The Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (ARDEIA) Working group is back in full force and would like to inform our members about our most recent initiatives. Although we celebrate diversity all year round, June is special as it is Pride month. It is a time to reflect on the strides and achievements the LGBTQAI2S+ community has made, but it is also a moment to demand and reclaim freedom and liberation for queer folks. 

  • This year there is a special focus on attacks on transgender rights by conservative legislators across the country, but also on reproductive rights and bodily autonomy by the Supreme Court. That is why our local encourages our members to participate in the Queer Liberation March, Sunday June 26th at 2pm. If you´re interested in coming together for the march (NOTE: this is not a contingent) please sign up here. Mark your calendars!
  • We would also like to remind you all that June 19th, Juneteenth, has been deemed a federal holiday as we commemorate the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans. If you are not able to observe this holiday and need to work during Monday June 20th, you can request an alternate day off as per our contract.
  • Finally, we will follow up in the next month about the plan we have been developing in order to gather feedback from our members on how to make Columbia a more inclusive, equitable and accessible workplace for postdocs and ARSs by enforcing progressive and inclusive contract language. Stay tuned! 

Upcoming contractual salary raises

According to our contract, all postdocs and Associate researchers should receive at least a 2.5% salary raise –  on July 1st for those located in CUIMC and upon reappointment if located in other campuses. Several members have alerted us that their respective departments are misinforming them AGAIN, denying higher raises on the basis that the union contract would prohibit them. This is incorrect: the 2.5% increase is a minimum raise, as clearly specified in Art. 5 Section 2 of our contract. Your department and PI can freely raise your salary to any amount above the 2.5% increase. 

We have reached out to the administration demanding that they clarify this with all relevant offices but if you encounter any problems with your department HR and/or PI please let us know as soon as possible. 

Hope to see you at Pride!

In Solidarity,

CPW-UAW Executive Committee

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