Union Matters

Columbia graduate students call university’s bluff, strike marches on

By STEPHON JOHNSON

Amsterdam News Staff

Columbia University graduate workers remain unafraid.

This week marks the group’s sixth week of its strike against the university after the university threatened them with losing their current gigs and replacing them leading up to the end of the school year.

Student Workers of Columbia-UAW 2110 officially went on strike on Nov. 4 calling for better wages, a neutral third-party arbitrator, and a comprehensive health care plan with vision and dental coverage. Specifically, they want $26 an hour minimum wage with a yearly increase by $1.50 along with dental and health coverage.

Eduardo Vergara, PhD candidate, department of Latin American and Iberian cultures, told the AmNews recently, “I would have found a job there and tried to continue with my dissertation. What about the next few years? No idea.”

Tamara Heche, PhD candidate, department of Latin American and Iberian cultures, added that “these threats are even more concerning and damaging for the academic community as a whole.”

Graduate workers have complained about working overtime to complete work and feel like they’re being used as cheap labor for the Ivy League institution.

Last week, the AmNews obtained an email that Columbia University Vice President of Human Resources Dan Driscoll sent to student workers telling them that the university intended to permanently replace their labor post-Dec. 10.

When the strike began in November, graduate workers pointed to the university’s unwillingness to negotiate certain issues. It rendered bargaining useless in their eyes. In November, in a letter to members of the Columbia University community, Mary C. Boyce, provost and professor of mechanical engineering, stated that the workers were offered what they thought was a fair deal. “As you may be aware, these talks are progressing more slowly than either side would like and we face the very real possibility of a strike…,” wrote Boyce. “I believe that a strike is unnecessary and avoidable, and that the priority right now should be to allow negotiations to play out.”

According to the university, they offered a $42,766 salary for PhD students on 12month appointments, $32,074 for students on 9-month appointments with 3%. For graduate students, they offered an immediate compensation increase of 5% with a 3% increase and a minimum increase of $21 an hour after three years. The deal also included the doubling of the school’s annual childcare subsidy and a support fund for reimbursement of out-ofpocket medical expenses.

Last week, Columbia University Director of

Media Relations Caroline Adelman stated: “A (Photo courtesy of peterspiro via iStock) recent message to the union bargaining committee explaining the University’s approach to spring appointments and teaching assignments was necessary to sustain the academic progress of our students, particularly undergraduates whose classes are disrupted, and also to ensure that students who are working receive their spring assignments on time…” University officials didn’t respond to requests for comment this week. But graduate students have other organizations on their side. In an emailed statement, State Senators Jabari Brisport and Julia Salazar, New York City Council Member Tiffany Cabán, the New York City Democratic Socialists along with a slew of New York State Assembly Members, called on the school to end its Columbia graduate students continue threat against its graduate workers. to strike for better wages and benefits. “Low wages and inadequate healthcare have long acted as barriers which keep working class students, students of color, and many others from pursuing graduate education,” read the statement. “Columbia, which has elsewhere expressed a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion should act on this opportunity to make graduate education accessible to students from a variety of backgrounds, rather than maintaining the de facto exclusion which is the result of compensation that falls far below the cost of living and the failure to provide insurance which meets basic needs, such as dental care.”

CUNY students/unions march for a new deal

By STEPHON JOHNSON

Amsterdam News Staff

City University of New York (CUNY) students, faculty and staff have clamored for an increase in their budget. Last weekend, they took their grievances to the streets.

Both groups, along with elected officials, marched in Queens calling on the New York State government to fully fund their budget request and embrace CUNY’s “New Deal.”

Nearly 1,000 CUNY students, faculty and staff and elected officials marched from LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City to the CUNY School of Law and ending at Court Square Park. Marchers wore masks that read “#APeoplesCUNY” and red shirts stating, “Everybody Love Somebody at CUNY.”

New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams joined the protesters in Queens and said that the well-being of the students is CUNY’s key to success. Faculty and staff are the door. The university is ignoring it at their peril.

“I’m a proud CUNY alumni twice over, and as CUNY continues to be the path to higher education for so many, especially immigrant, low-income, Black and Brown New Yorkers, it is completely unacceptable that its per-student budget has plummeted in the last 15 years,” stated Williams. “The current tuition hikes, lack of sufficient mental health counselors, and deteriorating infrastructure show a failure to prioritize affordable public education, or support students and staff alike. Albany must fully fund CUNY with a new deal that prioritizes equity, so that the opportunity that I and so many others had for a high quality CUNY education is accessible to all New Yorkers.”

