Mediation continued today with another half-day session. We maintained progress towards an agreement with movement from Columbia’s bargaining team on (1) PhD wage increases, (2) summer stipends, and (3) EOAA enhancements.

  1. The University proposed an additional 1% increase (on top of 2%) in wages payable to all student workers (on appointment) during the first year of the contract. This 1% increase would be disbursed as a lump sum during each semester on appointment, in Fall 2021, Spring 2022, and Summer 2022. The University maintained a 2% increase in Year 2 and 3% increase in Year 3.

  2. For Summer 2021, Columbia proposed a $5,000 summer stipend for all PhDs on 9-month appointments in years 1-5, which includes an additional $1,000 of COVID-19 relief on top of the current $4,000 stipend. For those in years 6 & 7, Columbia offered to provide $1,000 of COVID-19 relief. For Summers 2022, 2023, and 2024, Columbia proposes increases to the current $4,000 summer stipend of 10%, 2%, and 3%, respectively.

  3. On EOAA, the University incorporated the right to access information, recordings, and evidence pertaining to a case. These improvements address some but certainly not all of our concerns about the EOAA process, and we will continue to press on this on Sunday.

We also clarified with Columbia that Nursing PhDs will indeed be brought up to the minimum total support in Year 1 of the Agreement. This is a huge victory and we are excited to share this news.

Our next mediation session will be this Sunday at 1-5 PM ET. We expect to hear from the University on improvements to dental. RSVP here.

We will also be holding a General Body Meeting next Monday at 7-8:30 PM ET. Registration link will be provided.