Union Social this Thursday at Morningside + Ballots for UAW election

Join us to meet postdoc and Associate research colleagues for an orientation and social this Thursday Nov 3rd at 6pm in Fairchild room 800 on the Morningside campus, and also on zoom.

RSVP for an Orientation and Social!

Food and drinks will be provided. 

Didn’t receive your ballot for UAW elections? Request a replacement today!

This November, for the first time in the history of the UAW, members will directly decide who will lead our union on the International Executive Board (IEB), the leading instrument of UAW.

If you have not received a ballot in the mail by now you can request a replacement ballot at https://uawvote.com/newRequest  or by calling 855-433-8683 (their hours are Monday-Friday, 8am-8pm, and Saturday 9am-5pm). Please note that a replacement ballot may take about 7 days to get to you after you request one, and ballots should be returned in the mail by November 18 at the latest to ensure they are received by the November 28, the 2022 election deadline.

Make sure you participate in these historic elections and have your voice heard by casting your ballot!

In solidarity,

CPW-UAW Local 4100 Executive Board

HAVE AN ISSUE? GET IN CONTACT!

Want to stay informed? Check out our website and follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Report from Union-Management Committee

Appointments/Reappointments

Constant delays across departments leaves postdocs/ARS without pay, healthcare and other benefits sometimes jeopardizing workplace access and Visa renewal. 
We work effectively with OPA to correct the problem once it arises while requesting structural changes to prevent it from happening in the first place.
In response, Columbia leadership will implement some measures: notifying HR, the department chair and another officer 120 days before the end of the appointment.  
This is insufficient. We know researchers themselves have done this before and yet the problem remains.
Reach out if you learn about any delays in appointment/reappointment. We can help and collectively make sure that Columbia fixes this issue once and for all. 

Reach Out!

Postdoctoral Fellows benefits

Postdoc Fellows are still penalized, losing access to several benefits like retirement, tuition benefits and getting their healthcare taxed as imputed income.
Columbia has assured that any fellow who accrued 2-years as a non-fellow will access some benefits, but still have not guaranteed full equality for fellows.
Join our Fellows working group as we design language to ensure equality for our next contract campaign.

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Join other Fellows in your Union

Academic Bullying

Several postdocs/ARSs reached out to the union after suffering bullying and power-based harassment. The problem persists and in most cases is just better for them to leave Columbia as we still lack tools to protect ourselves and our research.
Members of our union along with the union of Graduate Workers, Faculty and Administrators worked tirelessly for months to produce comprehensive recommendations for an anti-bullying policy.
The recommendations are now waiting for feedback from the Senate. We don’t have a clear timeline for its implementation.
Join our anti-bullying working group to design contract language to protect postdocs/ARSs when they need

Join our Working Group

Unit List and Dues/Fair Share Fee Deductions

Postdocs/ARSs at Columbia deserve to know their rights, to union protection and representation and our ability to collectively ensure fair and safe working conditions.
The university makes no effort to inform us all and also fails in providing us with accurate, updated, monthly lists of postdoc/ARSs working at Columbia, as they contractually agreed. We have received only 8 lists in 2 years (from 24 we are owed), with wrong location and start dates information and removing researchers without reason.
In addition, the university jeopardizes our collective power by not properly deducting the dues and fees that sustain our ability to inform, protect and advocate for our rights and to improve our working conditions.

Learn your rights and keep an eye for our next orientation!

Timesheet Trackers

Our contract ensures that we are paid for any unused Paid Time Off (Holidays, Vacations and Personal Days) at the end of the appointment. 

Some departments implemented burdensome timesheet trackers, with unclear policies blaming postdocs/ARSs when the requirement is delayed for reasons out of their control. 

We have requested that if departments implement timesheet tracking, the policy has to be adjusted to the reality of our working conditions and not cause unnecessary burdens. 

In solidarity,

Naeem, Erica, Stefano, Fede and Cora

[RSVP] October membership meeting: Thursday October 27th at 6:30pm

Our October membership meeting will take place on Thursday October 27th at 6:30pm in hybrid mode: both in person at CUIMC and on zoom. Use one of the links below to RSVP.

RSVP to attend the membership meeting in person.

RSVP to attend the membership meeting on zoom.

This is the last meeting before we will start analyzing the responses of the bargaining survey. However, we would like to get more people to fill them in order to have statistics on the majority of the people in our unit and not just a small part. For that reason, your help is crucial for our upcoming campaign to get more bargaining surveys filled. So please share them with your coworkers and let’s set our bargaining goals all together. 

