{"id":4189,"date":"2021-02-18T21:37:30","date_gmt":"2021-02-18T21:37:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/columbiagradunion.org\/?page_id=4189"},"modified":"2021-04-19T04:45:01","modified_gmt":"2021-04-19T04:45:01","slug":"strike-2021","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/columbiagradunion.org\/strike-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"Strike 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Strike Resources | I want to support! What do I need to do?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

IN-PERSON PICKETING<\/span><\/a> DIGITAL PICKETING<\/span><\/a> HARDSHIP FUND<\/span><\/a> UAW STRIKE FUND<\/span><\/a> COLUMBIA: STOP THE INTIMIDATION! (PETITION)<\/span><\/a><\/center><\/p>\n
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SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO TALK TO YOUR STUDENTS<\/span><\/a> SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO TALK TO YOUR FACULTY<\/span><\/a> GRAPHICS FOR ZOOM AND SOCIAL MEDIA<\/span><\/a><\/center><\/p>\n
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#CUonStrike<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

As of this <\/span>Monday March 15th<\/b>, Columbia\u2019s grad worker union GWC-UAW local 2110 is on strike. The union has been bargaining for over 2 years since November 2018 when Columbia recognised the union (on the condition that the union relinquish its right to strike<\/span> till April 2020).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tentative agreements have been reached, including doubling childcare subsidies from $2,000 to $4,000. These<\/span> concessions<\/span><\/a> have been extracted with great difficulty from an unwilling university. Columbia has poured its resources into opposing the very idea of a union and has repeatedly bargained in bad faith. At present, Columbia is offering a 2% raise (usually Columbia increases our stipends at the rate of 3-3.75% per year). Due to Columbia\u2019s refusal to reach an agreement providing basic security, the union is striking to reach a contract agreement.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What\u2019s the strike for?\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

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  1. Neutral, third party, arbitration<\/b> to dispute EOAA outcomes on harassment and discrimination, and to handle cases of bullying;<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. A $4,000 increase (approx) in our stipends and summer funding per year over the next 3 years and increases for both hourly and salaried workers to move us closer to <\/span>a living wage<\/b>;<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Recognition of the full unit<\/b> including undergraduate and MA workers consistent with the NLRB certification and the 2018 Bargaining Framework Agreement in which Columbia committed to include all workers recognized by the NLRB;<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Union shop<\/b> so that our union has resources to enforce the contract;<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Healthcare<\/b> fund of $250k per year and partial coverage of dental premiums for PhD workers.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Without a contract, graduate workers are exposed to Columbia\u2019s extremely uneven and unfair approaches to handling discrimination and harassment cases, and lack the opportunity for representation if Columbia behaves in a discriminatory way as they did in this<\/span> incident<\/span><\/a>. The contract negotiated at present would also enable international students to access regular sessions with immigration attorneys if they face visa difficulties.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    What has been Columbia\u2019s response?\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

    During a bargaining session on the 9th of March, Columbia stated they would be creating a website for people to self-report whether or not they are working.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Columbia has threatened to dock the pay and stipends of workers going on strike. This is within their legal rights as an employer, but it is also <\/span>an attempt to break the strike<\/span><\/i>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n