Yale labor problems unresolved

Despite a new round of discussions between Yale University officials and negotiators from two of its labor unions, the university's labor problems seem far from being resolved. Both sides began discussing the labor situation again September 10 -- after a three-month hiatus -- but major differences still stand in the way of a new contract. The contracts for Locals 34 and 35 of the Federation of the University Employees, which represent Yale's clerical and technical workers and service and maintenance workers, respectively, expired in February. After initial negotiations failed, both unions went on four-week strikes. Following the strikes, negotiations continued but then ended without an agreement June 14. The current round of discussions has not brought the two sides any closer together, according to Yale spokesperson Gary Fryer. "It's clearly not gotten any better," said Fryer, who added that he is less optimistic about reaching an agreement than he was earlier this month. "We had been negotiating with them successfully and we thought an agreement was close at hand," he said. Fryer added that recent meetings with the union negotiators "have not been productive." Two major issues now stand in the way of a contract being signed -- subcontracting and minimum wage. The university is looking to subcontract its dining services to provide students with fast food services. According to Local 34 spokesperson Gordon Lafer, the unions are willing to allow subcontracting, but not at the level the university is demanding. The two sides have also not been able to agree on a fair minimum wage that the subcontractors would have to pay their workers. The unions have said they would like the minimum wage to be set at $8 per hour, but Yale officials have not accepted the proposal. Lafer said the desired minimum wage is at the poverty line for a worker supporting a family of four. "We're talking about the difference between a $16,000 and a $12,000 job," added Lafer, who noted that he believes Yale can easily afford to pay the wage. Yale students continue to take an active part in the labor dispute. Yale junior Noel Poyo, a member of the school's Student Labor Action Coalition, said students on campus are split in their stance on the dispute, but added that he believes the unions have been more flexible than the Yale administration. "Negotiations are about give and take," Poyo said. "The unions have compromised. They've conceded a great deal, and I think they've been very reasonable." Poyo added that discourse between the two sides has been publicly quiet recently -- a good sign that an agreement might be reached, he said. Last year, according to Poyo, the two sides were exchanging pejorative comments. "Both sides are very suspicious of each other -- and with good reason," he said. "They've run into major differences." While there are no plans for another strike anytime soon, union officials have said that it has always been a last-resort option. Poyo -- who like other SLAC members has threatened to withhold his tuition if the unions strike again -- is hoping that the two sides will come to an agreement soon.