At noon today the 235 service and maintenance workers represented by Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 200United held a May Day Rally for Job Security at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY.  Joined by the Communications Workers union (CWA), the Hudson Valley Area Labor Federation, and supportive student organizations on campus, SEIU was protesting layoffs and the elimination of inter-session employment at the college.

“We believe that Vassar has alternatives other than job cuts,” said Mike Lonigro, statewide Vice President and business agent for SEIU.  “The college isn’t strapped for cash and this move affects not only those whose jobs are eliminated, but also those remaining on the job who have to perform the extra work during their regular shift.”  The rally was loud and raucous and well attended by disgruntled workers and enthusiastic supporters.

“We appreciate the help we have gotten from the students and the rest of the campus community,” said Joe Maio, SEIU Local 200United Chairman.  “This is a very busy time of the year for them and it means a lot that they took the time to come out today and show the Administration that they support us.”

SEIU and the college finally signed a new contract late last fall after a seven month campaign and several months working without a contract.  “We had hoped that the Administration had finally gotten the message about job security,” said Lonigro.  The union has pressed for measures to generate employment stability over the long term for Local 200United members.  The union will continue to agitate in favor of greater job security with the assistance of their allies on campus and in the community.