Ithaca, New York - Members of the United Auto Workers (UAW) labor union are officially on strike at Cornell after the university failed to meet basic demands at the bargaining table.

"After months of negotiations, over 1,000 UAW members have walked out on strike at Cornell University. The university has failed to present a fair package and has not bargained in good faith, stalling and retaliating against protected union activity by the workers," the union announced on X.

The UAW said most of the university workers make just $22 an hour, leaving many struggling to make a living and afford housing in Ithaca.

Meanwhile, Cornell's endowment has reached nearly $10 billion, and tuition has gone up 13% in the last four years.

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"Workers at Cornell are fed up with being exploited and used. The university would much rather hoard its wealth and power than pay its workers fairly," UAW Local 2300 President Christine Johnson said in a statement.

"Cornell could have settled this weeks ago. Instead, they’ve scoffed and laughed at us and broken federal law. We’re done playing around."

The employees' latest two-year contract expired on July 1. Last week, 94% of university workers – including custodians, cooks, gardeners, mechanics, and more – voted to authorize a strike as demands for wage increases, free parking options, and better safety measures remained unmet.

The strike began Sunday at 10:00 PM, one day before Cornell students were due to begin moving in to on-campus housing.

"I am very, very sorry for the new students that are moving into Cornell University. We love the students. We want them to have a good experience. The university does not want to pay us a living wage," Johnson told Ithaca Voice reporter Jimmy Jordan on Sunday evening.