NYU Roundup

NYU's outsourcing of its cleaning and maintenance workers, it turns out, means that some benefits will be cut, including a reduction in overtime. Some workers are refuisng to sign contracts with the Long Island-based subcontractor.

Kwame Patterson, a spokesman for 32B-J, one of two local unions whose employees have already moved to CBS, said the union hopes NYU reconsiders cutting the benefits.

A document provided to the employees said there would be no changes in pay, seniority and vacation time. The document said job security would increase, noting that if NYU ever downsizes or disposes of a building, employees could move to one of 250 non-NYU buildings CBS maintains.

But employees who have refused to resign with CBS say they worry for their jobs’ security.

“It’s a way for them to legally fire us,” one engineer working in a freshman residence hall said, speaking on the condition of anonymity. “NYU really hung us out to dry on this one.”

Meanwhile, Sexton stepped up for his "buddy" Mayor Bloomberg to urge the city council to allow him to run for a third term last week. The blogger at NYULocal suggests reciprocity from the mayor in the university's continuing expansion plans.