2019-2020 Contract Negotiations

At our last membership meeting we voted that we will be meeting on the third Thursday of the month at 6:30pm through May. Mark your calendar for our next membership meeting on February 17th. 

We also had an initial discussion about the possibility of SWC joining our Local. This dialogue focused on the differences in bargaining tactics used by SWC and ourselves, and also on the need to better understand how a joint local would function. As this decision has the potential to impact every aspect of our union, we would like to have much more discussion with members about the pros and cons and do more research on how adding the 3,000 student employees in SWC into Local 4100 union could affect postdoc/ARS representation. We would also like to invite members of other academic unions at universities with joint postdoc/student unions (such as 4121 in the University of Washington) or separate postdoc and student unions (such as 5810 at the University of California, a Postdoctoral Local working in close collaboration with 2865 Local of Grad Students) to share their perspectives with us at future membership meetings. At the same time, we will continue our work to win a university-wide policy against bullying and move to our next contract campaign.

Yesterday evening, some members of our Executive Board met with SWC members to share our experience with forming a new local union, and also discussed different ways we could collaborate, including having regular meetings between our units, and possibly forming a joint Local in the future based on what our membership decides. To start things off, we hope to  organize a joint town hall meeting around mid-February about the policy recommendation that the university-wide anti-bullying committee has been working on. Keep an eye on your inbox for a final date!

If you have any additional suggestions, questions or comments don’t hesitate to reach out.

CORRECTION CPW-UAW 4100 Elections Timeline – At the opening of the nomination email we sent last Friday there was a mistake regarding the deadline for candidates to send their statements. Candidates must send statements with their acceptance of nomination, by 2/18 the latest. Click here to see the corrected timeline on our website.

In Solidarity, 

CPW-UAW Elections Committee

P.S. – To stay informed about our union, make sure to check our website columbiapostdocunion.org, and follow us on Slack, Twitter and Facebook!

January 28, 2022

Nominations are hereby declared open on January 28, 2022 for the CPW-UAW Steward [10 positions], Recording Secretary and Guide in the Executive Board [2 position]:

Stewards (10 positions):

• Click here to see the open positions per district.

Executive Board (2 position):

• Recording Secretary
• Guide

All eligible unit members who have signed a CPW-UAW membership card are automatically nominated for the Recording Secretary and Guide positions and the steward position in their district. 

Membership Eligibility Description (per the bylaws): 

Membership in this Local Union shall be extended to all employees who have at any time been under titles that come under the jurisdiction of this Local Union. Membership shall be defined as members in good standing as defined in the International Constitution. 

CPW-UAW has 27 steward positions, broken up into districts. For this election there are 10 open steward positions and two open executive board positions. Each district is a campus, building/s, or lab where postdoctoral academic workers are working. For every 75 workers in a district, one steward will be elected. To learn more about the responsibilities of the stewards, visit the UAW constitution (Article 45) and our Local Bylaws (Article 10). 

Any eligible member in good standing who wishes to accept the nomination for one of the Executive board or steward positions in their district must indicate their intention, in writing, including the position they wish to run for. You can only run for one position. The acceptance of your nomination in writing must be submitted no later than February 18th at 11:59pm EST. Submit your acceptance to the CPW-UAW Elections committee by emailing cpwuawelections@gmail.com. If you have questions about which district you belong to, please reach out to the Elections committee at cpwuawelections@gmail.com. 

Steward District Map 

Click here to view the District Map, which shows the breakdown of the number of stewards per Steward District. 

Recording Secretary and Guide on the Executive Board

The Executive Board positions are elected for a term expiring in March 2025. Officers are allowed to vacate their positions before the end of their terms, in which case the Elections Committee would hold a vacancy election. Click here to read more about the responsibilities of the Executive Board Officer positions.

Candidate Statements (Optional)

Each candidate may write and submit a candidate statement of no more than 250 words. These statements will be posted on the CPW-UAW website if there are contested elections. Your mailing address, phone number, and personal email address must be included, but will not be counted toward the 250 words. 

It is the responsibility of the candidate to submit the candidate statement, if they choose to have one. All candidate statements must be received by the time nominations close on February 25th at 11:59pm EST.