At this meeting, we will be discussing the following topics: 

  • Union Management Committee meeting – where we have discussed issues with appointments/reappointment delays, difficulties for postdocs/ARSs to apply for grants as PIs, discrimination on access to benefits for fellows… 
  • Contract Topics Working Groups – on Fellows, Intellectual Property/Authorship, protections against bullying… Sign up if you are interested!
  • Organizing Training and Organizing Committee Events
  • Report from the rally against Abortion Rights

In addition, we will have our monthly Finances and Executive Board reports and discuss some important steps in preparation for our next contract campaign.

Finally, we want to share two sign-ons in support of the Iranian community: Co-Sign the Call to Action from CU’s Iranian Community, Co-Sign the Statement in Solidarity with Iranian Faculty and Students against State Repression.

In solidarity,

CPW-UAW Local 4100 Executive Board

HAVE AN ISSUE? GET IN CONTACT!

Want to stay informed? Check out our website and follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook and join our Slack.

Union Update: Phone Bank Today and Member Meeting Next Thursday!

In preparation for bargaining our next contract with Columbia University, there are many Union events and happenings to be aware of – keep an eye out for a newsletter twice a month and be sure to sign up for email updates!

TAKE THE BARGAINING SURVEY HERE!

JOIN THE PHONE BANK ZOOM CALL HERE

Not a Member Yet? Join Your Co-Workers in Fighting for Equity, Inclusion, and Competitiveness!

Have an Issue? Get in Contact!
Want to stay informed? Check out our website and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Candidate Forum for UAW Region 9A Director

Over the next six weeks, the entire UAW membership will decide who is elected to the highest positions in the UAW International Union for the next four years. Please update your mailing address here TODAY to ensure that you receive a paper ballot later this month!

One of the most important races in these quadrennial elections is for the position of Director of UAW Region 9A, the Region our Local Union is located within. The two Candidates running for this position are Beverley Brakeman and Brandon Mancilla. In order for the membership to participate in this election in an informed capacity, we are hosting a Candidate Forum TOMORROW, October 11, 2022, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm EDT. It will be moderated by Barbara Madeloni, Education Coordinator at Labor Notes and a former president of the Massachusetts Teachers Association.

The questions that will be asked at the Candidate Forum were written by workers across all three UAW Local Unions at Columbia University⏤specifically, by members of the Student Workers of Columbia–UAW Local 2710, the Columbia Postdoctoral Workers–UAW Local 4100, and the Columbia Support Staff–UAW Local 2110.

Watch it TOMORROW, October 11, 2022, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm EDT on Zoom here: 

bit.ly/CU9AForumZM


If you miss it, you can watch the recording at your convenience on YouTube here:

bit.ly/CU9AForumYT

You can read the Candidate Forum Rules here:

bit.ly/CU9AForumRules

And the Candidate Forum Program here:

bit.ly/CU9AForumProgram

To get the word out, please like, retweet, share, and save these social media posts on Twitter post, Instagram, and Facebook

Want to learn more about these upcoming elections? Click here and here!

In solidarity,

The Forum Organizing Team

P.S. –  Want to stay informed? Check out our website and follow us on Twitter and Facebook. As a member you can also join our Slack channel.

Union News: Fill Out the Bargaining Survey, Come to an Organizing Training, and More!

In preparation for bargaining our next contract with Columbia University, there are many Union events and happenings to be aware of – keep an eye out for a newsletter twice a month and be sure to sign up for email updates!

TAKE THE BARGAINING SURVEY HERE!

RSVP for the organizing training HERE

Not a Member Yet? Join Your Co-Workers in Fighting for Equity, Inclusion, and Competitiveness!

Have an Issue? Get in Contact!
Want to stay informed? Check out our website and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Historic UAW Election This Fall: Make Your Voice Heard!

For the first time in our union’s history, UAW members like us will decide who is elected to the highest positions in our union for the next four years this Fall. Want to play a part in this historic election? Please, if you haven’t yet, update your mailing address here TODAY to ensure that you receive a paper ballot! Then join us this Wednesday, October 5, 2022, at 5:30 pm EDT.


Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84611750239?pwd=UklmUU92Zm9GekFBcjlDMjZncDZMZz09

At our meeting this Wednesday, we’ll be planning for an upcoming Candidate Forum between the two Candidates for Director of UAW Region 9A, the region our local is situated within, on Tuesday, October 11, 2022, at 5:30 pm EDT. Want to learn more about these upcoming elections? Click here and here!

Did you know?

Thousands of workers employed by Columbia University, Barnard College, Teachers College, and Union Theological Seminary are members of our union, the United Auto Workers (UAW)! Meet them this Wednesday as we plan for the Region 9A Director Candidate Forum on Zoom! We’ll be deciding which questions to ask the Candidates in our forum from those that were submitted by members, among other things. You may submit questions for consideration using this link before Wednesday, October 5, 2022, at 12:00 pm EDT. We hope to see you there.

Don’t let this moment pass you by – join us this Wednesday as we take the first step in preparing for this important election! Questions? Reply to this email.

