Image courtesy of PSC-CUNY.
By Quinn Kinsella and Xavier Cundin
Founded in 1972, the Professional Staff Congress (PSC) advocates for the rights of staff members throughout The City University of New York (CUNY) and now represents over 30,000 faculty members. The union has a presence on campuses across NYC in response to New York state’s Taylor Law which prohibits unions from striking. Known as the Public Employees Fair Employment Act, the law became effective in 1967 and prohibits unions from striking, putting up guardrails against disruptive protests that cost corporations millions. While the Taylor Law does grant access to public employees the power to create their own independently run unions and for those unions to have a voice when it comes to negotiating with employers, it prohibits public sector strikes. By setting up very harsh repercussions for violating the terms, the Public Employers Fair Employment Act regulates employees rights in negotiations and prohibits striking.
According to New York State law, there are four outlets of resolution that must be taken into account to resolve contract disputes: mediation, fact-finding, arbitration, and legislative hearing. These steps towards a peaceful, agreed-upon resolution and the Taylor Law show the apprehension New York State has towards unions and their power. Though the Taylor Law prohibits the act of striking by docking an additional day's pay, PSC still finds ways to fight. Highlighted in multiple strategic action plans, they attend frequent picket lines, conference hearings, and rallies. On October 30th, members of PSC attended a CUNY Board of Trustees meeting in the name of adjunct pay and contracts. They picketed in front of John Jay where the meeting was being held. Among protesters, more than 30 professors were arrested on account of disorderly conduct. On November 14th, PSC set up two picket lines in front of CUNY Central, garnering support from all five burrows.
Each college has its own PSC union chapter consisting of a chair, co-chair, secretary, and organizer. Here at the City College chapter, Nancy Cardwell and Pamella Stemberg serve as co-chairs, Joseph Davis acts as secretary, Calra Cappetti is the grievance counselor, and Marwa Atef Mohamed Amer is the organizer. These union representatives are essential to the forward movement of the Professional Staff Congress on a college-to-college basis, working through conflicts that are relevant at their individual colleges. These separate chapters work in conjunction with the other chapters and meet often to discuss continuing contract disputes and further ways to improve the professional lives of faculty members at CUNY.
Following the election of Donald Trump earlier this month, nothing is certain anymore when it comes to workers’ rights. President Biden was one of the most pro-working class presidents in recent years. From supporting workers on the picket line to helping contract workers to secure better jobs and raises, the Biden Administration has fought for the rights of blue-collar American workers since the start. January 20th will see a transfer of power that puts the future of organizations such as the PSC-CUNY in jeopardy. Trump and Project 2025, a lengthy and in-depth political agenda written by the Heritage Foundation, seeks to hinder and bust unions and their projects.
Trump’s new plan would put unions such as the PSC at risk in numerous ways. One of the most concerning ways it would affect unions is giving corporate businesses the right to hire union-busting agents to acquire information internally, essentially undercover union members with the goal to dissuade workers from joining. Project 2025 also facilitates the regulation and instruction of unions, putting the independence these workers founded these unions in, at risk. Furthermore, companies can form ersatz unions that challenge the integrity of already formed unions, with specially chosen management that clash against already established unions.
The hard-working class people of America keep this country afloat, and unions such as the PSC protect those workers’ rights. The next four years will determine the future of the PSC here at CUNY and the rights of faculty members throughout New York City’s public universities. PSC updates and announces their upcoming actions on their website. Though the future for unions such as the Professional Staff Congress remain uncertain, we know for sure that the members of the PSC will continue to fight diligently for the rights of CUNY faculty members.
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