the Canton-Potsdam Road near Eben's Hearth. In
fact, Mulchy said the village wouldn't even issue a permit to let them have
the sign there legally. "We
think it’s a freedom of speech issue," Mulchy said. However,
village officials have stated the banners are illegal constituting as an
off-premise sign, The only legal place for such a sign is near Mama Lucia's. Mulchy
said he feels that issue may wind up in court. Clarkson
denies urging removal of union’s signs POTSDAM
- Clarkson University denied Tuesday that it asked the village to remove two
signs on Maple Street promoting the Union's position in the Clarkson
contract struggle. Edward
L. "Bud" Mulchy, the Civil Service Employees Association Unit 752
labor relations specialist assigned to Clarkson, said Monday that the
university was behind the village’s order to remove the illegal signs,
which the union has 30 days to do. Members
of CSEA, which represents 100 or so service and custodial employees at
Clarkson, in June voted 60-2 to defeat a labor contract that would have
given them a 1.5 percent raise. Since then, they have protested the small
wage hike offer via the signs and downtown marches, saying the
cost-of-living increase is at least twice the proposed raise. Village
Code Enforcement Officer John F. Hill ordered the signs taken down since
they violate the village code that bans off-premises signs. Mr. HM said he
noticed the signs and contacted Clarkson and then Mr. Mulchy. “This
is my job,” he said. “I had no word from Clarkson.” Clarkson
alerted Mr. Mulchy to the situation, and Mr. Hill did the same an hour
later, prompting Mr. Mulchy’s thought that Clarkson was behind the whole
thing. "There's
absolutely no merit in that statement," said Clarkson spokesman Rick D.
Burt. “We wouldn’t interfere with their right to picket.” The
large wooden signs are both on Maple Street just past Clarkson Avenue, on
properties owned by Frederick D. “Hank” Robar. Mr.
Mulchy called the village requesting to erect the signs Aug. 31 and was told
they were a violation. The only place off-premises signs are allowed is in
the field next to Mama Lucia restaurant, but property owner Lawrence J.
Hazen did not want such signs in the field, saying only signs promoting
community events are appropriate. The union put up the signs on Maple Street anyway and was ordered to take them down, which it did Sept. 2. A few days later, they were back up, one on a snowmobile trailer and one in the back of a truck. Mr. Hill said this still is illegal, since the signs are not on CSEA premises. He
also said these signs are different from those on vehicles advertising
services because those vehicles are intended for commercial use and are
parked at businesses or the owner’s home at night, unlike the union signs. If
the signs are not down, union representatives were told Mr. Robar could face
a $250 a day fine if the matter is taken to court. “We
plan to comply,” Mulchy said. The next step in the contract negotiations is a federal mediation between the union and the university on Sept. 25. CSEA Signs Must Go Due To Village Code POTSDAM - Clarkson University's CSEA workers will have to remove signs stating their displeasure with the university's negotiation tactics over a contract because they don't meet village code, Clarkson
University workers turn up the heat in POTSDAM
– About 100 Clarkson University facilities and services workers are
turning up the heat in their struggle to gain a fair contract offer from
Clarkson University administration. The
workers, represented by CSEA Local 752, say they are frustrated over the
university’s too-low wage offer, that wouldn’t allow them to keep up
with rising costs of living. The workers began negotiating for a new
contract this past May and their previous one-year contract expired on
June 30th. On
Tuesday, September 12, a group of the workers will attend en masse the
University Women’s Soccer Team game vs. Plattsburgh State at the
Clarkson University Field at 4 p.m. The workers will all be wearing lime
green tee shirts bearing the slogan “We support the students who support
us.” They will be at the game to support the Clarkson students, who
recently marched with them in support during several public marches
through the Village of Potsdam and plan on attending other University
sporting events until their contract dispute is resolved. According
to Local 752 President Ed Collins, a mechanic electrician at the
University, the workers want to remind the students that they need support
in their struggle. “We’re
in it for the long haul, as long as it takes to get a fair contract from
this administration,” Collins said. “We want to remind the students
that we need their support, and we’ll be cheering them on to give them
our support.” A
controversy has also arisen over the union’s erecting of several signs
in the Village of Potsdam regarding their contract struggle. According to
CSEA Labor Relations Specialist and Chief Negotiator Edward “Bud”
