Graphic by Leah Han ’27/The Choate News
By Maia Shah ’27
Union workers at the University of New Haven (UNH) have had enough. On April 7, more than 300 people rallied for updated employment terms involving higher wages and job protections. They demonstrated in favor of Unite Here’s Local 217 chapter, the hospitality worker’s union of Connecticut. In addition to picketing, union members spread posters around campus begging the question, “What good is protection from a layoff if your hours aren’t guaranteed, and you go from 40 hours to 10?”
After UNH rejected guaranteed job protection, university students, union hospitality employees, and those favoring increased job security led protests on campus. These rallies were a result of general frustration with the lack of progress at UNH and a need for forward motion in contract negotiations, particularly pertaining to job security, between Unite Here’s Local 217 and UNH. The offer proposed by the union featured robust wage increases and proposed job protection for all employees in response to perceived inadequate accommodations.
Strikes, while effective, pose a potential for disarray and disruption to operations. However, to be successful and draw attention to the cause, this was a risk worth taking for many members of Unite Here’s Local 217. As widely described in coverage of the story, union members, while excited to demand change, were nervous about its effects on the students and the flow of campus life.
Joe Fowler, a custodian at UNH, summarized his rationalization for the protest in an interview with the Yale Daily News: “These kids rely on us to provide a service for them. And as much as it’s gonna break our heart to walk away from that, I think it’s actually going to show them a lesson to stand up for what they believe in and what’s right,” he said.
Josh Stanley, a prime spokesperson and Secretary-General for Unite Here’s Local 217, said the new contract “will provide stability, confidence, and dignity for our members, their families, and the university community.” The unionized workers had participated in negotiations since the fall of this school year, and after months of waiting for change, unanimously voted to strike.
The protests proved effective for members of Unite Here’s Local 217, and shortly afterwards on April 11, the contracts were ratified, resulting in updated employment terms, newly modified wages, and more vigilant job security for unionized workers.
During negotiations, a demand for shortened hours during the summertime, an adequate living wage, and the alleviation of the safety concerns associated with working a job alone during irregular hours were voiced. In response to the concerns highlighted by members of Unite Here, UNH said in a recent statement, “The university respects the union’s decision to exercise its right to go on strike. The university’s priority is minimizing any interruption to university operations and ensuring the safety of our campus and all university community members and visitors.”
In addition to promising higher wages and improved health insurance, the university referenced in its statement a willingness to provide “job protection for the life of the contract for facilities employees,” and guaranteed them “regularly scheduled hours (40 per week) and protection against an involuntary transfer to another job classification.”
The site of the protest was a destination for public figures in New Haven. The event commenced with speeches of support from Connecticut Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, State Senator Martin Looney, and State Representative Bill Heffernan. Senator Looney advocated for the unionization of working groups. He stated in the Yale Daily News, “This economy — the whole economy of the region — will only be helped if union jobs grow and expand. You cannot agree to something that allows for the gradual contraction of a bargaining unit. That is suicide.”
Lieutenant Governor Bysiewicz also expressed her support for the cause, emphasizing that unions are a testament to the future and directly shape the working conditions for younger generations. She articulated their importance in guaranteeing living wages and safe working conditions.
Both UNH and Unite Here’s Local 217 are optimistic about the future of these negotiations and the impending introduction of a newly improved contract, one that will hopefully address the needs of all union workers.