Candidates Meeting 

Following the close of nominations, all candidates in contested districts will meet with the Elections Committee via Zoom. This meeting will determine the order of names on the ballot and the method of mass communications, and address other concerns any candidate may have. This meeting will take place following the close of nominations, but before ballots are sent to members. 

Election Dates, Times and Locations

In the event that the number of eligible candidates who accept nomination for the specified position do not exceed the number of vacant positions, such candidates will be deemed elected by acclamation and no election will be held. 

If there are contested positions, elections will take place online from March 7th to March 11th. If you are a member of the union, you will receive a ballot in your email and text messages once voting begins. If you wish to participate, you will need to sign a membership card and join the union. 

Election Location: Online

Election Start Date: Monday, March 7th at 9:00am EST

Election End Date: Friday, March 11th at 11:59pm EST

A runoff election, if necessary, will be held at a future date. The details will be announced if necessary. 

In Solidarity, 

CPW-UAW Elections Committee

Happy new year!! Remember that next Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. day, a holiday recognized by our contract (Art. 11, Holidays). If you have to work you can request an alternate day off. 

Our January membership meeting will take place next Thursday, 01/20/22 at 6:30pm. 

Click here to RSVP for the Membership Meeting.

Topics proposed for our next membership meeting: 

• Discussion and vote on our membership meeting schedule through May – proposal: third Thursday of the month at 6:30pm

Bring your suggestions and thoughts or reply to this email if you can’t attend.

• Discussion about the Student Workers of Columbia Tentative Agreement.
• Elections Committee timeline proposal for upcoming elections for Executive Board and stewards positions opened in our Local.
• Report from the university-wide committee discussing policy to address bullying and power based harassment.
• Our monthly Finances and Executive Board reports. 

And bring any other suggestions!  

Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions, suggestions or thoughts, 

In solidarity,

CPW-UAW Local 4100 Executive Board

P.S. – To stay informed about our union, make sure to follow us on Slack, Twitter and Facebook!

Happy Holidays! As the year comes to a close, we wanted to share some important information on your right to paid time-off under our contract, as well as some updates on our Union. 

In this email:

• Contract Rights: Holidays and Vacation Days
• UC Student Researchers Win Union Recognition
• Student Workers of Columbia Strike and Virtual Rally (12/23)
• UAW Referendum Results
• New Voting Rights for NYC International Workers

Contract Rights: Holidays and Vacation Days

As the holidays approach, keep in mind that you have a right to paid holidays and vacation days, as per our contract (Article 11). This year, you are entitled to four holiday days on Christmas Eve (December 24), December 27, New Year’s Eve (December 31) and January 3, in addition to personal days (2 at CUMC and 3 at Morningside).

All researchers also earn 2 days of paid vacation per month of employment, up to 23 days (28 days after 20 years of employment). Vacation days earned remain valid up to June 30 of the year following the year in which they were earned. If you are in any way being refused this vacation time or discouraged from taking days off, please fill out this Workplace Issue Form or reach out at columbiapostdocunion@gmail.com so that we can help you enforce your rights under our contract.

UC Student Researchers Win Union Recognition

On December 8th, 17,000 unionized graduate student researchers at the University of California won recognition for their union, Student Researchers United-UAW, becoming the biggest new group of workers to unionize this year and the biggest ever in higher education. Their win comes after majority strike authorization votes by both our student researcher and postdoctoral colleagues at UC (who are currently in contract negotiations.) Check out this article on how they won, and this recent event they held with AOC on how unionization can improve academic working conditions.

Student Workers of Columbia Strike Enters 8th Week

As our colleagues in SWC-UAW enter their 8th week on strike for a fair contract, we are proud that our Union voted at our December membership meeting to donate $1,000 to their strike fund. You can find other ways to support our student worker colleagues in our solidarity statement here. 

Student workers will hold a Digital Rally to increase pressure on Columbia to reach an agreement, this Thursday, 12/23 at 1pm, along with community, labor, and elected allies. Click here to RSVP for the Digital Rally.

UAW Referendum Results

The results from the recent national UAW Referendum are in, with 36.3% supporting the continuation of the delegate voting system to elect members of the International Executive Board (IEB) and 63.7% supporting switching to a direct voting system. This means that moving forward, all UAW members, including all members of CPW-UAW, will be able to vote directly for UAW national leadership.

