Bargaining Session: February 25, 2019

On February 25, 2019, representatives of the University attended two separate, first bargaining sessions: in the morning with a union committee that represents post-docs and ARSs; in the afternoon with the union committee that represents graduate student assistants.

Each committee presented a comprehensive, conceptual list of subjects that it seeks to bargain over, with the understanding that specific proposals would be forthcoming.

Columbia’s spokesperson stated that the University would discuss and consider whatever proposals the union committees bring to the table, and that its principal concern is to ensure that the principles of the Framework Agreement are embodied in the collective bargaining agreements that result from these negotiations so as to minimize the likelihood of future dispute as to their meaning.

The University representatives emphasized that – even in simpler, more traditional circumstances - arriving at a first collective bargaining agreement is complicated and time consuming, but that the University’s bargaining committees are prepared to do the work necessary to accomplish that as expeditiously as possible given the number of people involved and the scheduling issues that result.

The University and the Union are in the process of agreeing to a large number of dates for each group during the next several months.