On Monday, senior researchers from across campus delivered an open letter to the Sinai administration, informing them that 80% of us support forming our union
On Monday, we delivered an Open Letter to Dean Charney signed by researchers from across Mount Sinai. Our letter informed the administration that more than 80% of senior researchers have signed up in support of forming our union. It also requested that the administration let us know their availability to meet with us by February 24th so we can discuss a framework for a fair, efficient voting process to verify our majority support, and urged the administration to remain neutral.
Our next step is to file with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for an official election to vote on forming our union. Once a majority of senior researchers vote ‘yes’ we will elect a bargaining committee, democratically establish our priorities, and begin negotiations with Sinai for a strong first contract.
At a moment when the scientific enterprise is under attack, it’s even more important that we have a real say in our working conditions, the security of a union contract, and a bigger voice alongside other researchers to advocate for our collective interests at the national level. Check out some ways other UAW academic researchers are fighting back and how you can participate:
-
Today (Thursday), 2/13, join a national strategy call on the federal attack on higher education and how we are fighting back. We will hear from affected workers and map out next steps for challenging federal overreach in our communities.
-
Next Wednesday, 2/19, Academic workers across the country are holding a National Day of Action to put pressure on our elected representatives to oppose Trump’s attacks on higher education. In NYC, join postdocs from Sinai, Columbia, and other research institutions (UAW Local 4100) at 4pm at Washington Square Park.
-
Last Monday, 2/10 academic researchers at the University of California (UAW Local 4811) held a webinar about science funding, the NIH indirect cost rate, and the threats to research from the Trump administration. Watch the recording of the webinar here.
Academic workers in the UAW, including postdocs here at Sinai, have played a significant role in improving research working conditions across the country. We hope that Sinai will choose to refrain from any efforts to delay the process or discourage researchers from pursuing a union. We will be sure to keep you updated as the process moves forward.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions.
In solidarity,
Samir Rahman
Associate Scientist, Department of Psychiatry
ROCS-UAW Organizing Committee