August 8, 2020

Nominations are hereby declared open for the GWC-UAW Local 2110 Bargaining Committee vacancy elections (eight [8] positions): All eligible Union supporters [any Columbia graduate and undergraduate student who is currently employed by the University according to the categories outlined by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Columbia decision (i.e. graduate and undergraduate Teaching Assistants, Teaching Fellows, Preceptors, Course Assistants, Readers, Graders, Graduate Research Assistants [including those on Training Grants], and All Departmental Research Assistants)] who have signed a GWC-UAW authorization card and work in a jurisdiction with a vacant position are automatically nominated for the GWC-UAW Local 2110 Bargaining Committee.

 

The Bargaining Committee vacancies are allocated from the following jurisdictions:

One [1] member who works in GSAS natural sciences departments;

Two [2] members who work in GSAS humanities/social sciences departments;

One [1] member who works in SEAS departments;

Two [2] members who work in professional/other schools (School of the Arts, Journalism, SIPA, Business, Professional Studies, GSAPP, Social Work, Law, etc);

Two [2] members who work in Biomedical Sciences (P&S)/CUMC/Public Health departments.

Any eligible Union supporter who wishes to accept the nomination for one of the eight [8] Bargaining Committee positions listed above must indicate their intention in writing, including the specific jurisdiction for which they are a candidate, by electronic scan (pdf) or photograph attachment, of a signed acceptance of nomination for the specified position above no later than 5:00 PM on Tuesday, August 25, 2020 by email to the UAW Local 2110 Elections Committee at local2110@2110uaw.org.

Responsibilities of Bargaining Committee members are on our website and at the bottom of this email: https://columbiagradunion.org/vote/bargainingcommitteenomination/

Candidate statements

Each candidate may write and submit a candidate statement of no more than 250 words. These statements will be posted on the GWC-UAW Local 2110 website if there are contested elections. Address, phone number, and email address must be included, but will not be counted toward the 250 words.

It is the responsibility of the candidate to submit the candidate statement. All candidate statements must be received by the time nominations close at 5:00 PM on Tuesday, August 25, 2020.

 

Election Dates, Times, and Locations

In the event that the number of eligible candidates who accept nomination for the specified jurisdiction do not exceed the number of vacancies in that jurisdiction, such candidate(s) will be deemed elected by acclamation and no election will be held.

If more eligible candidates accept nomination for the jurisdiction than the number of vacancies in that jurisdiction, an election will be conducted with the top vote getter(s) for the specific jurisdiction being elected.

Elections will start on September 8 (Tuesday) at 9:00 AM EST and end September 9 (Wednesday) at 9:00 PM EST via electronic voting. Step-by-step instructions will be provided at a further date.

A runoff election, if necessary, will be held on Wednesday, September 15, 2020, 9:00 AM-9:00 PM EST.

 

VOTING IN THE ELECTION SHALL BE AT LARGE AND SHALL NOT BE RESTRICTED BY JURISDICTION.

Voters, regardless of department, shall be entitled to vote for the number of candidates not exceeding the number of vacancies in each jurisdiction, for a total of eight [8] candidates.

Eligible voters have signed a GWC-UAW authorization card who are Columbia graduate and undergraduate students who are currently employed by the University, have been employed by the University in the past, or whose program includes a degree requirement to be employed by the University in one of the categories outlined by the NLRB decision (i.e. graduate and undergraduate Teaching Assistants, Teaching Fellows, Preceptors, Course Assistants, Readers, Graders, Graduate Research Assistants [including those on Training Grants], and All Departmental Research Assistants). If you meet the above criteria and have not signed up for the Union previously, you may do so here.

 

GWC-UAW Bargaining Committee Responsibilities

The primary responsibility of the committee is to negotiate an initial collective bargaining agreement with the University administration’s team. Election to the committee obligates each member to represent and fight for the best possible contract for all members of the bargaining unit.

To accept nomination and be elected to the Bargaining Committee, you must have demonstrated support for the Union by signing a union authorization card or other form of support and be employed or have been employed in the last year in a bargaining unit position. The committee will be trained and assisted by experienced negotiators from the Union who will also participate in the negotiations with the University. See below for specific responsibilities.

  • Develop and present contract language proposals to the University bargaining team for negotiation.
  • Attend negotiating sessions with the University and Union internal caucuses or meetings in order to advance our bargaining agenda.
  • Assess, analyze and respond to University bargaining proposals and develop Union counter proposals.
  • Keep the membership and allies informed and educated about the negotiations and the process.
  • Coordinate with the volunteer organizing committee, working groups, and other activists on a strategic campaign to win a strong contract that can be recommended for ratification.
  • Make a recommendation to the membership on whether to approve a contract or take other actions (e.g., a vote to authorize the committee to authorize strike action if necessary).

Committee members should assume that the time commitment will be significant. Note that the schedule of bargaining itself is subject to negotiation with the University.