The Professional Staff Congress (PSC / CUNY), the union representing staff and faculty at City University of New York (CUNY) colleges says New Yorkers are mobilizing to defend their university.
PSC/CUNY said on Tuesday that a coalition of 25 community, student, religious and labor groups has been formed in response to the proposed cuts to CUNY, the planned tuition increase and the failure to resolve CUNY contracts.
The coalition, CUNY Rising Alliance, was organizing its first public action for Thursday: a protest, march and meeting, starting at 5 p.m. at Governor Cuomo’s Manhattan office.
PSC/CUNY said the action was expected to begin at 5 pm with a rally outside the governor’s office, 633 Third Ave., between 40th and 41 strees in Manhattan.
It was expected to continue with a march to the Community Church of New York (40 E. 35th St.) where New Yorkers were expected to hear about the crisis at CUNY and plan next steps in the campaign.
“Reports indicate that the Senate and Assembly will print their one-house bills this week. The bills aren’t binding, but they establish negotiating positions for the rest of the budget season,” PSC-CUNY said.
“Send a message today to Albany, before the bills are printed. Tell your legislators to fund the PSC contract,” it added.
PSC-CUNY said students, led by the University Student Senate, will march across the Brooklyn Bridge this Sunday, March 13 “to demand state investment in their university, an end to tuition hikes and a fair contract for CUNY faculty and staff.
PSC-CUNY said the students are mobilizing other CUNY students, alumni, faculty and staff, and elected officials to join in the march.
The crowd will assemble Sunday at noon at City Hall Park before heading to the bridge.
“Members of the PSC will be marching with the CUNY students to keep the momentum going after Thursday’s #CUNYrising event,” the statement said.
PSC-CUNY wants the public to join CUNY Rising Alliance “as hundreds of students, education activists, union members and others rally and march to defend the right of all New Yorkers to an affordable, high-quality college education.”
The union said “the crisis at CUNY affects all working people in New York City, especially low-income communities and people of color.
“With music, protest, analysis and testimony, we will demand an end to the fiscal starvation of CUNY,” it said.
