Brown University authorizes strike

it's 12:02 right now and it is movein day for Brown University students but new students at orientation were also greeted by a picket line as Community coordinators strike support you that's what we want to do so please support us today union members of the labor organization of community coordinators or LC have authorized an unfair Labor practice strike just as students moved in dozens of community coordinators picketed along Brown and Waterman over on College Hill now that strike authorization comes after months of negotiations between the union and the University's bargaining team on their first contract Brown employs 140 students as Community coordinators and some of those employees say their jobs are comparable to that of a resident assistant at another University we organize events we check the buildings for facility issues we keep in touch with each of our residents and get to know all of them and make sure that we're at first point of contact if they have any issues now Brown University says their role is different than that of an RA since they're not responsible for enforcing Community standards Community coordinators say they are asking for a compensation package that covers costs of room in board a rehire process that prioritizes worker retention and maintaining policies to allow Community coordinators to be involved in other campus happenings like Athletics and teachings officials with Brown University say they've met with union members 16 times they offered a one-year agreement with a $112,000 stien rate which the union rejected we don't feel like that sincerely address addresses the compensation needs we are here to support our residents I do this job because I care about my first year residents the university said the Union's proposal for a more than $177,000 stipend would far exceed any increases other staff received the University closed by saying it will respect the rights of the Union but staff and other student leaders are on hand to help with Wednesday's student move in we'll keep you updated as we learn more on the next steps being taken