New Voting Rights for NYC International Workers

On December 9, the New York City Council approved legislation that would allow eligible noncitizens to vote in municipal elections beginning in January 2023. This expansion of voting rights to almost 100,000 eligible New Yorkers (including green card holders, DACA holders, and noncitizens authorized to work in the country) will make NYC the largest jurisdiction in the country to allow noncitizen voting. This win for workers is the result of organizing and advocacy by many labor groups, including UAW Region 9A, of which we are proud to be a part.

Inform the Priorities of Our Union!

In 2021, we worked hard to enforce and expand the many rights and protections that we won in our first contract, and in 2022 we will likely begin preparations to negotiate our second contract in 2022. If you have not already, take a minute to complete this survey of your priorities for 2022.

In solidarity,

CPW-UAW Local 4100 Executive Board

P.S. – To stay informed about our union, make sure to follow us on Slack, Twitter and Facebook!

As voted at our October meeting, our December 2021 membership meeting will take place next Monday, 12/13/21 at 6:30pm. 

Click here to RSVP for the Membership Meeting.

Topics proposed for our next membership meeting: 

• Issues affecting Postdocs and ARSs at Columbia: Discussion on lost retirement contributions and other workplace issues.
• Report from the university-wide committee discussing policy to address bullying and power based harassment.
• Update of the Student Workers of Columbia-UAW strike.
• NYC news! Legislation for municipal voting rights.
• Our monthly Finances and Executive Board reports. 
• And bring any other suggestions! 

If you haven’t already, please take a moment to add your name to our Open Letter against power-based harassment.

Student Workers of Columbia day of action – Tomorrow, Wednesday 12/08

Our colleagues at SWC are in their 5th week of strike. Tomorrow, Wednesday December 8, they are organizing a full day of action. Instead of focusing on reaching a fair contract as swiftly as possible, Columbia’s administration is threatening their jobs for the next semester. Join the picket line from 8am to 6pm, at 116th street and Broadway to show our solidarity. 

SWC is inviting supporters at any point during the day, but particularly at three peak times: 9:00AM, 12:30PM, 4PM. 

Their victory is our victory for a more fair, equal and inclusive Columbia! Read our Solidarity Statement which includes additional ways for you to show your support.  

Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions, suggestions or thoughts.

In solidarity,

CPW-UAW Local 4100 Executive Board

P.S. – To stay informed about our union, make sure to follow us on Slack, Twitter and Facebook!

Reminder about the upcoming Thanksgiving break, two holiday days recognized by our contract (Art. 11). If you have to work either Thursday or Friday remember that you can request an alternate day off. 

Support Student Workers of Columbia (SWC) on strike

Our teaching and research assistant colleagues in the Student Workers of Columbia-UAW are rounding up their third week of strike. After hearing a report from one of their Bargaining Committee members at our November meeting we want to reiterate we stand in solidarity with SWC. Read our Statement of support which includes ways for you to show your support.  

FINAL REMINDER!! UAW referendum on how to elect International Leadership

Ballots for the UAW national referendum on how to elect our International Leadership (the International Executive Board, IEB) have been mailed. This referendum could have a profound impact on our union going forward, don’t forget to cast your vote! 

Ballots must be received (not postmarked) by 10am Eastern Time on November 29, in just one week from today! 

If you or any of your colleagues are missing a ballot, please contact the election vendor immediately at UAWBallot@merrimanriver.com or 855-433-8683 to request one. Once you get it, you should mail it back in immediately. Get more information here. 

In solidarity,

CPW-UAW Local 4100 Executive Board

P.S. – To stay informed about our union, make sure to follow us on Slack, Twitter and Facebook!

Reminder, as voted at our October meeting, our November 2021 membership meeting will take place this Thursday, 11/18/21 at 6:30pm. 

Click here to RSVP for the Membership Meeting.

Topics proposed for our next membership meeting: 

• Meet our new staff organizer!
• Issues affecting Postdocs and ARSs at Columbia: Discussion on lost retirement contributions and other workplace issues.
• Update from our teaching and research assistant colleagues in the Student Workers of Columbia-UAW who are on strike.
• Report from the university-wide committee discussing policy to address bullying and power based harassment.
• Our monthly Finances and Executive Board reports. 
• And bring any other suggestions! 

