{"id":7088,"date":"2023-10-01T21:30:21","date_gmt":"2023-10-02T01:30:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/columbiapostdocunion.org\/?page_id=7088"},"modified":"2023-10-23T11:40:37","modified_gmt":"2023-10-23T15:40:37","slug":"strike-faq","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/columbiapostdocunion.org\/strike-faq\/","title":{"rendered":"Strike Frequently Asked Questions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This page is a living document which will add new information as it becomes available\u00a0and\u00a0necessary. If you have any questions that you don’t see answered below please send us an email at postdocunion@uaw4100.org<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS RAISED BY COLUMBIA ADMISNITRATION<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n[vc_row][vc_column]
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WHY A STRIKE NOW?<\/h4>
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  1. \n\t\t\t\t\t\tWhere and when would a strike take place?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
  2. \n\t\t\t\t\t\tWhy consider a strike now? And what is the status of bargaining?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
  3. \n\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat are our demands?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
  4. \n\t\t\t\t\t\tWhen and how was the strike authorized?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/ol>

    PREPARING FOR A STRIKE<\/h4>
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    1. \n\t\t\t\t\t\tIf we strike, what should I communicate to my PI?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    2. \n\t\t\t\t\t\tIf we strike, what should I tell my collaborators, both internal and external, to Columbia?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    3. \n\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat should I do with my live test subjects during a strike?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    4. \n\t\t\t\t\t\tAs a Postdoc\/ARS I have some teaching responsibilities in addition to my research, am I supposed to stop teaching as well during strike?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    5. \n\t\t\t\t\t\tI\u2019m not a Postdoc\/ARS, how can I help with a potential strike?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/ol>

      WHAT DOES A STRIKE OF POSTDOCS\/ARSs LOOK LIKE?<\/h4>
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      1. \n\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat will the strike look like? and how long would it last?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
      2. \n\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat do I do instead of work if we go on strike?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
      3. \n\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat makes a strike effective?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
      4. \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0What is a picket line?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
      5. \n\t\t\t\t\t\tHow would Postdocs and ARSs outside of the NYC area participate?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
      6. \n\t\t\t\t\t\tCan I use vacation or personal time off during the strike?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/ol>

        IS A STRIKE THE BEST NEXT STEP?<\/h4>
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        1. \n\t\t\t\t\t\tWill the University care if we go on strike?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
        2. \n\t\t\t\t\t\tIsn\u2019t going on strike only hurting ourselves because our research would suffer?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
        3. \n\t\t\t\t\t\tIf we strike, would we have support from the broader community?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
        4. \n\t\t\t\t\t\tHow have strikes impacted other postdoc\/ARSs contract negotiations?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
        5. \n\t\t\t\t\t\tIf we strike, will advance notice be provided?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/ol>

          WHAT CAN BE THE CONSEQUENCES OF GOING INTO STRIKE?<\/h4>
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          1. \n\t\t\t\t\t\tDo I have the legal right to participate in a strike?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
          2. \n\t\t\t\t\t\tAm I allowed to strike if I am an international worker?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
          3. \n\t\t\t\t\t\tCan the Union penalize CPW-UAW Local 4100 members who return and perform their appointment duties during the strike?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
          4. \n\t\t\t\t\t\tCan the University hire replacements for the postdocs\/ARSs who strike?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
          5. \n\t\t\t\t\t\tWill I be paid while I am on strike?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
          6. \n\t\t\t\t\t\tCan Columbia withhold my healthcare benefits if I\u2019m on strike?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
          7. \n\t\t\t\t\t\tAm I eligible for strike benefits if I\u2019m an international worker?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
          8. \n\t\t\t\t\t\tWill the University ask me to attest whether I am working or not?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
          9. \n\t\t\t\t\t\tHow do I access strike benefits?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
          10. \n\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat do I need to do to qualify for strike pay in the event of a strike?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
          11. \n\t\t\t\t\t\tIs there any protection against post-strike retaliation for postdocs and ARSs who participate in a Strike?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
          12. \n\t\t\t\t\t\tCan Postdocs\/ARSs return to their appointment duties after first participating in the strike and then change their mind?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
          13. \n\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat if Postdocs\/ARSs want to perform appointment duties, but are blocked or confronted by picketers or individuals on strike?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
          14. \n\t\t\t\t\t\tCan the University restrict or discontinue access to computer systems and card swipe access for individuals engaged in a strike?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/ol><\/div>\t\t
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            \n\t\t\t\t\t<\/i> Where and when would a strike take place?\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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            Postdocs and associate researchers will collectively decide when to request the Bargaining Committee to set a strike deadline. This means that if the University does not progress in bargaining and cease its unlawful behavior by then, then the bargaining team will declare a strike. It will last until the University corrects its bad faith conduct, until we have a viable contract or until union membership decides to cease striking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Reach out to postdocunion@uaw4100.org<\/a> if you\u2019d like to get involved in organizing for mass participation!<\/p>\n
            <\/i> Back to Index<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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            \n\t\t\t\t\t<\/i> Why consider a strike now? And what is the status of bargaining?\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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            During many months of bargaining, we have made strong proposals<\/a> to guarantee dignified compensation and equity in the workplace, but progress is being thwarted by the Columbia administration’s unlawful conduct and lack of engagement in our contract negotiations.\u00a0We have had over 20 bargaining sessions where we have negotiated in good faith and made many concessions. Admin moved slowly and made it clear from the beginning that they did not want to make too many changes to our contract. Then after the contract expired on June 30, Columbia blocked any salary raises, despite CPW making it very clear (including by providing a legal memo) that our contract allows individual postdocs\/ARSs to agree to negotiation raises over than those stated in the contract (for which we filed grievances and Unfair Labor Practices, see below). Therefore trying to rush us into agreeing to a contract on their terms without making improvements in any of the crucial items that our members identify (see FAQ number 3). Even after the dozens of hours spent making our case to the administration <\/p>\n\n\n\n

            where we showed countless pieces of evidence, surveys, and testimonials from our members, while not denying there are funds available they continue to claim they can not offer more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

            During the 20th session, Admin requested mediation, and we have agreed to conduct mediated sessions since then. You can read the articles and Side Letters that we\u2019ve reached agreement on and the remaining topics that we\u2019re still bargaining here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Furthermore, as a legally recognized union, Columbia University is legally bound to bargain and interact with the union in fair ways, as defined by the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). Despite this the university has committed several Unfair Labor Practices (ULPs)  – meaning actions that violate the NLRA – such that we have had to file formal complaints (details here<\/a>):<\/p>\n\n\n\n