Community Coordinators at Brown University vote to authorize strike

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Today is move in day for Brown University students.

But new students may be greeted by a picket line this morning, as Community Coordinators strike.

Members of the Labor Organization of Community Coordinators, or LOCC authorized a strike to start at 7:30 a.m. this morning, after what the union called a year of “fraught negotiations” with Brown University on their first contract.

In a release, the LOCC, which had partnered with AFLCIO, said their jobs are comparable to that of an RA at another university.

The union demanded that Brown revisit its compensation package to cover room and board for workers, create a transparent rehire process, and allow the community coordinators the ability to be in other activities, like athletics and teaching.

In a statement, Brown University said that the university had recognized the union and met with them for sixteen bargaining sessions.

The union’s proposal for a more than $17,000 would far exceed any increases other staff received.

The university went on to say, they offered a one-year agreement with a $12,000 stipend rate, which the union rejected.

The university closed by saying it will respect the rights of the union, but will have staff and other student leaders on hand to help with student move in.