Organizing Updates - Two Big Victories

SUNY-Binghamton Research Assistants (Local 1104)

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Earlier this month, 292 research assistants at the State University of New York (SUNY)-Binghamton’s Research Foundation won their union election by a landslide. They will join CWA Local 1104, which represents 4,700 graduate student workers and 1,062 research assistants at SUNY campuses.

The majority of these workers are international students conducting scientific research, prime targets for President Trump’s mass deportation and research defunding schemes. Despite the inherent danger of organizing and the added danger of incarceration or deportation, these brave workers courageously accepted those risks to help protect one another.

“I’m pro-union because international students are more vulnerable, particularly today,” said Turan, a Binghamton History Department research assistant. “Building the union is about securing protections for international workers as well as ensuring that all RAs have the pay and benefits we need. We can get that through a union contract.”

CWA Local 1104 President Mike Ippoliti played a key role in supporting these workers, as did organizers from CWA Locals 1104,1123, and 1180. “We’re happy to welcome these workers into the CWA family,” said Ippoliti. “Despite considerable time constraints, we pulled together in an ‘all-hands-on-deck’ effort over the last few months. This win would not have been possible without everyone involved. We are looking forward to bargaining a first contract in the coming months.”
 

Hearst Connecticut Media Group (NewsGuild of New York-CWA)

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Also last week, media workers at Hearst Connecticut Media Group (HCMG) voted decisively to join the NewsGuild of New York (TNG-CWA Local 31003). The reporters, photographers, editors, and digital producers working for Connecticut’s largest print/digital news organization have united with TNG-CWA-represented newsrooms across the country to have a say in their workplace.

“Good unions make for good journalism, and good journalism is a foundation of a free and open society,” said Ethan Fry, a breaking news reporter. “I’m so thrilled that my colleagues and I affirmed our commitment to forming a union—the first one I am fortunate enough to be a member of after more than 20 years in the profession. I look forward to meeting management to bargain for a fair contract that ensures good local journalism in Connecticut for years to come.”

Workers cited stagnant wages, shifting job responsibilities, and a mandate to report to offices far from the communities they cover as reasons for forming their union.