We had a frustrating bargaining session with WCM on Monday that demonstrates the need for a strong strike authorization vote, starting April 14.
WCM responded to our leaves of absence proposal from last session without making any substantive movement, continuing to refuse to offer paid parental leave to postdocs who have worked here less than three months, a more timely housing process, or paid time off for visa renewal.
We again asked WCM why they continue to refuse to offer paid time off for visa renewal, a benefit that is especially important now in light of the uncertainty that our community faces around immigration, and one that unionized postdocs at Mount Sinai have in their contract. WCM responded by claiming that postdocs might try to take paid leave indefinitely due to potentially longer processing times under the current presidential administration.
It was jarring to hear WCM focus single-mindedly on reducing how much leave we can take for visa processing that we are legally required to do, especially when so many of us are feeling a deep sense of anxiety and stress about our futures. We will continue fighting for reasonable support for necessary immigration procedures that are outside of our control.
WCM then suggested that if we were to move closer to the Sinai contract in areas like compensation, they might be more likely to agree to other provisions like paid time off for visa renewal.
In an effort to respond to this and make progress, we presented WCM with a “supposal”, asking how they would respond if we proposed matching Mount Sinai postdocs’ minimum salary as part of an overall agreement that would include the same basic rights and protections that are also in the Sinai contract. Disappointingly, in response to our supposal WCM immediately reasserted their desire for a force majeure article, which would allow them to unilaterally alter the terms of our employment even once we have a contract, including by slashing salary or firing us without cause.
We are fundamentally opposed to a force majeure clause that would undermine everything we’ve been fighting for over the past year. WCM is attempting to shift all the uncertainty and risk onto the postdoc community, and that is unacceptable.
We need to show WCM that we won’t stand for a contract that puts our communities at risk. We encourage everyone to vote YES to authorize a strike when the vote starts on April 14. If anyone has questions before then, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
In solidarity,
Luca Posa
WCMPU-UAW Bargaining Committee