UA R6 (2015-2016): Requesting Specific Information on Labor Practices at Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar

Other Communication

• Resolution:
  UA R6 (2015-2016): Requesting Specific Information on Labor Practices at Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar
• Day:
  April 2, 2016
• Action:
  Other Communication
• Summary / Notes:
  M. Indimini (Resolution Sponsor) to Acting President Kotlikoff
• File Attachments:
• Text Attachment:
  Dear President Kotlikoff,
  
  Thank you for your reply to this important resolution. While we appreciate your assurance that Cornell is vigilant about preventing any migrant worker abuse from occurring at WCM-Q, the intent of this resolution was to request information about workforce policies and practices so that we may objectively evaluate this issue.
  
  While the requested deadlines for each request may not be feasible to maintain at this time, the specific requests were for the following information:
  •the composition of the workforce at WCM-Q, including the number of Cornell employees and contracted employees and the roles these worker groups fulfill (e.g. job group and job family analysis);
  •the names and affiliations of third party employers contracted by WCM-Q;
  •the policies and standards used by WCM-Q to choose third party employers;
  •the specific worker protections stipulated in contracts between WCM-Q and third party employers, and Cornell’s options for redress if those stipulations are violated;
  •any and all policies and practices WCM-Q uses to ensure Cornell’s standards are being upheld, including the resources available to workers with grievances;
  •the details of any and all previous labor investigations or audits conducted at WCM-Q by Cornell and any external organizations;
  •the details of any and all contact regarding salaries, policies, and protections with contracted staff at WCM-Q, where not in conflict with the law; and
  •the details of any and all contact with vendors regarding benefits and protections mandated for contracted staff.
  
  For clarification, are you denying to act on any portion of the above request, which was unanimously supported by the University Assembly? As a reminder, the University Assembly will maintain impartiality on the issue of labor conditions at Cornell’s international facilities until further information becomes available.
  
  Thank you for giving time to this important issue. I look forward to hearing from you.
  
  Kind Regards,
  Matt Indimine