New York State College of Ceramics Graduate Workers Join CWA Local 1104

Graduate student workers at the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University (NYSCC) voted overwhelmingly on May 8th to join CWA Local 1104! Despite some opposition from the university in the form of “Vote No” emails and meetings, the workers stood strong and signed membership cards. Over a dozen workers delivered their vision statement to the Deans of their departments and the university President’s Office.

The 60 graduate workers are joining over 5,000 members of the Graduate Student Employees Union (GSEU), part of Local 1104, with members throughout the New York State University System as well as Fordham University in New York City.

“As a graduate student in the MFA program at NYSCC Alfred University, I decided to unionize because of the gross inequities in pay and benefits for graduate workers,” said C. Hancock, an MFA candidate. “I hope that through our successful organizing, we can deepen ties across the schools of NYSCC as well as improve conditions for graduate student workers, which will ultimately strengthen the entire university community. NYS College of Ceramics works because we do. As student workers, we want a voice on the job.”