Unionized Student RAs at Brown University Vote to Authorize Strike - on Move-In Day

Unionized Student RAs at Brown University Vote to Authorize Strike - on Move-In Day

Unionized "Community Coordinators" at Brown University in Providence — a job comparable to Resident Assistants (RAs) at other colleges — have announced they have authorized an "Unfair Labor Practice" strike.

The unionized Coordinators are undergraduate students.

Members of the Labor Organization of Community Coordinators (LOCC), AFT/RIFTHP Local 6516, AFL-CIO, announced that the action is slated to begin Wednesday at 7:30 AM, which marks the start of first-year move-in day. 

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The strike authorization vote "comes in the wake of months of fraught negotiations with the University’s bargaining team over a first contract," say organizers. 

 

Organizers stated: 

The Community Coordinators (CCs) – a job comparable to Resident Assistants (RAs) at other universities – have been negotiating since February this year to make the quality of their Residents' lives better. 

To do the job well and give the most back to their Residents, the CCs need compensation package that covers the cost of Room and Board; a fair and transparent rehire process that prioritizes worker retention across academic years; maintaining current policies that allow CCs to be involved in other campus activities like athletics and teaching; and a host of other policies that will tangibly improve the CC program to support CCs in mentoring their Residents.  

'The current compensation for CCs is a stipend of $10,500. The CCs pay for room and board themselves. After tax, the stipend almost covers the cost of the room," organizers told GoLocal, adding that room and board at Brown this year "comes to about $17,500."

Brown University did not respond to request for comment. 

 

Call to Action

According to the union, it is asking all members of the community to join workers on the picket line on Wednesday, August 28. 

"Those striking in solidarity can report to the corner of Brown and Waterman in the College Hill neighborhood. There will be a Community Support Rally at 12:00 pm featuring speeches from workers, community leaders, local electeds, and more," said organizers.