CUNY’s New Deal requests an increase in funding which, according to the Professional Staff Congress (PSC-CUNY), has fallen at CUNY senior colleges by 38% since 1990 and 18% since 2008. With the addition of “inflation, leading to tuition hikes, reduced services, over reliance on underpaid adjuncts and shortages of full-time faculty and staff.”

According to the PSC-CUNY, the university is asking for an operating budget increase of $313 million to hire more than 1,000 full-time faculty in addition to new mental health counselors and advisors and a tuition freeze. Champions of the bill want a $5.8 billion increase in capital reserved for CUNY for the next five years.

CUNY officials declined AmNews’ request for comment.

Senator Andrew Gounardes, the main sponsor of the New Deal for CUNY legislation (New York Senate Bill S4461)—which is co-sponsored by fellow state senators Alessandra Biaggi, Brian Benjamin, Jamaal Bailey and Jabari Brisport—stated that any budget would need to show love to CUNY because it’s an important part of the road to upward mobility for disadvantaged New Yorkers.

“CUNY is the pride of NYC. Most CUNY students stay here after graduating and contribute billions of dollars to our economy,” said Gounardes. “As we look for ways to recover from the COVID-19 economic crisis, what better way than to invest in a sure thing: our amazing public universities. Our students deserve full time teachers, mental health support, academic advisors and buildings that aren’t falling apart. The New Deal for CUNY is common sense smart fiscal policy and I’m ready to fight for it in 2022.” Earlier this spring, PSC-CUNY helped launch campaign ads that ran on New York, Long Island, Albany and Westchester broadcast and digital media, calling for an end to tax breaks for the rich (money that could be used to increase CUNY’s budget) and to embrace the new deal. One CUNY alum whose name has been one of the topics of political conversation, spoke and reminded the state that supporting CUNY is supporting the people. “As a proud CUNY graduate, I know firsthand the power of a CUNY education and the opportunity it provides to so many New Yorkers who might otherwise not have access to higher education,” said New York Attorney General Letitia James. “But there would be no CUNY without the dedicated professors and faculty and staff behind it, and we must give them and our students the support they need to keep this system running. That means ensuring fair staffing ratios, providing adequate mental health support, and keeping tuition low so that all our students can have access to the quality education they deserve.

“These investments into CUNY are key to the continued success of New York City and the entire state,” James said.

(Photo courtesy of Professional Staff Congress (PSC-CUNY) CUNY faculty, staff, students, and elected officials demand a “New Deal.”

Quit smoking our future

By KERON ALLEYNE

There is another concern brewing in the communities of Black and Brown people. Please consider this a warning from the great community of East New York, Brooklyn.

Last week, a new smoke shop opened up in our neighborhood—directly across from a middle school in the district. J.H.S. 166 or George Gershwin campus is the school, which is surrounded by various safe havens for young people. Directly behind the school sits Sonny Carson (Linden) Park which has a track, tennis courts, playgrounds, outdoor workout facilities—the school boasts a recording studio and directly around the corner sits the Prince Joshua Avitto Community Center. All of these are amenities that have been supported under the elected leadership of Assemblymember Charles Barron and Councilmember Inez Barron to improve the lives of our young people.

This smoke shop and all others are a direct assault on that positive vision for all young people. Once this smoke shop appeared in this odd location, questions were asked of its owner and why on its awning it was advertising itself as ‘Van Siclen Candy Shop’ when it was clearly a smoke shop. There was ultimately no resolution after a preliminary discussion happened since the owner stated so much was invested in making the shop what it was. Brother Andre T. Mitchell of Man Up Inc. reached out to me as a local organizer and chairperson of Operation P.O.W.E.R. to collaborate on a rally to communicate our concerns another way. On Tuesday, Dec. 7, at the time of dismissal (2 p.m.) we let our displeasure be known as a collective. As a collective community—which included Assemblymember Charles Barron, Community Board 5, Man Up Inc., the Nation of Islam, Operation P.O.W.E.R., Brite Leadership Coalition and various community members—we demanded the business be shut down.

