a storm is brewing 

Dear Members,

Last Thursday, we bargained from 9-5 p.m. and reached tentative agreements on paid time off, transitional funding for lab workers, and employee assistance. Then, we all had an *electric* General Members Meeting, which > 500 people attended, and launched our strike pledge, which over ONE THOUSAND workers signed in less than 4 hours. We are getting close to a majority: Sign the strike pledge now!

Shortly thereafter, UChicago called our strike “premature.” Calling our fight for dignified wages and benefits “premature” makes it obvious that UChicago is scared. That's right: the admins know we mean business.

Here’s what we won at the table last week:

• Full coverage of vision premiums!

• $510 per international student for visa fees!

• Additional stipends for transportation!

• RETIREMENT contributions of $225/year! That’s groundbreaking – we are the only grad union in the nation to have retirement contributions as part of our contract.

• Paid time off for personal and sick leave (in addition to establishing the right to take other forms of leave)

• Transitional funding for lab workers!

• Employee assistance (tax assistance, emergency aid, benefit referrals) 

• We clarified the continuity of bargaining unit work for all grads in BSD, PME, PSD, and Psychology. Check our bargaining tracker for more details.

Here’s what’s still on the table:

• Admin proposed a $41,000 minimum starting in Autumn 2024, 1k above their previous offer! We countered by proposing $46,750 beginning in Autumn 2024 (or a 6% raise), and an immediate hike to an annual rate of $44,000 starting in Spring quarter of this academic year (aka in 2 months). 

• Admin still won’t counter Anti-Discrimination. It’s been three months, and we’re still waiting for a response…. Their efforts to weaken and/or withhold protections for sexual discrimination and harassment, abuse of authority, caste discrimination, and political persecution represent an affront to building a safe, inclusive campus. 

• UChicago has never responded to our Teaching proposal, despite our willingness to work off their own proposal…if they write one! Teaching represents a fundamental part of grad worker labor, and their refusal to acknowledge that the inflexibility of the current system creates overwork and under-preparation is an affront to the academic culture of this campus. Read more about these sticking points on our website. 

That’s a wrap folks! Sign the Strike Pledge to help us to bring this contract home! Our next bargaining session is Feb. 22nd so join the Contract Action Team and come to a phone bank to get your coworkers on board! 

In solidarity,

Your Bargaining Committee