• NYU Researchers United/Postdocs-UAW Bargaining Survey

  • I support NYURUP-UAW in bargaining collectively to reach a fair contract. This survey allows postdoctoral researchers to provide information about our priorities. Our elected bargaining committee will use the surveys to prepare a bargaining platform on which we will have the opportunity to ratify. After democratic approval of our bargaining platform, the bargaining committee can negotiate for the needs of all postdoctoral researchers. I understand that no one pays dues or fees until after a contract has been democratically approved by postdoctoral researchers.

  • Title

  • GENERAL QUESTIONS

  • What is the length of your current appointment?
  • Are you on a visa?
  • Have you resided in NYU housing?
  • Are you expecting additional dependents in the next year?
  • Have you utilized the CFC and/or Bright Horizons emergency care?
  • Do you have student loans?
  • Have you ever been on a fellowship?

  • Please rate the importance of including each right/protection in a contract for all postdoctoral researchers. 5 is most important, 1 is least important

  • JOB EXPECTATIONS

  • Job Descriptions and Notification: Require timely and transparent notification of information related to job descriptions (e.g. appointment length, duties, evaluation criteria, and compensation) and benefits (e.g. housing, insurance, childcare, retirement savings, etc.)
  • Job Security: Protections regarding unjust termination and arbitrary changes to contract length
  • Paid Time-Off/Leave: Increase paid time off, vacation time, holidays, leave for family, medical or other reasons; ensure roll-over of unused days
  • Workload: Ensure the right to address unreasonable workloads

  • PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  • Orientation and job training: Provide orientation, health/safety information, etc. for new hires
  • Mentorship standards: Ensure adequate mentorship from your supervisor
  • Teaching/mentorship and collaboration opportunities: Provide opportunities to teach, mentor students, and collaborate with others etc.
  • Career development/conference opportunities: Provide opportunities to further your career by attending conferences, seminars, courses, etc.

  • WORKING ENVIRONMENT

  • Accessibility: Increase accessibility and related services to accommodate all workers, including those with disabilities
  • Health and Safety: Ensure the right to address unsafe or unhealthy work environments
  • Space and Equipment: Ensure adequate space and materials necessary for work
  • Remote Work: Ensure access to necessary materials and support for remote assigned duties, including computers, software, cloud storage, etc.

  • WORKPLACE RIGHTS

  • Academic Rights: Establish clear intellectual property rights and agency over authorship
  • Grievance Procedure: Clarify procedures for resolving violations of workplace rights under the contract, including access to a neutral third-party arbitrator (e.g. ombudsperson)
  • Non-Discrimination, Harassment, and Abuse: Strengthen protections against all forms of discrimination, harassment, and abuse including power-based harassment and bullying
  • Appointment length: Increase appointment length
  • Visa and immigration support: Strengthen support for immigration-related issues (e.g. timeliness standards for visa assistance, increased choice in visa type, and access to right-to-employment verification letters, etc.)
  • Extended support for international scholars: Increases support for international researchers including guaranteed time off/financial support for visa-related delays, tax assistance, etc.
  • Freedom of speech and expression: Strengthen rights and protections around freedom of speech and expression on campus.

  • WAGES AND BENEFITS

  • In order to facilitate the bargaining process effectively, it is important that we decide not only which of the following economic items should be our bargaining goals, but also which of them should be our highest priorities. 5 is most important, 1 is least important

  • Childcare and Dependent Coverage

  • Guarantee and improve paid parental leave
  • Guarantee the pricing and quality of childcare
  • Increase transparency and access to decision-making processes involving childcare-related changes
  • Improve affordability of insurance coverage for dependents

  • Wages and Employment

  • Raise base salary and guarantee cost-of-living adjustments
  • Guarantee experience-based pay increases
  • Guarantee advance pay for work, training, and immigration-related expenses (e.g. visa renewals, conferences)

  • Health Benefits

  • Provide equal access to insurance coverage options between Associates and Fellows
  • Expand network coverage
  • Lower out-of-pocket costs (e.g. premiums, co-pays, etc.)
  • Provide improved vision and dental insurance
  • Provide improved mental health coverage
  • Provide improved family planning and fertility treatment coverage (e.g. free oocyte cryopreservation, increased adoption assistance, etc.)

  • Housing

  • Increased transparency regarding unit availability, waitlist, and pricing
  • Guarantee access to housing for the duration of appointments
  • Guarantee access to affordable, short-term emergency housing
  • Lower cost of housing (e.g. rent limits)
  • Capped rent increases proportional to salary increases
  • Guarantee equitable relocation financial assistance
  • Ensure non-legally recognized partners can also live in NYU housing
  • Increase support for off-campus housing (e.g. guarantor service, off-campus housing stipend, etc.)
  • Establish formal channels for housing grievances (e.g. timely repairs)

  • Other Benefits

  • Guarantee retirement benefits with combined employer- and self-contribution
  • Provide equal access to retirement benefits for both Associates & Fellows
  • Improve life insurance/accident/disability coverage
  • Improve and ensure financial assistance for student loan repayment
  • Provide access to free tax and retirement planning assistance
  • Transit support, including increased access to parking and MTA/Citibike subsidies
  • Should be Empty: