Today we continued in mediation with a half-day session. We maintained the positive momentum and now have a clearer picture of the remaining roadblocks to the overall agreement. We made progress on compensation for masters, undergraduate, and hourly workers. Today
Bargaining Update from April 14 Session
Today, through mediation, the University made the most significant set of moves we’ve seen since before the strike and gave us a much better understanding of their “wiggle room.” We saw that Columbia may be willing to move on their
Update from April 12 Bargaining Session
TLDR: We reached a tentative agreement on a COVID-19 Funding Extensions side letter, and the University proposed to bring Mailman PhD workers to the GSAS total support rates at a faster rate. We began the session discussing reports of retaliation
Strike on Pause: Action Items
We are writing to summarize a few points as many of us are back to work while the strike is on pause. If your questions remain unanswered, please do not hesitate to reach out by replying to this email. Pay
COVID-19 Funding Extension | Bargaining Update from April 11 Session
TLDR: Today we received the first written response from the University on the COVID-19 Funding Extensions side letter that indicated the University’s continued efforts to provide resources for students whose research was impacted by the pandemic. We will continue to
First Mediation | Bargaining Update from April 8 Session
TLDR: We had our first mediation session with federal mediator Andrea Cancer. On Thursday, April 8, we met for our first bargaining session in mediation. Both sides agreed on Andrea Cancer, who was assigned to our case by Federal Mediation
Rally Tomorrow on Low Steps
Student workers are organizing a rally tomorrow, Friday, April 9, at 12 noon ET. Come to add pressure on Columbia to reach a fair agreement with us NOW! Lunch will be provided.
Second Round of Applications for Hardship Fund
We write with an update about the hardship fund disbursement process. We have finished reviewing all of the applications from the first round; if you applied, you should be hearing from us in the next few days (if you haven’t
Mediation, Attestation & Back-pay | Bargaining Update from April 5 Session
We met Columbia’s team for a brief bargaining session the evening of April 5th before we embark with mediation in future sessions. The University wanted to address the backlog of work withheld during the strike. They plan to implement a
Strike Pauses as We Enter Mediation
The Bargaining Committee has decided to accept the University’s offer of mediation with a strike pause. Given the timing and status of bargaining, we believe that we have the best chance of winning a fair agreement this semester if we