Quantcast

Cornell grad students file discrimination charges over alleged harassment by unions

A No-Frills Airline Is Getting Into the Premium Game
US Senate panel criticizes rising airline seat fees, will call execs to testify
Spirit’s Demise Is a Lesson in ‘Airline-o-nomics’
Inside BA’s new first-class suites: £800 an hour for most private seat
Focus: US airline flight crews confident and angry as unions seek richer contracts
Hawaiian Airlines Eliminates Widebody Route Amid Alaska Airlines Merger
US budget airlines are struggling. Will pursuing premium passengers solve their problems?
Delta CEO says the Trump administration will reverse government ‘overreach’ seen under Biden
Spirit Airlines files for bankruptcy: How will it affect your travel plans?
British Airways yet to identify cause of latest IT meltdown
Delta Airlines Will Start Serving Shake Shack Cheeseburgers Next Month
United Sees Nearly 30% Surge in Travel to European Christmas Markets
Budget airline Israir to launch flights between Israel and NY, ending wartime monopoly by flagship carrier El Al
Asia's airlines blame supply chain woes for disrupted operations
Qantas and Qatar Airways: Planned partnership in the Australian aviation industry under the microscope
Spirit Airlines delays release of Q3 financial results as debt restructuring talks heat up
Delta investigating after plane’s nose mysteriously suffered damage
What Elon Musk's Starlink means for airlines
CAP OFF Major twist in Dublin Airport passenger cap row as High Court pauses decision in victory for airlines next summer season
Riyadh Air plans new jet order decision early next year
Calls for a blanket ban on politicians receiving free flight upgrades
Wizz Air Loses Challenge Against EU-Approved Romanian Aid for TAROM
Southwest, Other Airlines Plan a Shake-Up. Why They Need More to Boost Their Stocks.
One of Boeing's biggest customers leveled fresh criticism over ongoing 737 Max delivery delays
Low-Cost Airlines Innovate with Subscription Models
LA Considers $25 And $30 Minimum Wages For Hotel And Airport Workers
Airlines are on the hook for more than you think if something goes wrong with your trip
WA Labor & Industries plans to create new airline worker protections
Airlines must now give automatic refunds for significant delays. Here's what to know.
American Airlines Technical Operations, Fleet Service, Cargo and Central Load Planning team members ratify new agreement
Cornell grad students file discrimination charges over alleged harassment by unions
Webp 049mufsipw2uvrj2bt3je9d93anm
William L. Messenger Vice President and Legal Director (2023-Present) | NRTWLD&EF, Inc

Two graduate students from Cornell University have filed federal antidiscrimination charges against the Cornell Graduate Student Union (GSU) and its parent, the United Electrical (UE) union. The students, David Rubinstein and Louie Gold, allege that union officials are unlawfully harassing graduate students who submit religious objections to paying union dues.

Rubinstein and Gold, both Jewish, assert that supporting the UE unions conflicts with their religious beliefs. They have filed their charges with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), receiving legal support from National Right to Work Foundation attorneys.

The charges claim that UE union officials engage in illegal practices by harassing religious objectors instead of adhering to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employment discrimination based on religion. Rubinstein and Gold report receiving questionnaires from union officials demanding intrusive information about their religious practices.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

The students argue they have fulfilled their legal obligations by informing the union of their objections through letters. Federal law mandates that union officials provide a religious accommodation for such objections. This often allows objectors to redirect an amount equivalent to dues to a nonprofit charity.

“Both nationwide and on the Cornell campus, the UE, CGSU, and their other campus affiliates have been at the forefront of demonizing Israel," read the charges. "The unions had no objective or bona-fide reasons to doubt the basis for my accommodation request or to question my sincerely held religious beliefs.”

New York does not offer Right to Work protections, meaning UE and Cornell GSU require graduate students to pay dues as a condition of employment. However, Title VII provides exceptions for those with sincere religious objections like Rubinstein and Gold.

Since 2023, National Right to Work Foundation attorneys have supported numerous Christian and Jewish graduate students nationwide in defending against forced-dues demands from unions. In 2024, Jewish graduate students at MIT secured accommodations allowing them to donate dues-equivalent amounts to pro-Israel charities instead of the UE union.

“This situation at Cornell again shows students and the public at large exactly what GSU and UE union officials’ priorities are: radical political mobilization," said National Right to Work Foundation President Mark Mix. “Union bosses may not like it, but federal law is clear that they must comply with valid requests for a religious accommodation."

Mix added that broader reforms are needed so individuals can opt out of objectionable union support based on political, religious, financial grounds or otherwise.

More News

The UNI Africa Regional Conference concluded with a strong focus on consolidating working-class power.

Jul 6, 2025

In a recent rally at Gwanghwamun Square, UNI Global Union affiliates, including the Korea Finance Industry Union (KFIU) and the Korean Health and Medical Workers’ Union (KHMU), joined forces with national labor federations to advocate for stronger...

Jul 6, 2025

The Emirates Group recently held an exhibition titled "Tomorrow Takes Flight," showcasing its sustainability initiatives in aviation.

Jul 4, 2025

Air France-KLM has announced plans to take control of SAS Scandinavian Airlines by increasing its ownership stake to 60.5% by the end of 2026.

Jul 4, 2025

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has expressed concerns over the Global Solidarity Levy Task Force's (GSLTF) proposal to impose a premium flyer levy, citing potential negative impacts on the airline industry and broader economic...

Jul 4, 2025

American Airlines, known for its extensive network of hub airports, once operated a significant hub at St. Louis Lambert Airport (STL) in Missouri.

Jul 4, 2025