Strike Vote Results and Package Drop at Bargaining Today
Join us for a Strike Authorization Town Hall tonight at 7pm, register here.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Strike Authorization Vote -- we had a tremendous turn out and look forward to hearing everyone’s perspective at tonight’s town hall on building a strike plan.
Total ballots: 2,038
Yes: 1,804
No: 234
This Monday our lawyers filed an Unfair Labor Practice charge against Columbia for unilaterally discontinuing its established practice of granting 3% annual increases to student worker wages (the wage freeze). We are also preparing to file further charges in the near future.
In Tuesday’s bargaining session our team presented our proposal for improved health benefits for all student workers. The University refused to engage with the article and reiterated that they would only comment on our proposals once we have presented all of the improvements to the Tentative Agreement we are requesting.
We will present the last two articles we are looking to modify in the session today Thursday at 2pm - Non-Discrimination and Harrassment, and Union Dues.
Register for a zoom link to Bargaining, and Caucus.
Improvements to Health Benefits we asked for:
Coverage of Dental and Vision premiums for student workers and dependents
A $300,000 healthcare fund in the first year, growing to $400,000 in the last year of our contract, which will reimburse out-of-pocket costs for all student workers
A $200,000 fund, growing to $250,000 in the last year of our contract, which will reimburse out-of-pocket costs for dependent care coverage
Enhancements to the University's health and mental health care facilities, including increasing staff capacity and providing services sensitive to the needs of historically marginalized student workers, including Black and Indigenous people of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Preventing NYPD and other government agencies like ICE/CBP from entering our campus or being given student records without due legal process.
A $500 contribution to the Food Pantry at Columbia each semester from both the union and the University.
Shortly, we will send and publish on our website - studentoworkersofcolumbia.com - the package of proposals we are reopening which we will be sending to the University today. To comment on these, please come to the pre-bargaining caucus at 1:30pm Thursday before the 2pm bargaining session.