Bargaining Continues with SENS-UAW Local 7902, Academic Student Workers
A Message from Sonya Williams, Vice President for Human Resources
Bargaining teams from SENS-UAW Local 7902 and The New School met again today to negotiate a renewal contract for our Academic Student Workers. We are continuing to make progress together on an agreement.
The university’s most recent economic offer includes:
- Significantly increased wages ranging between $2.75 and $6.65 per hour, depending on the position, in year one of the contract;
- A full tuition waiver for PhD students holding ASW positions;
- Ratification bonus of $500; and
- Enhanced healthcare subsidies, among other benefits.
Following a productive session on Friday, we made movement on a number of items in response to the union’s feedback and believe we are now very close to agreement on nearly all non-economic parts of the contract. Much of our ongoing discussions are now focused on the economic aspects of an agreement.
We do not believe that a strike is necessary given the progress we have made at the last few bargaining sessions. The union declined to put off their potential strike on Wednesday pending our progress on Tuesday and declined to bring in a neutral mediator to help advance discussions and reach an agreement at this time.
In case SENS-UAW ultimately decides to strike, the university has plans in place to minimize disruptions for our students. We will share more information about these plans tomorrow, should it become necessary. We are committed to reaching an agreement and hope to build on our recent progress in tomorrow’s bargaining session.
We will continue to update the community.