Campus Labor Unions and Labor Union Campaigns

This collection documents the bargaining process, including contracts, agreements, and other negotiations concerning pay, health care, and time off for UAW Local 2110 (formerly District 65).

Starting the 1970s and continuing through to the present day, the Barnard administration has demonstrated a pattern of working against efforts at unionization and the fight for fair labor practices at the College. Barnard’s clerical workers, dormitory attendants, and library workers (largely women of color) fought from 1972 to 1974 to form a union. The College fought back, refusing to meet the workers’ demands while negotiating their contract. The workers, under their union District 65, organized a month-long strike and walkout in January 1974, receiving support from students, staff, and community members. They won their contract in February 1974. District 65 supported women members of the cleaning staff at Barnard later that year, who fought for equal wages to male porters at the College. Barnard had violated the equal pay act, and had to raise the cleaning staff’s wages. UAW Local 2110 (formerly District 65) striked again in 1996, this time against increasing health insurance costs. They won after six months of striking. Students supported the workers who striked in 1996, holding a sit-in (an action for which their diplomas were postponed), unveiling a banner at that year’s graduation, and refusing to shake President Shapiro’s hand as they crossed the graduation stage.

The Technical, Office and Professional (TOP) Union, Local 2110, is an amalgamated union with contracts covering workers in universities, publishing, museums, law firms and other offices, including teachers, secretaries, administrators, editors, computer operators, librarians, museum curators, typesetters and graphic artists in New York City. They promote benefits such as childcare, flex-time, job classification, domestic partner benefits and family leave. They are affiliated with the UAW and AFL-CIO.

Notable Barnard administration:Martha Peterson (Barnard President 1967-1975), Jacquelyn Anderson Mattfeld (Barnard President 1976-1980), and Judith Shapiro (Barnard President 1994-2008)

Documents briefly mention TWU Transport Workers Union of America AFL-CIO Local 264 the labor union that represents Barnard Public Safety Officers and staff in the Office of Facilities Services as well as dining services workers who are employed by Chartwells. TWU is one of the four unions representing employees at Barnard.