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. The University proposed an additional 1% increase (on top
Update on Strike Pause | Next GBM (Save the Date)
The Bargaining Committee is considering resuming the strike if major differences are not resolved. We encourage all unit members to organize their departments to be ready to resume the strike on Wednesday, April 21, if needed. We have a long
Bargaining Update from April 15 Session
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