In the windows of the business were cartoon characters that had bongs, hookah and blunts in their mouths. Along their walls other smoke-related paraphernalia were on display with brightly colored smoke devices. If you didn’t know any better, the location could’ve been a toy shop or even a candy shop. This blurred line was only underscored by the workers saying they wouldn’t remove anything without the owner’s approval. As a community we went back outside chanting for the location to be shut down and put the community on notice. Within 10 minutes our demand was met as the workers left the premises and the gates shuttered. After this, we made a collective decision to be back out there every day at the same

time until the business would really shut down indefinitely. The next day we would meet very little resistance with the business gates already shuddered.

We got on the bullhorn chanting, “No smoke shops…in front of our schools,” as students and parents alike joined in. It was a beautiful display of community solidarity and to our joy we got word that the shop would be closed indefinitely. We won! A true community victory that was won collectively but this is a wakeup call for all Black and Brown communities. Our community is littered with liquor stores, fast food, and now we’re dealing with a surge in smoke shops. Throughout the pandemic several locations just like this one have opened up in various sections of the community. In fact, these smoke shops seem to see opportunity in advertising these shops to our children for long-term gain. We must push back on that notion even if it takes rallies and confrontation. The youth will take our place someday and the community they inherit is just as important as the educational foundation they receive. As a community, we quit smoking and we join the fight to safeguard the community’s future.

Trump’s wall of defiance crumbling

Aha, Trump’s chief of staff, Mark Meadows, has been held in contempt of Congress by the full House after the committee charged him with defying a subpoena. Possible criminal charges loom for Meadows from the House’s vote of 222-208, clearly along party lines. Key to the contempt charge is that he did nothing to stop his boss from urging on the insurrection at the Capitol last January. This is part of a one-two punch against the EDITORIAL former president after a federal judge ruled on Tuesday that his tax filings can be released by the Treasury Department. With this judgment, the House Ways and Means Committee gains access to Trump’s tax returns, files he had fought to keep from public scrutiny. It’s still to be determined if the files will actually be exposed to the public, but it’s clearly a another blow to the widening chink in his armor and Meadows’ vacillations and shielding himself behind the president’s so-called executive privilege proved ineffective.

Meadows joins Trump’s other confidante and ringleader Steve Bannon, who has openly defied the House for a deposition and refused to produce documents related to the attack. He awaits arraignment and has surrendered his passport.

Neither faces long jail terms or expensive fines if convicted, but it does mean that we are slowly witnessing key members of his gang being picked off. It is our hope that it gets closer and closer to the boss himself, and brings him before the justices—of course, not those in the Supreme Court.

And we are certainly excited to hear that the attorney general of Washington, D.C. has taken steps to sue the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys, aiming to hurt Trump’s supporters financially and converge financial charges with the criminal charges they face.

The network of right wingers, white supremacists, and reactionaries is getting the necessary hits to both repair some of the damage it has done and hopefully stifle any future anti-democratic uprisings.

DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not represent those of the New York Amsterdam News. We continue to publish a variety of viewpoints so that we may know the opinions of others that may differ from our own.

ARMSTRONG WILLIAMS

It pains me to see the sinfulness and moral treachery of our youth in America today. A notable example of this was during the Astroworld concert in Houston, Texas, which brought to light just how low our nation has fallen. At least 8 lives were tragically lost, with over 100 injured. All in the name of worshipping celebrities as if they are deities. Where has our faith gone?

Famed rapper Travis Scott hosted his notorious Astroworld event in Houston amid the jubilation of tens of thousands of fans. They flocked to Texas to walk through the massive gaping mouth of Travis Scott which brought them into Scott’s concert, or as they may call it, the Promised Land. Shortly after the event started, the bloodbath began. Thousands rushed through the gates for a front row view of Scott in action. In the process, people were trampled and killed. What is so sad is that these people must have felt human bodies underneath them as they sprinted towards the stage, yet they cared so little to stop and help. What is worse is that there are reports of a mysterious man who was injecting concertgoers and security with unknown substances. Yes, a man walked around with a syringe and was sticking people with drugs or poison. Quickly, the fans started falling dead.

There are horrifying and creepy videos of Scott “floating” over fans on a prop, while you see dead fans being pulled out of the crowd. Of course, that did not stop many from dancing their minds away. Only after extended calls for Scott to stop the show did it finally end. That was not before his staff and many security personnel pushed to keep the show going. It is sickening to think about. It will be seen whether Scott and those close to him will face criminal prosecution for their actions, or lack thereof.