If you haven’t already, please take a moment to add your name to our Open Letter against power-based harassment.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or thoughts,

CPW-UAW Local 4100 Executive Board

P.S. – To stay informed about our union, make sure to follow us on Slack, Twitter and Facebook!

As voted at our October meeting, our November 2021 membership meeting will take place next Thursday, 11/18/21 at 6:30pm. 

Click here to RSVP for the Membership Meeting.

Topics proposed for our next membership meeting: 

• Meet our new staff organizer!
• Issues affecting Postdocs and ARSs at Columbia: Discussion on lost retirement contributions and other workplace issues.
• Update from our teaching and research assistant colleagues in the Student Workers of Columbia-UAW who are on strike.
• Report from the university-wide committee discussing policy to address bullying and power based harassment.
• Our monthly Finances and Executive Board reports. 
• And bring any other suggestions! 

If you haven’t already, please take a moment to add your name to our Open Letter against power-based harassment.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or thoughts,

CPW-UAW Local 4100 Executive Board

P.S. – To stay informed about our union, make sure to follow us on Slack, Twitter and Facebook!

We will be at our union table tomorrow at Morningside campus, Tuesday 11/09 from 4pm to 6pm in front of Low Library.

Swing by for some food, tea or coffee, and share your priorities for our Union, and get an update on our campaign for protections against workplace bullying (and pick up a CPW-UAW T-shirt and/or a button!)

Support Student Workers of Columbia (SWC) on strike

Our teaching and research assistant colleagues in the Student Workers of Columbia-UAW are entering their second week of strike. Show our support! 

• Attend a picket line! Full schedule here

 RSVP to join us this Thursday at noon at the rally at CUMC 

• Tweet in support of SWC strike, tagging @SW_Columbia
• If you teach any courses that SWC members are TAs for, commit to not replacing their labor.

In solidarity,

CPW-UAW Local 4100 Executive Board

P.S. – To stay informed about our union, make sure to follow us on Slack, Twitter and Facebook!

Remember that today is Election Day, a holiday recognized on our contract. As established in (Art. 11 Section 1), if you have to work tomorrow you can ask for an alternative day off. 

In addition we want to send a reminder about some events this week: 

• RSVP for the meeting on Wednesday 11/03 to discuss policy recommendations for the anti-bullying committee
• Union tables this Thursday (CUMC) and Tuesday (Morningside) – swing by for some food, tea or coffee, meet other Postdocs and ARSs and get an update on our union.
• Support Columbia graduate workers union, SWC, in their negotiations – strike deadline this Wednesday
• Reminder about UAW referendum on method to elect our International leadership – click here for more details.

University-wide anti-bullying working group

The University-wide anti-bullying working group has been meeting weekly to generate a policy recommendation that (i) defines bullying behaviors and (ii) develops processes to address complaints of bullying. So far, the committee has focused mainly on the definition of bullying. In the upcoming weeks, the committee will start to develop processes for addressing complaints.  

We are having a general meeting for union members to discuss the progress so far and get feedback on all aspects of the policy recommendation. 

Please RSVP to join our meeting Wednesday 11/03 at 6pm.

To facilitate discussion, we will share the draft policy document that the committee is working on before the meeting.

Union tables – this Thursday and next Tuesday

We are organizing a couple of tables on campus for Postdocs and ARSs to meet each other, talk about our union and provide information about all current activities.

• CUMC campus – on Thursday November 4th, from 12pm to 2pm in Haven Plaza.
• Morningside campus – on Tuesday November 9th from 4pm to 6pm in front of Low Library.

Swing by for some food, tea or coffee, and share your priorities for our Union, and get an update on our campaign for protections against workplace bullying (and pick up a CPW-UAW T-shirt and/or a button!)

Student Workers at Columbia, SWC – Strike for a fair contract!

Tomorrow, Wednesday November 3rd, is the strike deadline of our teaching and research assistant colleagues in the Student Workers of Columbia-UAW. They will be picketing  at the Morningside Campus from 10-2pm followed by a rally at 2pm. Check the schedule for the week here. Join to show our support!

In solidarity,

CPW-UAW Local 4100 Executive Board

P.S. – To stay informed about our union, make sure to follow us on Slack, Twitter and Facebook!