CUNY Reaches Pact with DC 37; PSC Turns Down Offer

The City University of New York reached a tentative three-year contract with District Council 37 May 20 that provides raises of 3.15 percent the first year and 4 percent in each of the next two years, as well as a $50 increase to the welfare fund. The agreement, which would run from Oct. 1, 2006 through Oct. 31, 2009 needs to be ratified by union members.

BARBARA BOWEN: CUNY's future riding on pact.

"This agreement is responsive to our dedicated staff who support the academic programs, research, student services and facilities that are vital to the operation of the university," said CUNY Chancellor Matthew Goldstein.

Others Agree, PSC Holding Out

CUNY also reached tentative agreements under the same terms with three other unions - Service Employees International Union Local 100, the International Association of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 306, and the New York State Nurses Association.

CUNY remains in negotiations with the Professional Staff Congress after the 22,000-member faculty union rejected an initial contract offer May 19.

PSC Rejects Offer

The PSC rejected a 37-month contract offer that called for annual increases of 3.15 percent the first year and 3 percent in each of the next two years, plus an additional 2 percent to address other economic needs. The package also offered slight increases in contributions to the union's welfare fund.

A spokeswoman for the PSC remained optimistic, calling it the beginning of a discussion between the two sides.

PSC members have been working under an expired contract since last September.

Falls 'Dramatically Short'

In a May 19 letter to her members, PSC President Barbara Bowen explained why the offer was turned down. She stated that after several attempts to win a new contract, including protests at a dozen CUNY campuses and a PSC demonstration at the April Board of Trustees meeting, the offer was "dramatically short of the amount needed to lift salaries to an acceptable level and address other critical issues."

According to the most recent data released by the PSC, CUNY salaries lag at least 20 percent behind salaries at comparable public universities, and more than 40 percent behind the real-dollar value in the 1970s.

"CUNY's failure to provide competitive salaries is tearing the university apart," Ms. Bowen said. "Untenured faculty are leaving for better jobs, senior scholars are being recruited elsewhere, and top candidates for CUNY positions are turning CUNY down. The future of the university is at stake."

Ms. Bowen acknowledged that PSC priorities have been heard, but warned that "unless the economic offer is expanded, CUNY will put a whole generation of faculty, staff - and students - at risk."