Yale Workers Say “We Can't Keep Up”

Unity of purpose and determination filled the streets in New Haven on April 23 as hundreds of union workers and community allies marched on Yale with a clear message: “We Can't Keep Up!”

The members of Unite Here Locals 34 and 35, are fighting for fair wages and benefits to keep up with the skyrocketing cost of living. But for seven months there has been little progress from wealthyYale University at the bargaining table

When Unite Here International President Gwen Mills took the mic following the march, she pointed toward the administration offices saying, “My message to Yale is that the entire union is behind these workers 110%. My message to you,” she said looking out at the massive crowd of union members is “we have your back.”

Yale claims they are in dire straits and have reduced staff and non-tenure faculty. They’ve even revoked summer storage for low-income students and made cuts to graduate enrollment. You might think Yale is on the verge of collapsing. Yale is hoping we don’t know any better. We do know better.

Yale is sitting on over $44 billion – making them the second wealthiest university in the nation.

When they claimed their back was against the wall in the past and made cuts to the workforce, their endowment continued to grow.

What are the workers at Yale asking for? Improvements to their health care, critical job protection language, and a wage increase that reflects the value of their work and makes up for what they lost since the end of their last contract.

The workers at Yale are the unsung heroes of the university and they deserve a contract that reflects the value they add to the school every single day. What Yale union workers are able to win sets the standard for all workers in the region.

“Yale must pay its fair share and settle fair contracts. We must build a city where our residents have access to good jobs, world-class schools, affordable housing, and youth opportunities.” said New Haven Rising director Scott Marks.