There is a lot happening in our Local Union. Here are some quick updates and ways to get involved:
- Advocacy for the US government to help developing countries with COVID-19 Treatments & Vaccines
- Discussion about Timesheet tracking of Vacation and Paid Time Off
- Discussion about austerity cuts to Retirement Benefits of Columbia workers
- Anti-bullying working group
- Date for our May membership meeting
- Job offer to work for our Local
National Campaigns
Members of our union at Columbia have started discussing ways to advocate for the US government to provide support to India during its current COVID-19 crisis, and other countries with the COVID-19 vaccine efforts. We have published this statement supporting the temporary waiver of IP policies to ensure every country can produce COVID-19 vaccines until the pandemic is under control. In addition, we are coordinating with other UAW Academic Locals to continue campaigning on this issue, and for the US government to join the other 58 countries that have already agreed to the TRIPS waiver. If you are interested in being part of this conversation, please email to columbiapostdocunion@gmail.com.
Workplace Issues:
Members have also been discussing how to improve the new vacation/paid time off tracking requirements implemented by Columbia after we won our contract. While it is important that Columbia ensures that each of us has the paid time off we deserve under our contract, these requirements should not be burdensome for researchers. In addition, we want to begin a conversation about how Columbia’s cuts to retirement, an austerity measure implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, are affecting us and what we can do about it. If you want to participate in any of these discussions, please email to columbiapostdocunion@gmail.com.
Next Wednesday May 12 at 6:30pm we want to meet to discuss next steps for our upcoming committee with the administration regarding new policy against workplace bullying. If you are interested in attending please RSVP here.
Building our Local
Mark your calendar for our next membership meeting on Monday, May 17 at 6:30pm. More details will be sent as the date approaches.
Finally, as approved at our special membership meeting on April 8th, the Executive Board has posted a job offering for an organizer in our Local. If you or someone you know would be interested in working as a full time organizer to build our Local Union, please check out the posting on our website for details and how to apply.
Strong majority membership will make our union even stronger and better-resourced, so that we can continue to campaign for improvements. If you would like to help out with our ongoing membership drive, click here.
Don’t hesitate to reach out if there are any questions, suggestions or comments.
In solidarity,
CPW-UAW Local 4100 Executive Board
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