It’s been a busy couple of bargaining days! On Monday, Postdocs and Research Staff co-presented several joint articles, and Tuesday was a full in-person Research Staff bargaining day.
Read on for a summary of the action, and visit the Research Staff bargaining portal to get more details about specific articles, upcoming bargaining dates, and more.
Summary of Bargaining Progress
Today we passed management our counterproposals for:
- Article 6: Corrective Action
- Article 10: Grievance Procedure
- Article 15: Hours of Work
- Article 23: Performance Evaluations
- Article 25: PI Eligibility
- Article 28: Professional Development
- Article 37: Travel
Yesterday, we passed the following joint counter proposals with the Postdocs:
- Article 11: Health and Safety
- Article 21: Non-Discrimination & Harassment
- Article 29: Reasonable Accommodation
- MOU: EPIC
- MOU: Transition Support
Management passed us:
- Article 1: Purpose and Intent
- Article 3: Management Rights
- Article 9: Exit Interviews
- Article 16: Inclement Weather and Suspended Operations
- Article 22: Overtime
- Article 27: Probation
- Article 30: Recognition of Work
- Article 34: Telework and Work Location
- Article 39: Union Rights
- Article 40: Union Security
- Article 43: Workspace and Materials
Article Spotlight: Probation
Many Research Staff enter the unit through temporary appointments lasting 6–12 months before being hired into permanent positions. Under the current contract, they then start from scratch with a 6-month probationary period, a stretch where they can be let go without just cause and have fewer contract protections. That makes no sense: if you’ve already been doing the job for months, you shouldn’t have to re-prove yourself with reduced rights. This session, Management moved toward our position, presenting language that would credit up to 3 months of equivalent temporary service toward probation. That means Research Staff who start as temps would get the full protections of our contract months sooner: real progress, and proof that pressure at the table works.
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Participate in Larger Actions to Win a Strong Contract!
While we saw some movement on a couple of items, Research Staff are now in an expired contract with only a handful of upcoming bargaining dates scheduled. Management’s movement is dependent on the power we flex outside the bargaining table. We gotta apply more pressure on Admin! Every one of us needs to be actively engaged in building the power needed to speed up progress on a fair contract. Click the button below or reply to this email to let us know you’re in!
As always, one way you can show management that Research Staff demand more substantial movement is through membership! If you’re not a member yet, you can join today. If you’re already a member, share the membership link with 3 of your teammates today.
In solidarity,
Your Bargaining Team
Iván Cruz
Tess Grover
KeliAnne Hara-Hubbard
Evan Howard
Jessamy Johnson
Lucas O’Bryan
N. Shane Patrick
Gracy Shaw