Members of the union representing faculty and staff at the City University of New York called out sick in support of anti-Israel protesters who were arrested on campus, despite the union president disavowing the “unauthorized sick-out” and warning members that their participation could lead to fines, jail time, or termination. The strike was initiated by the CUNY on Strike campaign in response to the NYPD’s raid at City College’s Manhattan campus, where nearly 200 protesters were arrested. The members who participated in the strike endorsed the demands made by the Gaza Solidarity Encampment, which included calls for divestment from Israel, boycotts of academic exchanges with Israel, support for Palestine, demilitarization of campuses, and restoration of CUNY’s tuition-free status.
The strike involving at least 300 union members was considered a historic event as it was the union’s first strike in its 52-year history. The union members participating in the strike were also advocating for amnesty for the protesters who had been arrested and charged with crimes during the protest. Former CUNY board trustee Jeffrey Wiesenfeld criticized the union for failing to control the large number of members participating in the strike, calling it a “wildcat strike.” He argued that the responsibility falls on the union heads for not being able to prevent the strike while simultaneously trying to distance themselves from the actions of their members.
Economics professor Jackson Schwartz from John Jay College was among the CUNY staff members who participated in the strike. In an email to his students, Schwartz explained that the academic strike was to show solidarity with the arrested students and faculty members and invited his students to join the campus protest. Despite the union’s efforts to discourage participation in the strike, Schwartz and other members proceeded with the action. CUNY did not respond to requests for comment on the strike or the participation of its staff members.
The strike at CUNY was part of a broader movement on college campuses across the country where protesters are calling for divestment from Israel, boycotts of academic exchanges with Israel, and support for Palestine. The protesters also seek the demilitarization of campuses and the restoration of CUNY’s tuition-free status. The union’s disavowal of the strike and warnings of potential consequences did not deter the participating members from showing their support for the Gaza Solidarity Encampment and the arrested protesters. Despite the implications of fines, jail time, or termination, the members took a stand for their cause and their fellow students and faculty members who were involved in the campus protest.
