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Bargaining Summary:
Unit Information: We brought forward another Unit Info proposal as a way of countering their BU FERPA proposal. At the core of our proposal is BUGWU having the ability to represent every worker’s needs. To do this, we need up-to-date information about who is in our union. This proposal ensures that BU provides us with information about who is in our union two weeks before the start of the semester. New hires will also be provided to the union within two weeks of the start each summer or summer term. BU’s FERPA proposal would make that more difficult so we hope that they consider our counter as a useful solution.
We also spent time asking them follow up questions on their Personnel Records counter to our proposal. We believe we are close to an agreement on this article in principle, since BU is required to follow minimal guidelines enshrined in state law - but believe that it should not take the University the entire period of our first contract to come into compliance with their legal obligations.
Finally, we had a frank discussion with BU’s bargaining team on how their counterproposals on compensation and benefits were received. We had over 200 members attending the bargaining session when BU introduced those counterproposals. Together we discussed their offers in a union-only caucus, and we asked ourselves to reflect on their offers – a 3% raise and a benefits article that largely keeps the status quo. None of us could seriously consider them. Since then we have discussed these economic proposals with coworkers who weren’t present and have heard a clear message – we need a contract that creates livable conditions for all graduate workers. Prior to Tuesday's bargaining session, BU had explicitly rejected the idea that graduate workers should be paid enough to live in the city where they work. We made it clear that their response has been inadequate and that we are prepared to fight for a contract that truly transforms our lives for the better.
Our Strike Authorization Vote:
Our SAV is now live! Learn more information on the SEIU 509 webpage. A strong Strike Authorization Vote with at least a majority of those voting in favor empowers our Bargaining Team to call for a strike. As was discussed in our last General Membership Meeting, the decision to actually begin a strike will be done with deep member engagement and democratic processes.
This is a serious decision we are not taking lightly. After eight months of bargaining with the administration, we have seen a troubling pattern in BU’s counterproposals – they are hardly different from the status quo and do very little to ensure that graduate workers have the supports and benefits to meet their material needs. Moreover, for months they have been committing an unfair labor practice by failing to provide the information we need in order to negotiate effectively. We formed our union to create meaningful improvements on compensation, benefits, international student rights, and more – not to codify current policies into a contract. And we cannot meaningfully bargain without the data we need to understand how different proposals will affect our lives.
Given the weight of this vote, we need everyone’s voice, input, and perspective. Please check out our SAV events that are taking place through this week and next. As always, if you are looking to get engaged and learn more in the meantime, reach out to a union representative or Bargaining Team member.
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