On Feb. 23, the Fordham Graduate Student Workers Union (FGSW) spread awareness by distributing flyers about their contract bargaining to prospective Fordham University students and their families on both Rose Hill and Lincoln Center campuses. The members of the FGSW explained via X, formerly known as Twitter, that “Fordham’s upper administration [then] violated federal labor law by seeking the removal of graduate student workers organizing to improve their workplace conditions.”
FGSW explained that, under the National Labor Relations Act, the rights of workers to organize for their union, their contracts and their working conditions are protected. Therefore, for the Rose Hill Dean of Students and the Public Safety officials to remove them and threaten them with retaliation is in violation of the law, which the union reported to the National Labor Review Board. “All of the interactions between the union members and prospective students were friendly, supportive and sympathetic,” explained graduate worker Ethan Gettes, “but the Fordham administration sent security to interfere with the union activism. Now, this is a violation of a core right under federal labor law, and it’s on this basis that we filed the report.”
Gettes explained that the former charges submitted were in relation to misconduct by the university during contract negotiations. All of the charges submitted are still pending review by the board, but Gettes believes they make the need for increased respect and better treatment by the university evident.
Gettes added that there are two main outcomes he would like to see in response to the activism events and reports filed. “The first is that we’d love to see Fordham comply with federal labor law and with Catholic social teaching. The actions that we’ve seen taken by [President Tania] Tetlow and the upper administration are seriously compromising the values that Fordham is supposed to represent,” he stated. “The second thing that I want to see is that I’d like to see the administration respect the right of their workers to organize for a fair contract and a living wage.”
He explained that the union demonstrations are a vital part of their fight for the contract they’re seeking, whether the demonstrations be distributing flyers, picketing or holding union events. He states that all FGSW members care about the vitality of higher education, hence their investment in conducting research and teaching undergraduates. However, their ability to give full commitment to the university is limited by their low wages. “Time that I spend scrapping up extra money for rent is time that I’m not spending contributing to the university or my research,” Gettes stated.
FGSW has been in negotiations with the university for over a year, and Gettes stated that they have reached some agreements. However, they are still lacking progress in wages, healthcare and childcare benefits, which Gettes believes to be some of the most important areas.
Fordham has commented on frequently asked questions on their Human Resources page, stating, “The university and the union are committed to negotiating in good faith to improve the working conditions for graduate student workers in the bargaining unit.” They also stated that the stipends that FGSW has proposed exceed the market wages of graduate student workers. The union has spoken to the opposite effect, stating via X that in addition to underpaying them, the university has refused to conduct bargaining in good faith.
Bob Howe, associate vice president for communications and special adviser to the president, stated, “The union and Fordham’s negotiating team initially met two times per month, but currently meet weekly with one exception. In hopes of expediting bargaining to reach an agreement quickly, Fordham’s representatives agreed to extend the sessions from three to five hours. During the March 7 bargaining session, Fordham negotiators suggested introducing a neutral third party, a Federal Mediator, into the negotiations to help reach an agreement. CWA refused the suggestion.”
The FGSW members continue their efforts to advocate for the requested improvements to their contracts and working conditions. Their most recent event has been holding a picket at the Founder’s Dinner on March 18 to reiterate their commitment after being removed from campus last month.
“I want to be sure to keep reiterating that what Tania Tetlow and the upper administration have been doing is not in line with Catholic values nor with educational values. If they want to uphold the values that Fordham claims to hold, it’s time to pay their graduate student workers a living wage.” Gettes concluded. Those interested in learning more about the union’s efforts and negotiations can follow them on X or Instagram, @FordhamGSW, or follow negotiation updates on the Fordham website.
