On Tuesday, July 28, the University and the Student Workers of Columbia union (SWC) met for an eighteenth bargaining session, in person at the Interchurch Center, to continue negotiating the terms of the union’s successor contract. While there was some continued movement, with the union accepting another provision from SWC’s initial agreement, several of the union’s new and outstanding proposals are inappropriate because they continue to address academic and operational matters inconsistent with the Framework Agreement and extend outside the bounds of compensation and the employment conditions that must be negotiated under labor law. The parties are still far apart on virtually all major elements of a labor contract.
During the session, the University presented revised counterproposals on Non-Discrimination, Union Activity/Access, and Tax Assistance. SWC put forward revised counterproposals on Union Activity/Access (which the union calls “Union Rights”) and Health and Safety, and revised proposals on Leaves of Absence and Surveillance and Monitoring. The union withdrew its prior proposal on Obligations Under International Law.
The union accepted the University’s proposed side letter on Transitional Funding, which was part of the previous agreement, and withdrew its prior proposal on that topic.
As previously agreed, the parties will meet again on August 10, in person at Interchurch. The parties each expressed a desire for further bargaining in August, and the University will identify additional available dates.
The University remains committed to reaching a fair, competitive, and sustainable agreement with SWC that benefits all of our student employees and the entire Columbia community.
