Several hundred clerical workers announced Tuesday their intentions to unionize. About half of Syracuse University employees have announced their intentions to unionize in the last year.

Hundreds of Syracuse University workers in clerical roles announced at a rally Thursday they are organizing a union to secure better wages and benefits.

The rally was the latest in a series of moves by workers and labor organizers, under the United Syracuse name, made to propel unionization and collective bargaining campaigns across various sectors of SU’s workforce in the last two years. On Tuesday, graduate students who have organized over the last year ratified their first union contract. 

United Syracuse is made up of workers and labor organizers with the Service Employees International Union Local 200United who helped the 1,200 graduate student employees unionize. Most recently they also launched a campaign to unionize nearly 1,000 other workers toiling in food service and libraries.

The latest group to vie for a union includes 800 workers performing clerical roles in offices across all of the university’s academic programs.

That means about half of Syracuse’s nearly 6,000 employees have announced plans to unionize in the last year: 

  • About 1,200 grad students began organizing last year and on Tuesday ratified a contract
  • Nearly 1,000 food service and library workers announced their plans to unionize earlier this month. They will likely hold a union election in the next several months. 
  • Workers representing 800 or so clerical employees announced their plans to unionize Thursday.

So far, a majority of the bargaining unit has pledged their support for a union, which would cross the threshold required to trigger a union election, according to one organizer.

The most pressing need for workers, they say, is earning wages that are commensurate with the rising costs of living in Syracuse. A recent study of rent trends found that the cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment in Syracuse increased about 22% last year, the largest one-year change in the country.

Margaret Butler, who has been an administrative assistant at the university’s Department of English for the last 13 years, has a one-hour commute to her job on campus every day. 

The reason? Her salary, which currently sits at about $52,000 despite some modest raises through the years, just wasn’t enough for her family to live in the city. Administrative assistants receive an annual 2% increase to their salary as a cost of living adjustment.

“My coworkers couldn’t believe I commute like that every day,” she told Central Current. “But I just can’t afford to live here.”

To supplement her income, Butler works as a business manager for a construction company, and paints and cleans houses.

“You miss so much of your kids growing up because you’re just trying to put food on the table and feed them,” Butler said. 

A union contract would also have to include a retirement plan for workers, Butler added. 

Tara Slater, an administrative assistant at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, also works three jobs. On top of her full-time positions, Slater splits her time working at the box office for sporting events, and as an actor for the university’s School of Education. She said SU has to treat workers with respect and provide a living wage as one of the largest employers in the city.

Tara Slater, an administrative assistant at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, works three jobs. She is among the clerical workers who plan to unionize. Credit: Eddie Velazquez

 SU currently employs about 5,696, SEIU organizers said in a press release.

“It is like having a rich uncle who keeps on giving you pencils for Christmas,” Slater said in a Tuesday interview with Central Current. 

Butler and Slater said they hope the university will voluntarily recognize their union. Otherwise, workers would have to vote to unionize through an election with the National Labor Relations Board or a certified mediator. Federal labor law states a simple majority of voters would have to vote “yes” for the union to be certified. 

An SU spokesperson did not directly answer whether or not the university would voluntarily recognize the unions, but issued the following statement: 

“Syracuse University values the significant contributions made by all members of our community, including our students, faculty and staff. We are aware there are two new groups of students and employees seeking to unionize. We recognize and respect their right to explore unionization and determine whether or not they wish to be represented by a labor union. We also believe it is critical for all students and employees to have a full understanding of how unionization could affect them before making any decision.”

Syracuse graduate union ratifies first contract

The group of about 1,200 grad students, dubbed Syracuse Graduate Employee United, ratified their first contract Tuesday, with overwhelming support. About 92% of workers approved the new collective bargaining agreement, which will boost wages, increase employer contributions toward healthcare, and secure a $1,000 signing bonus.

The contract signifies a median raise of about 24% for grad workers, who prior to starting their union campaign earned a median base pay of about $16,000 per year, according to a press release issued by SEIU.  

“This contract provides us security in ways we never had before,” said Sadie Novak, a teaching assistant and a doctoral student in chemistry.

Graduate student workers at Syracuse University began organizing last year. They ratified their first contract on Tuesday. Here, they are pictured in front of Hendricks Chapel on Jan. 17, 2023. Credit: Eddie Velazquez

Novak said the wage increases are a good start. She added improvements to health benefits will also go a long way for workers. An analysis of the contract indicates the university will subsidize about 80% of health care premiums and also cover 100% of costs of preventative dental insurance.

The university will also establish a yearly $50,000 healthcare support fund to provide financial assistance to union members facing economic hardship.

“It is the start of changing the landscape for graduate student workers to be treated and compensated justly for the labor we provide to keep SU running at the level that it does,” Novak said. “This is just the first stepping stone, and that the next generations will continue to fight for equity and respect as workers.”

Clarification: Margaret Butler, a worker and potential member of the clerical workers’ union, initially said nearly 40% of the bargaining unit pledged support for the union. Butler on Friday said a majority of the bargaining unit has pledged support for the union.

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Eddie Velazquez is a Syracuse journalist covering economic justice in the region. He is focused on stories about organized labor, and New York's housing and childhood lead poisoning crises. You can follow...