Postdocs packed the bargaining room yesterday
Join the postdoc mass meeting tomorrow (10/16) at 12pm outside 1300 York!
Yesterday we held our 40th bargaining session with WCM, our first since they set a deadline of October 29th to agree to a contract or they will re-assert Force Majeure. More than 60 postdocs joined in person in a powerful display of unity.
At the beginning of the session, WCM re-asserted their most recent package with almost no changes. After a caucus, we countered by making significant movement towards WCM in an effort to reach a contract as quickly as possible.
This included moving to either WCM’s position or the status quo on most pending issues, including major priorities like rent caps, relocation assistance, parental and visa leaves, and vacation. At the moment, the issues that remain are crucial, including sufficient layoff notice (we are proposing 2 months while WCM is offering just 30 days), a fair trigger for layoffs (protecting against layoffs where appropriate funding exists), an emergency support fund (which could be used for childcare and housing expenses and improve equity at WCM), and backpay (retroactive salary increases to account for how long it has taken to reach an agreement).
Now, it will take all of us acting together to win the remaining protections and pay that we need and deserve. Join us outside 1300 York tomorrow (10/16) from 12-1pm to hear from postdocs about the stakes of this fight and discuss our next steps.
Let me know if you have any thoughts or questions, and see you tomorrow!
In solidarity,
Dagan Marx, postdoctoral associate in Biochemistry & Biophysics
On behalf of the WCMPU-UAW Bargaining Committee