Cornell University Workers' Strike Disrupts Services

Cornell University is currently facing significant disruptions due to an ongoing strike by over 1,000 members of UAW chapter 2300, which began on August 19. The strike, driven by demands for fair wages and improved working conditions, has particularly impacted dining services and the move-in process for new students, leading to frustrations about reduced meal options. Despite Cornell's attempts to negotiate by eliminating tiered pay structures and offering mediation, UAW representatives claim the university has not bargained in good faith, leading to stalled negotiations. The union argues that, while Cornell's endowment has increased substantially, workers' wages have not kept pace, resulting in a decline in their buying power. UAW members have expressed their dissatisfaction through rallies and online campaigns, highlighting the essential nature of their roles during the pandemic. Meanwhile, the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) has suspended strikes at Fife College after progress in negotiations regarding pay, aiming for a fair agreement for educators.