We Are Weill Cornell Medicine Postdocs United
WCMPU-UAW is an organization by, of, and for Weill Cornell Medicine Postdocs who want to unionize in order to improve our research and employment experience at Cornell. Our work not only benefits the College and the economy, but also has positive impacts worldwide through groundbreaking medical research. We work in many different fields and have varied experiences, but our dedication to research unites us all.
Fernanda Subtil
Postdoctoral Associate
Medicine
I moved to the U.S. as a postdoctoral researcher in 2022 because of the respect American institutions have world-wide. However, the lack of better opportunities and rights for postdocs has led to a trend of talented researchers moving away from academia. The massive gap in work-life balance and benefits between an academic career and industry in the US is staggering. I believe that having a union will provide more power to negotiate for a fair contract with the institution. When our efforts come to fruition, we would have contributed more to the scientific community than any paper could ever do in my opinion – as we would have provided a more attractive position so that young scientists can continue choosing academia.
Juan Rodríguez Alcázar
Postdoctoral Associate
Pediatrics
As a foreigner young scientist, I came to Weill Cornell Medicine with the ambition to do great science and contribute to the scientific community. However, I’ve come to realize that the conditions in which postdocs work here make it challenging to achieve these goals fully. The low pay, high cost of living, visa uncertainty, and other factors can hinder our ability to focus on our research and achieve groundbreaking scientific discoveries. Therefore, I support the formation of a union at this institution to advocate for policies that improve postdoc working conditions, allowing us to concentrate on our research and achieve our full potential.
Sahar Jalal
Postdoctoral Associate
Radiology
As the Weill Cornell Medicine PDA co-president co-founder of the anti-discrimination committee, I have experienced first-hand both the positive changes a university-sponsored postdoc organization can make, as well as the limits of our advocacy without the ability to bargain collectively with the Cornell administration. With a union, Cornell would have a legal obligation to negotiate with us over critical issues such as childcare, salaries, immigration, and a more inclusive environment for women and underrepresented folks in STEM, all of which directly affect our working conditions and well-being. I believe that now is the time to develop a long-term solution where the postdoc community has an equal say and greater agency in these and other areas.