Mulchy, the Village Code Enforcement Office has ordered the union to
remove the public signs, over a supposed failure to get the proper
permits, despite the union’s attempts to gain such permits, which Mulchy
said were denied over an obscure code that the union doesn’t believe
applies. Mulchy said the University Administration was behind the Village
order, and that the union will pursue any available legal remedies to make
sure that the workers have their right to voice their concerns publicly. The
next step in the contract negotiations will take place on September 25th
at 3 p.m. when a federal mediator will sit down with both parties to
attempt to mediate the dispute. Maintenance
Workers Continue Struggle with Administration for Higher Wages As
Clarkson students picked up textbooks and school supplies at the University
Bookstore and the Computer Guys last weekend, members of the CSEA Local 752
labor union waited outside to talk to students and their families about the
union's dissatisfaction with the contract offered to them by Clarkson
University. According to members of the union, the contract, which proposes
a 1.5 percent wage increase for Clarkson employees, does little to
counteract the rising costs of gas and living. The union members also asked
students to sign a petition showing their support. Clarkson
Maintenance Staff Protests for Larger Pay Raise Clarkson
maintenance workers, angry with the administration over their treatment,
protested in the streets of Potsdam last Wednesday through Friday, August
23-25. Carrying signs and chanting, the Clarkson University employees made
their dissatisfaction with their offered wage increase known to the public. Taking
It To The Streets Clarkson
workers to protest About 100 union members at Clarkson University say they will march through Potsdam to protest an "insulting" contract offer from the University. The workers, members of CSEA Local 752, are maintenance, buildings & grounds and custodial employee. The union says the membership voted overwhelmingly to reject a contract offer that didn't keep up with inflation. After the rejection, the University came back to the table targeting healthcare costs, which hadn't been a part of previous negotiations, the union says. The workers plan to march through the village of Potsdam on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 4 p.m. each day.
Clarkson University workers protesting Dozens of Clarkson University workers are protesting a contract offer from the school. They
are from the Civil Service Employee Association. Maintenance and grounds
workers marched through the Village of Potsdam Tuesday. But workers say they are already some of the lowest paid on campus and that offer does not keep up with inflation. Instead, they are asking for a $70,000 wage increase. Labor talks unfold poorly Clarkson CSEA Protesting Lack of Contract Silently Union
rejects Clarkson pact by landslide POTSDAM - Clarkson University physical plant,
custodial and service employees overwhelmingly killed a proposed labor
contract, 60-2, Wednesday afternoon. Members of Civil Service Employees
Association Unit 752, which represents about 100 Clarkson employees,
defeated the contract that would have given them a 1.5 percent raise and
locked in health insurance rates for the next three years. Edward L. "Bud" Mulchy, the CSEA
labor relations specialist assigned to Clarkson, said the stories he heard
at the voting booth were of frustration and outrage. He said employees are
upset that the cost of living has increased by 3 percent but -their wages
would go up by only half of that. "I think they spoke their heart,"
he said. "Just give us a fair wage, that's all." Negotiations on the contract began in April
and now will resume. Mr. Mulchy said members were happy with die rest of the
contract except the wages, making that the sole focus of future discussions. Clarkson spokesman Rick D. Burt said the
university is disappointed that the contract was defeated. "We believe the contract negotiated
between Clarkson and CSEA was a fair contract providing wage and benefits
consistent with those provided to other Clarkson employees," he said.
"We anticipate further discussions with the CSEA and a good faith
effort to produce a new contract." One union member, who declined to be named
for fear of reprisal, said all that the members wanted was a reasonable wage
for their work and that Clarkson needs to follow through on its statement
that it is an economic leader in the north country. How can a university that says this allow its
employees to qualify for government assistance programs?" the member
said. "Is this being an economic leader or just another employer
keeping the north country in an economic depression?" Clarkson's physical plant, custodial and service workers became the university’s first union in April 2004 after three unsuccessful attempts in 15 years.
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