Update on Cornell-UAW negotiations

Aug. 16, 2024

Dear Ithaca campus community,

As you may know, the university and the United Automobile Workers (UAW) have been working on a new collective bargaining agreement since April 2024. The UAW represents about 1,300 of our employees across campus, including in Dining, Building Care, Facilities, CALS, CVM and the Statler Hotel. The university and the UAW have had a productive labor-management relationship for more than 40 years, and we are committed to the continued success of this relationship and to reaching our next agreement.

Despite the best efforts of the university, the parties have not yet reached a new agreement. The parties have been successful on a number of key issues concerning the bargaining unit, such as health and personal leave (“HAP”), vacation consistent with university policy, and health and safety. We have proposed to the UAW that we use the federal mediator assigned to the negotiations or a mediator of the UAW’s choice to assist the parties in reaching a complete agreement. The UAW has rejected this suggestion.

The University’s latest offer to the UAW includes the following:

• 6% wage increase in the first year, with additional increases in each of the additional proposed years.
• Changes to wage rates based on years of service which, with the 6% increase, result in wage increases of at least 10% for more than half of the unit.
• A reduction of the time for new employees to reach the job rate for their positions, from three years to one year.
• An increased wage for our most senior employees, recognizing them at 10 years and 25 years of service.
• Bonuses recognizing the longevity of employees at 5 and 15 years of service.
• Increases to clothing and shoe allowances across the unit, including provision of these allowances to additional groups of employees.
• Increased pay rates for employees providing peer-to-peer on the job training.
• Increased eligibility for shift differential.
• Support for tipped employees with retirement savings.

We are committed to continuing to bargain with the UAW to reach a new agreement.

The university is aware that the UAW has voted to authorize a strike and has scheduled a rally for today at Bailey Hall. If a strike is called, employees represented by the UAW may decide to join the strike or they may elect to report to work. We respect employees’ right to make this decision.

If the UAW calls a strike, the university has contingency plans in place to maintain essential services. Any shifts in operations, such as reduced dining hours or offerings, will be communicated on a rolling basis as these impacts may vary day to day. Employees with questions should consult with their supervisors for additional guidance on contingency plans.

The university continues to bargain in good faith. We remain hopeful we will find common ground on the remaining open issues and reach a tentative agreement acceptable to the employees represented by the UAW.

Sincerely,

Christine Lovely
Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer