Update on the Latest Bargaining Session with SENS-UAW Local 7902, Academic Student Workers
A Message from Sonya Williams, Vice President for Human Resources
On Friday, the university bargaining team met with SENS-UAW Local 7902, the union representing our Academic Student Workers.
We came to the table prepared to provide responses to several proposals put forth by the union and presented two proposals in writing—Intellectual Property and Meeting Space—in the hopes of reaching agreement on these issues. In addition, Shondrika Merritt, Associate Provost for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, joined the session.
We reiterated the university’s commitment to providing a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community, as evidenced by the robust policies and procedures already in place that ensure protection from bullying, discrimination, and sexual harassment. The union had expressed concerns about our proposal on this issue, and we have asked the union to translate those concerns into a proposal which reflects their members’ concerns and needs.
The university was prepared to provide more responses to the union’s earlier proposals on Management and Academic Rights, Academic Student Worker Rights and Responsibilities, Hiring and Onboarding, and Discipline and Discharge. The union presented proposals on healthcare, the University Fees waiver, and a professional development fund. The university will consider these proposals carefully and respond. However, we are still waiting for the union to provide their own comprehensive economics counter, including wages, in response to our July 17th initial offer, which includes a 29% pay increase for all Academic Student Workers over the life of the contract, among other enhanced benefits.
It is our goal and hope that we can reach an agreement with the SENS bargaining committee sooner rather than later. In order to do that, we again offered a number of dates to meet with the union and have asked to have the sessions go longer than two hours. We are waiting to hear back on their availability and willingness to increase the bargaining session time.
‌We will continue to keep the community informed. You can stay updated by visiting our Union Negotiations page, signing up for email updates here, and by following @KnowourNewSchool on Instagram and Twitter/X.