On Friday, January 9, the University and the Student Workers of Columbia union (SWC) met for the fourth time, in-person at Interchurch Center, to negotiate the terms of a successor contract. SWC brought approximately 35 people to the session, including bargaining committee members and observers. While this exchange was more substantive than past sessions, the union continues to press issues not covered by the collective bargaining agreement and to make economic demands that are far out of line with benefits available to other union and non-union Columbia employees and student employees at other universities. The parties remain far apart on virtually all issues.
During the session, the University provided counterproposals on Child Care and Benefits, including provisions to extend and increase the Support Funds, which provide reimbursement for out-of-pocket health expenses incurred by student employees and their dependents, for the current academic year and future years of a contract. For its part, the union put forward counterproposals to the University’s proposals on Grievance and Arbitration and Holidays. The parties discussed each of these topics, as well as the University’s announced commitment to provide and increase the Support Funds for the 2025-2026 academic year while contract negotiations continue. The union also provided a new proposal for extensive revisions to the Non-Discrimination article for discussion at a future bargaining session.
The parties met for the full scheduled time and, as previously agreed, will next meet on Friday, January 23, at Interchurch. The session concluded with SWC agreeing to additional in-person bargaining sessions on February 11 and 27 at Interchurch.
The University remains committed to negotiating a fair, competitive, and sustainable agreement with SWC that benefits all of our student employees and the entire Columbia community.
