Columbia student workers abandon Israel divestment demand amid contract talks

In the latest round of contract talks with Columbia University, the Student Workers of Columbia-United Auto Workers union eliminated a provision calling for the institution to divest from companies that operate in Israel. Grant Miner, the union’s president, said the decision was forced by the “realities” of the negotiation process. The original demand sought to pressure the university to withdraw funds from firms deemed to breach international law, a request aimed at Israel.

The union, representing about 3,000 undergraduates, has been locked in negotiations since the previous year, with the divestment issue contributing to a stalemate. By dropping the clause, the union hopes to move the broader agreement forward. The change marks a setback for campus activists advocating for the Israel-related divestment campaign.