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Syracuse University workers unionized under Service Employees International Union Local 200United reached a tentative contract agreement with SU Tuesday night, according to a Wednesday morning media release from the union.

The university-recognized union, which includes library, food service, facilities and maintenance workers at SU, will hold information sessions for SU members on Thursday, the release states. The union then plans to hold its contract ratification vote on Friday.

“Syracuse University facilities workers in libraries, food service, facilities and maintenance, who are members of SEIU Local 200United…(reached) a tentative contract agreement late last night,” August Schneeberg, the communications director of SEIU’s Albany office, said in Wednesday’s release.

SEIU initiated negotiations between its members and SU in the summer of 2023 before the organization received university recognition this June. The union and the university then engaged in months of negotiation discussions.

An SU spokesperson also confirmed that the university and SEIU have reached a tentative agreement in a Wednesday evening statement sent to The Daily Orange.

“(We) look forward to the results of the ratification vote planned for Friday,” the spokesperson wrote.

As of Wednesday night, neither SEIU 200United nor SU have publicized the terms of the tentative contract agreement. The union did not immediately respond to The D.O.’s requests for comment.

The tentative agreement between SU and SEIU 200United comes about a week and a half after union workers held a rally outside of 727 Comstock Ave. Last week, the union rejected a previous SU contract proposal that reportedly included a 2.5% wage increase, which rally participants said was less than the 10% required for these workers to make a liveable salary.

At the rally, union officials explained its negotiation goals to workers across several SU sectors. SEIU members are currently advocating for raising wages, improving conditions for workers, and increasing benefits, union leaders said during the rally.

Hourly food service and library employees at SU first announced their plans to form a union this winter. By March 3, around 30% of these workers had signed union cards.

Several groups now unionized under SEIU 200United, including maintenance and grounds workers, announced their support of on-campus unionization efforts during a March 28 rally. The demonstration came two days after Syracuse Graduate Employees United, another SEIU-affiliated group, ratified its first contract with the university by a 92% vote.

Food service and library workers voted in favor of unionization on April 24, affirming their affiliation with SEIU 200United. They recognized the union by a 99% vote​​ of 1146 to 1, while the rest of the groups received recognition from SU over the summer.

For the tentative contract to go into effect, a majority of the union’s members will need to vote in favor of ratification. As of Wednesday night, the union has not set a time or location for the vote.

Published on September 5, 2024 at 1:07 am

Contact Julia: jmboehni@syr.edu