Student Workers of Columbia 12/3/21 Student Workers of Columbia 12/3/21

BC Response to HR Email

Tonight we received an email from HR threatening to withhold some appointment letters for the Spring semester if we do not end our strike by December 10th. Make no mistake that this threat is a form of retaliation and intended to break the power of our strike. This threat is illegal, and it demonstrates that the university is bargaining in bad faith. It also shows that our strike is working and the university is desperate to end it.

Student Workers of Columbia 11/27/21 Student Workers of Columbia 11/27/21

Mediation Tomorrow! Hardship Fund Round 3 Application, And More

The purpose of the mediation session on Wednesday was to give us a clearer understanding of the flexibility of the university on our four main concerns: compensation, health insurance, recognition, and neutral arbitration. The main takeaway however, was that the university is at present unwilling to make concrete concessions beyond what they have previously signalled.

Student Workers of Columbia 11/25/21 Student Workers of Columbia 11/25/21

Happy Thanksgiving! We’re In The New York Times!

We hope this email finds you and your loved ones well and safe, and that these days come with much needed rest and quality time with them.

Student Workers of Columbia 11/24/21 Student Workers of Columbia 11/24/21

Poll Results: We Will Continue Striking.

On Tuesday, we sent a poll out to the unit to gauge support for continuing the strike. This was in fulfillment of our bylaws, which state that decisions about how long to strike will be made in consultation with the unit.

Student Workers of Columbia 11/24/21 Student Workers of Columbia 11/24/21

Happy Strikesgiving! Watch Today's Mediation In Nous, At 1pm

With today marking the end of our third week on strike, we invite student workers to join us at Nous Cafe (in Philosophy Hall), at 1pm today to meet with colleagues, drink hot cider, and watch our second mediation session together on a big screen. We hope you can make it!

Student Workers of Columbia 11/24/21 Student Workers of Columbia 11/24/21

Mediation Session Today!

We just got notified for a mediation session today. The session with the mediator will begin at 12.30, with caucus at 12.00. We look forward to seeing you there!

Student Workers of Columbia 11/23/21 Student Workers of Columbia 11/23/21

Poll To Continue Or End The Strike: Week Of Friday, November 26th.

We are at the third week of our strike. At this point, we need you to offer your opinion on the direction of the strike.

Student Workers of Columbia 11/23/21 Student Workers of Columbia 11/23/21

GBM Today! Mediation Begins; Hardship Fund Round 2.

Today we had our first caucus with mediator Kevin Flanigan. He came prepared with specific questions about our history, our current demands, and our vision for moving forward.

Student Workers of Columbia 11/22/21 Student Workers of Columbia 11/22/21

New Link For Our First Mediation Session!

To ensure that everyone can observe our first session with our mediator, Kevin Flanagan, we will be using the link we typically use for caucus sessions, not the link sent out previously. Click here to join the mediation session which began at 2pm: link

Student Workers of Columbia 11/22/21 Student Workers of Columbia 11/22/21

Mediation Link 2 PM And Thank You To St. Mary’s

Student Workers of Columbia 11/21/21 Student Workers of Columbia 11/21/21

Strike momentum builds: mediation begins on our terms!

We are entering into mediation on strong footing - on our terms, with our choice of mediator, with a strong strike (the largest in the country) - and remain optimistic about negotiations moving forward. The University agreed to proceed with Kevin Flanigan as our mediator.

Student Workers of Columbia 11/19/21 Student Workers of Columbia 11/19/21

SATURDAY: Mediator Interviews 11/20

The Bargaining Committee and the University have agreed to meet to interview our choice for mediator Kevin Flanigan, as well as the university’s choice of joint mediators Carol A. Wittenberg and Damali Peterman.

Student Workers of Columbia 11/18/21 Student Workers of Columbia 11/18/21

Poll Results: We Will Continue Striking.

The results of the poll indicate that an overwhelming majority of both strikers and non-strikers want to continue our strike for another week.

Student Workers of Columbia 11/18/21 Student Workers of Columbia 11/18/21

Bargaining Cancelled Today

The Bargaining Committee is negotiating with the University on proposed mediation. Today’s bargaining session is cancelled.

Student Workers of Columbia 11/17/21 Student Workers of Columbia 11/17/21

Poll On Continuing Or Ending The Strike After Friday, Nov. 19

We are now two weeks into our strike, and we are soliciting your opinion about the direction of the strike. This poll will be used to determine whether the union conducts a secret ballot vote to end the strike. This poll will ask if you would like the strike to continue after Friday, November 19.

Student Workers of Columbia 11/17/21 Student Workers of Columbia 11/17/21

GBM 5pm TONIGHT, Bargaining Update, Statement From BC

Yesterday’s bargaining session was short, but revealing. We reiterated our determination to defend SWC members against unlawful threats of retaliation for exercising our legal right to strike. We reminded the university that we are striking in part because Columbia has repeatedly committed unfair labor practices, including the imposition of a wage freeze in retaliation for rejecting the spring TA and unilaterally changing the way student workers’ wages are disbursed. This means student workers are not only protected from being fired or disciplined for going on strike, but also cannot have their labor permanently replaced.

Student Workers of Columbia 11/17/21 Student Workers of Columbia 11/17/21

URGENT: Criteria To Receive Strike Pay

We are writing to remind you that in order to receive strike pay for the first weeks of our strike, you need to fulfill picket hours. To receive strike benefits, please fill out the request form by 11am, Wednesday, 11/17.

Student Workers of Columbia 11/16/21 Student Workers of Columbia 11/16/21

Bargaining Today 11/16, 2pm

As we enter the third calendar week of our strike, we want to remind strikers that you have the option to request strike benefits of $275/week from the UAW strike fund, plus an additional $275 bonus during the week of Thanksgiving, if we’re still on strike.

Student Workers of Columbia 11/15/21 Student Workers of Columbia 11/15/21

UAW Strike Pay, Hardship Fund, Mutual Aid; Schedule Updates

As we near the middle of week 2 of our strike and Columbia withholds our first paycheck, we are reaching out with updates on rounds 0 & 1 of the Hardship Fund, UAW Strike Fund, mutual aid efforts, and more information on rent strike recommendations.

Student Workers of Columbia 11/14/21 Student Workers of Columbia 11/14/21

Protect our undergrads, build our momentum

Just one week after beginning our strike, the university has already made improvements on their initial proposal (after weeks of insisting that they had no more to give).