SEIU Employees to Vote on Terms of Tentative Three-Year Agreement Reached by Syracuse University, SEIU Leaders

Syracuse University, the second largest employer in Onondaga County, and representatives of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 200United, are pleased to announce they reached a tentative agreement last night on a three-year contract for 830 University employees, many of whom are food service providers, library technicians and skilled tradespeople.

“The SEIU bargaining committee is pleased to have reached a tentative agreement last night,” says Scott Phillipson, president of SEIU Local 200United. “We believe it addresses the heartfelt concerns of our members regarding the need to improve wages and affordability of benefits on campus. The bargaining committee is unanimously recommending ratification of the agreement and we look forward to bringing it to our membership for a vote on August 3, 2016, at Hendricks Chapel.”

“Our faculty and staff are among the University’s greatest assets and I hope this contract demonstrates to them just how much we value, support and appreciate their tremendous contributions,” says Andy Gordon, senior vice president and chief human resources officer. “We are dedicated to providing consistent growth opportunities—both in terms of wages and benefits—to all Syracuse University employees and remain steadfast in our commitment to enhancing the living, learning and working environment for all members of the Syracuse University community.”

Syracuse University’s more than 21,000 students are perhaps the greatest beneficiary of the great pride these employees take in their work. From the food they eat—to the books they read—to the technology they leverage for their studies, students rely daily on the dedication of SEIU employees.

SEIU employees are integral in all aspects of the Syracuse community and play an important role in students’ success.

Pete Sala, vice president and chief facilities officer, lauded the SEIU employees, many of whom are on his team, for working tirelessly to enhance the University’s infrastructure, thus aligning its physical presence with its academic vision and mission. “There are hundreds of employees working on the more than 120 construction projects we have underway this summer,” says Sala. “I am grateful the University has shown its commitment to these employees, who are some of the University’s greatest ambassadors.”

If approved by SEIU employees, the contract will run from 2016 through 2019.