RSVP to observe an upcoming bargaining session with the Sinai administration!
Last Friday, we had our fifth bargaining session. Previously, we had proposed a package of 3 articles that matched what Sinai agreed to more than two years ago with unionized postdocs. Unfortunately, on Friday, Sinai rejected our package and instead made proposals that went far below this standard and seemed intended to undermine rights and protections for all unionized researchers at Sinai.
After Sinai presented their proposals on Health and Safety and Employment Records, our team asked for clarification on several concerning changes. In Health and Safety, Sinai removed language stating that researchers cannot be required to work in unsafe conditions, as well as language protecting the safety of a worker’s unborn child. This language has been in the postdoc contract for years without any issues. On Employment Records, Sinai rejected researchers’ right to access their complete employment files, so that they could examine and copy them, as well as request any necessary corrections. When we asked why they were weakening such basic rights, Sinai claimed that they were unnecessary and burdensome, at one point saying they did not want to “burden the contract with all these details”.
We also asked questions about previous counters. On Workload, we asked why Sinai removed basic standards such as reasonable work schedules, protections for part-time arrangements, and language emphasizing that work should be driven by research needs rather than hours. On Workspace and Materials, we asked why Sinai is refusing to guarantee that they will provide all necessary workspace and materials. On Job Posting, we asked why Sinai is eliminating standards for what information must be included in postings. For the most part, Sinai’s claimed that this language was unnecessary, and expressed unwillingness to have these topics be legally enforceable in our contract.
Because Sinai refused to meet with each unit for more than an hour, we ran out of time and were not able to finish asking questions about Sinai’s proposals. It is clear that more time at the table will be necessary to make progress. Our next scheduled meetings with the Sinai administration will be on Wednesday, February 11, from 8-11am. Click here to attend an upcoming session.
After Friday’s session, it was clear that the Sinai administration does not understand the urgency of these issues for senior researchers. If you would like to get involved in making sure Sinai approaches these negotiations with greater urgency in the future, click here.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or thoughts.
In solidarity,
Ting-Jiun Chen
Assistant Scientist, Neuroscience
ROCS-UAW Bargaining Committee