The terrible events of Texas are just the tip of the iceberg of a disturbing trend in this country, and in many ways the Western world at large. The obsession with brands, labels, and celebrities has crossed the line from mere fandom and is now nothing less than idol worship. One of the Ten Commandments, to not worship idols, is being practiced by millions of Americans today. These worshippers bow down to their saviors who take the form of rappers like Travis Scott and brands like Louis Vuitton. The inflated media culture and false worth of “likes” on social media has driven this generation mad.

Think about this for a second; who were your heroes growing up? Maybe it was your parents, a distinguished political figure, or an all-star athlete. In short, the heroes of the past were those who lived long, fruitful lives, who overcame adversity, and in the face of that struggle, succeeded. They lived by example, and in turn, we sought to live by their example. Who are the heroes of today? People like the Kardashians, who have gained fame by posting provocative photos on social media and flaunting their jet setting lifestyle on Instagram. Kids today idolize Lil Nas X, who infamously posted a music video depicting sexual acts with the devil. Is this not devil worship? Is this not debauchery of the highest degree?

Our nation is following in the footsteps of the destroyed cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. These depraved cities were famously destroyed by God in the biblical narrative of Genesis. Whether you believe the story actually happened or not does not discount the powerful lesson of the narrative; a society will destroy itself if it is grounded in immoral and corrupt behavior. In truth, this idea should be common sense. How can a society survive like that? If all people do is value sinful behavior, material goods, and instant gratification, its pitfalls will eventually catch up to itself.

America was founded on the righteous ideals of lifting up your neighbor and working towards a common and better future. Americans today are focused on lifting only themselves up, often at the expense of a common and better future. We must ask ourselves where we wish to see this country 20 years from now. Do we want to be a blip in history, like many experiments in the past, or do we want to continue to be a shining light for peoples and nations to turn to in their best and worst moments? Our actions over the next few years will determine that fate.

CHRISTINA GREER PH.D.

I know it seems like we just finished an election season…because we did. And I hope you voted and encouraged others in your family and friend group to participate in the most recent municipal elections. Well, if you participated, I thank you. If you did not and are eligible to do so, don’t fret, another election is just around the corner.

In the next few months, New Yorkers will have the opportunity to weigh in on who will be the Democratic nominee for governor of New York. Due to Andrew Cuomo resigning and his Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul becoming the governor, we will see a robust primary season with candidates already declaring their intentions to become the Democratic nominee.

Gov. Hochul has been aggressively fundraising and traveling across the state dealing with COVID and a myriad of governor’s duties. She has also employed her lieutenant governor (former Harlem State Senator) Brian Benjamin to travel across the state to assist her in her leadership efforts. Many are pleased with the current way Hochul and Benjamin are leading the state. However, some are concerned with the conservative endorsements she has already received. There are also several qualified challengers who are hoping to use the next few months to make their case to New York voters across the state.

Attorney General Tish James has decided not to run for governor and leave her position as New York attorney general, a post which many believed is an ideal fit for James. Besides the potential for James to have made history as the first African American women to be elected governor (a feat narrowly missed by Stacey Abrams in Georgia in 2018), James was initially hoping to make the case to New Yorkers that her expertise prosecuting wayward individuals and politicians as well as her grassroots connections made her an ideal fit to unify this diverse state and bring a new approach to governance and leadership. However, James has decided to continue her work as N.Y. state attorney general.

Current Public Advocate Jumaane Williams is hoping to bring his particular brand of progressive politics to the entire state. Williams has been a leader in discussions pertaining to police brutality and overall ethics within the state. Will his successful showing as a Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor in 2018 be enough to galvanize voters this time around when he is vying for the top position in the state and a rematch with Hochul?

Of course, NYC mayor Bill de Blasio is flirting with the idea of running and Long Island Congressman Tom Suozzi has already thrown his hat in the ring as a more conservative alternative to Gov. Hochul. It is too early to tell who will be victorious in June, but it is not too early to start researching the candidates and looking into their past voting records, policy proposals, and endorsements. Reminder: it is our duty to inform ourselves.

Christina Greer, Ph.D., is an associate professor at Fordham University, the author of “Black Ethnics: Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream,” and the co-host of the podcast FAQ-NYC.