NYPD arrests 50 at protest over wages & raises at CUNY headquarters
New York police arrested more than 50 people in front of the City University of New York’s Manhattan headquarters during a rally for faculty. CUNY profs claim they have not had a contract for five years or received a raise in six.
According to WABC News, hundreds of people were present at the rally, including professors and Barbara Bowen, the president of the Professional Staff Congress (PSC), the union representing CUNY faculty. Bowen was blocking the entrance to CUNY with her allies and was also arrested, according to the union.
President Bowen arrested "Our action 2day is part of a long struggle for racial & edu'l justice." #CUNYContractNowpic.twitter.com/x4hy4DRR3e
— PSC_CUNY (@PSC_CUNY) November 4, 2015More than 50 people were arrested overall, PSC stated online.
The event began as part of PSC’s effort to win new contracts and raises for CUNY faculty. Teachers and other workers say they have not had a new contract for five years and have not received raises in six. The group is seeking to put pressure on CUNY Chancellor James Milliken and has also targeted New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in an attempt to secure more funding for the school. More funding would be helpful in ensuring pay raises for staff.
#CUNY faculty and staff protesting outside CUNY HQ for new contracts and reportedly not receiving a raise in 6 years pic.twitter.com/m88sDDd58E
— A Plus (@aplusapp) November 4, 2015Demonstrators chanted slogans such as “What do we want? Contracts! When do we want it? Now!” at the Wednesday protest.
#CUNY Professors protesting for a new contract. They haven't had a raise in 6 years @PIX11News Live update at 5pm pic.twitter.com/ZMwX0pZipV
— Ayana Harry PIX11 (@AyanaHarry) November 4, 2015The NYPD got involved when protesters sat down in front of CUNY’s entrance and blocked the area. Officers warned demonstrators that if they did not leave, they would be arrested. According to WABC, no one left the entrance and all were detained.
.@PSC_CUNY Pres Bowen and allies block the doors to #CUNY. No contract, no peace! #NYC1upic.twitter.com/OZ6mAeyxHu
— Sean G Mackell (@seangmackell) November 4, 2015Meanwhile, a bargaining session was reportedly underway inside CUNY.
The university is prepared to offer a six-year contract covering the time period from 2010-2016, and a six percent wage increase, according to a CUNY newswire issued Wednesday.
Outside #cuny hq #CUNYNeedsARaise more than 4 dozen arrests. pic.twitter.com/HQMFpNB9oo
— Shomial Ahmad (@shomial) November 4, 2015In October, PSC also organized a protest outside of Chancellor Milliken’s apartment, chanting slogans like “No contract, no peace.”
“Milliken must wake up to the growing crisis at CUNY,” said Bowen at the time, according to the college newspaper The Banner. “CUNY cannot remain a vital force for educational and racial justice in New York City if it cannot recruit and retain the faculty and staff our students need. The failure to support our contract is ultimately a failure to support CUNY students. That’s why we will not give up.”
