Mediation continued today with another half-day session. We maintained progress towards an agreement with movement from Columbia\u2019s bargaining team on (1) PhD wage increases, (2) summer stipends, and (3) EOAA enhancements.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
We also clarified with Columbia that\u00a0Nursing PhDs will indeed be brought up to the minimum total support in Year 1<\/strong>\u00a0of the Agreement. This is a huge victory and we are excited to share this news.<\/p>\n