CANTON - Union members of the SEIU Local 200United bargaining unit comprised of food service and facility operations workers are rallying on today, April 25, from 3 to 4:15 p.m. at the Canton Village Park.

Organizers say they plan to take a stand against the low pay, poor morale, and understaffing at St. Lawrence University, reported Brian D. Teucke, Union Representative Central New York, in an email.

In repsonse to a request for comment St. Lawrence University said it values "all our employees, including the members of the SEIU Local 200."

"The University agreed to a contract with SEIU Local 200 in January 2022 and is honoring the terms of that agreement, which was approved by more than 73 percent of union voters. It is our hope that we can continue to engage in open and good faith dialogue with our employees through their union representation," the statement said.

Meanwhile union members raised concerns about a variety or issues.

“Union members believe that St. Lawrence administrators have the ability to improve the understaffing and poor morale through a unit-wide $2.00/hour wage improvement. Union leaders brought this wage adjustment proposal to the University on March 28 and to date, the University has not agreed to the proposal or offered a counter,” the press release said.

“The purpose of the rally is to bring attention to the low pay and poor working conditions of the workers and to garner community support for the SEIU Local 200United members who serve St. Lawrence students. Students, faculty, and community members are welcome to attend, and attendees are encouraged to wear purple,” the release noted.