CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez expressed gratitude for the ratification of a new contract with over 10,000 employees at The City University of New York. The agreement, approved by the CUNY Board of Trustees, includes a retroactive wage increase of 14.9% over the contract's duration, a minimum wage raise to $18, and a $3,000 ratification bonus.
In a statement, Chancellor Rodríguez highlighted the importance of the university's employees, stating, "We often hear that it takes a village. CUNY’s village includes the public safety officers who keep us safe, the nurses who keep us healthy, and the custodial staff, IT experts, and others who keep the classrooms open and accessible, working each day to raise up our University and the over 225,000 students it serves."
The contract also focuses on addressing the shortage of public safety officers by investing in recruitment and retention efforts. Chancellor Rodríguez acknowledged the collaboration with union leaders and government officials, saying, "I’m grateful to Gov. Hochul and Mayor Adams, as well as DC 37 Executive Director Henry Garrido, Teamsters Local 237 President Gregory Floyd, and other union leaders for their partnership throughout this process."
The ratified agreement covers employees represented by District Council 37, Teamsters Local 237, SEIU Local 300, IATSE Local 306, and NYSNA. Chancellor Rodríguez expressed optimism for the future, stating, "I look forward to building on this momentum to finalize all our pending labor contracts."
The City University of New York, established in 1847, is the nation’s largest urban public university. With a mission to provide quality and affordable education to all students, CUNY plays a vital role in New York City's social mobility and workforce diversity.
For more information about CUNY, visit their official website at https://www.cuny.edu.