Solidarity forever,

The Forum Organizing Team

Katy Habr, Vice Chair, Student Workers of Columbia–UAW Local 2710Cora Bergantiños-Crespo, President, Columbia Postdoctoral Workers–UAW Local 4100
Claire Valdez, Unit Chair, Columbia Support Staff–UAW Local 2110

P.S. –  Want to stay informed? Check out our website and follow us on Twitter and Facebook. As a member you can also join our Slack channel.

Rally for reproductive justice Thursday, October 6th at Columbia Morningside Campus

As part of a national call, a coalition of workers and students at Barnard and Columbia is rallying for reproductive justice this comingThursday, October 6th.

Join us and over 30 schools from 20 States in a coordinated rally at noon at the Sundial, Columbia Morningside, at the center of the College Walk, to demand a federal law protecting the right to abortion care, women healthand gender affirming healthcare.

We ask that Columbia provides free abortion pills and childcare on all campuses, withdraw its institutional support from the proposed plan for a “feminist“ jail in Harlem, and keep the Red Ballon Preschool open. Read more and sign the petition here.

Help us make some noise! We want Columbia to listen to our demands.

For more details, including specific demands to Columbia, >>>>>> https://linktr.ee/cugsan

In solidarity,

CPW-UAW Local 4100 Executive Board

P.S. –  Want to stay informed? Check out our website and follow us on Twitter and Facebook. As a member you can also join our Slack channel.

Update your mailing address by Tuesday to participate in a historical UAW election!

After the victory of the One Member referendum, the time for UAW members has arrived to cast the vote for the international leadership of UAW. Through our vote, we can make sure our international union continues growing in the academic sector, unionizing more postdocs and strengthening the voice of academic workers nationwide! 

Make sure you receive your ballot by mail updating your current address here. Deadline Tuesday October 4th

All UAW members can vote for the election of the President, three Vice Presidents, and the Secretary-Treasurer. Still undecided? Click here to watch recorded Forums of the candidates running.

In addition, we will also vote for the director for our region, 9A.We have partnered with Student Workers of Columbia–UAW Local 2710, and the Columbia Support Staff–UAW Local 2110 to conduct our own forum and to present to you the nominated Candidates for the position: Beverley Brakeman and Brandon Mancilla. 

Columbia University Region 9A candidate forum: 

Tuesday, October 11, 2022, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM EDT over Zoom (not sure you can make it? No worries, it will be recorded!). 

Over the next weeks, we will collectively determine the format and logistics of the forum and select the questions that will be asked. Here’s a  form to submit your questions to the candidates by Monday, October 3, 2022. 

Please keep an eye out for updates!

In solidarity,

CPW-UAW Local 4100 Executive Board

P.S. –  Want to stay informed? Check out our website and follow us on Twitter and Facebook. As a member you can also join our Slack channel.

Recap membership meeting + support postdoc with unfair debt to Columbia

Nice seeing you at our last membership meeting! And mark your calendar for the next meeting on the 20th of October.

Here’s a recap on what was discussed:

  1. Action in support to a former member who has been asked for unjust payments linked to the enrollment to the American Language Program (ALP). Sign the petition!! Add your name here.
  1. Report and Q/A session from a member of UAW 2110 (Support staff at Columbia) on their current negotiations for their new contract underlying the importance of building power from members for a strong ground during the negotiations; 
  1. Our Bargaining Committee (BC) reported on the status of preparations for our upcoming contract negotiations. Great work has been done on identifying weaknesses and areas of improvement in the current contract, the next step is to put all of this in writing with proper legal language! MOST IMPORTANTLY (!!) The BC highlighted the need for help from people volunteering in topics-centered working groups (WG) to present a strong, unified and data-driven basis in support of our requests to Columbia for our new contract. Sign up here or reach out to postdoctunion@uaw4100.org and take part in the process. This is a call for help!! An email from the BC with more details on the WGs is cooking and will follow soon;
  1. Members voted to join other collective organizations throughout CU (e.g. student workers, RAs, support staff) in a national walkout on reproductive rights, the right to gender-affirming healthcare and sex education. The event will take place on Oct 6th keep an eye for more updates.
  1. Upcoming elections for UAW’s International Executive Board are near!!! Please >>>> make sure we have your current mailing address (update it here) so you can receive your ballot to cast a vote, and click here for upcoming events planned for you to meet and know more about the candidates. 

Got any question on one or all of the points of orders above? Reach out and let us know!! We’d beappy to answer and tell you more.

Last reminder: our next membership meeting will be on October 20th at 6:30pm. 

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Cheers,

CPW-UAW Local 4100 Executive Board

P.S. –  Want to stay informed? Check out our website and follow us on Twitter and Facebook. As a member you can also join our Slack channel.