From Brendan McGovern – President, United University Professions, Binghamton
As we prepare for the incoming Trump administration, the challenges ahead for unions and higher education are likely to intensify. The formation of Campus Labor Councils (CLCs) is an essential strategy to build unity, reinforce our collective power, and protect our rights. By joining forces, campus unions can more effectively defend workers’ rights, advocate for fair treatment, and safeguard the integrity of higher education. This article highlights the urgent need for CLCs and provides a blueprint based on our successful model at Binghamton University.
Why Campus Labor Councils Matter
Higher Education Labor United (HELU), founded in 2021, serves as a national effort to unite higher education workers in pursuit of systemic change. As union-busting tactics, legislative threats, and funding cuts become more pronounced, the importance of a unified response cannot be understated. CLCs serve as a crucial tool for building trust and fostering collaboration among campus unions, enabling them to withstand external pressures and counter attacks on labor and education more effectively.
By creating a platform for collective action, CLCs amplify the voices of faculty, staff, and student workers. They move campus unions from isolated advocacy to unified efforts capable of leveraging collective influence. Importantly, these councils enhance the political strength of campus unions by allowing them to act cohesively, making them formidable allies to local politicians and key stakeholders who support education and workers’ rights.
The Binghamton University Model: How We Built Our CLC
At Binghamton University, we recognized that uniting the campus’s largest bargaining units would enhance our ability to confront challenges collectively. Here’s how we successfully built our CLC:
1. Identifying Core Unions:
The first step was reaching out to the largest bargaining units on campus, including UUP (United University Professions), CSEA (Civil Service Employees Association), and GSEU (Graduate Student Employees Union). Building relationships and finding common ground was crucial to creating a solid foundation for our collaborative efforts.
2. Establishing Shared Goals:
The unions unified around core priorities: fair wages, safe working conditions, and budget stability. Identifying these shared goals allowed us to frame a collective purpose and bolster the sense of unity among members. This groundwork helped make outreach more compelling and reinforced a spirit of collaboration.
3. Organizing Collaborative Events:
In fall 2023, we launched our first joint event, “Labor Power and Strategy,” featuring NY State Senator Lea Webb. This event showcased the power of solidarity by drawing attention to important issues like GSEU’s living wage campaign and budgetary threats at SUNY campuses such as Potsdam and Fredonia. These events underscored that when unions act in unison, their message resonates more loudly and persuasively.
4. Ongoing Engagement:
To maintain momentum, the leadership of UUP, CSEA, and GSEU committed to monthly meetings to discuss emerging issues and strategic initiatives. This consistent communication has been essential for aligning our approaches and proactively addressing potential challenges.
Strengthening Advocacy to Counter Potential Threats
A significant benefit of forming a CLC is the increased leverage it provides when engaging with local and state politicians. Acting collectively allows campus unions to wield greater political influence, making it easier to secure support for their initiatives and push back against detrimental policies. This increased advocacy strength ensures that any legislative or administrative actions aimed at undermining unions or higher education can be met with a unified, powerful response.
With a CLC, campus unions can coordinate their advocacy efforts, presenting a cohesive stance that demonstrates solidarity and shared commitment. This collaboration amplifies our collective voice, broadens our network of allies, and solidifies our position within the higher education landscape. For example, our inaugural event with Senator Webb not only showcased our unity but also signaled to political figures that we are organized, engaged, and capable of wielding considerable influence.
Successes and Lessons Learned
Our CLC at Binghamton University has yielded important successes. By collaborating on joint actions, we supported campaigns such as GSEU’s push for a living wage and demonstrated solidarity with campuses facing financial strain. These joint efforts have built trust within the campus community and created a robust foundation for future advocacy.
A key takeaway has been the realization that while individual unions may have separate goals and bargaining processes, their collective efforts under a CLC can increase visibility and influence. The CLC has provided a platform for coordinated strategies and enhanced advocacy, helping us navigate challenges with greater resilience.
Why Now Is the Time
The urgency for forming CLCs has never been greater. The higher education sector faces significant threats from union-busting efforts, funding cuts, and policy changes that could undermine job security and educational quality. Establishing CLCs is not just about solidarity—it’s about creating a strategic defense mechanism. These councils empower campus unions to respond effectively to challenges, safeguard the rights of their members, and maintain the standards of higher education.
Steps to Get Started
- Connect with Existing Unions: Reach out to other campus unions and initiate conversations about shared challenges and goals.
- Establish a Leadership Team: Form a team with representatives from each union to lead discussions and foster collaboration.
- Plan Collaborative Events: Host events that engage the campus community and highlight shared issues, building a stronger sense of unity.
- Commit to Regular Meetings: Maintain consistent dialogue to plan actions, strategize, and respond proactively to new developments.
The formation of Campus Labor Councils is a powerful strategy for strengthening collective advocacy and ensuring the resilience of campus unions. At Binghamton University, we have witnessed firsthand how collaboration fosters a stronger, more cohesive approach to confronting challenges. Now is the time for campuses across the U.S. to follow this model, uniting to protect labor rights, advocate for fair working conditions, and champion the quality of higher education. Together, we can transform individual efforts into a unified movement capable of driving meaningful change.