MIT Graduate Student Union

Session Updates

Bargaining Updates

 
 

  • Today was the first day of bargaining our union’s second contract, and we came to the table with proposals for a fair and secure workplace for all graduate workers. After coming together for a huge kickoff rally where we heard from powerful speakers on issues faced by fellows and international workers, we all walked over to drop off our Bargaining and Grievance Committee and member observers, a show of unity so powerful that it was commented on by MIT’s legal team. 

    At the table, we presented seven proposals grounded in the experiences of grad workers, demanding transparency and real protections. 

    First, we delivered over 1,600 signatures calling for full benefits of our contract to be extended to fellows. We also presented proposals to strengthen protections for international grad workers, including: 

    • Improved remote work flexibility

    • Guaranteed CPT/OPT

    • Protections against federal agents

    You can keep track of the exact language on our proposals throughout the bargaining process on our bargaining tracker here: http://mitgsu.org/bargaining-tracker 

    MIT has clearly s    tated that this will be a months-long process. Without MIT agreeing to the extensive additional time we have proposed, it essentially guarantees that members will not receive the raises they deserve come June 1st. Despite that, we’re excited to keep going and open further dialogue with the administration to make sure that MIT graduate worker interests are fully represented at the table as soon as possible. 

    Today was an important and succ    essful day for our union. Let’s keep the pressure hot and the progress going by joining our MIT community at a May Day rally on Friday 5/1 at 3pm! RSVP here and let’s bargain a strong contract together!

  • Today, we entered the second session of bargaining prepared for discussion and expecting answers to our urgent proposals to protect those most vulnerable in our community. We have now been at the table officially for 10 days. After presenting our proposals to MIT, here are the results: 

    • International worker protections: No response.

    • Fellows inclusion: No response.

    • LGBTQ+ protections: No response. 

    Nevertheless, we cannot wait for the administration, because graduate workers need a contract now. This morning, we proposed more non-economic articles, including Article 6 on academic just cause (read in depth details in the bargaining tracker). 

    We are at the contract bargaining table to improve the lives of as many grad workers as possible. MIT has shown that they are at the table to nitpick our proposals and delay meaningful change. We look forward to MIT’s proposals at our next session on May 11th. 

    In order to overcome MIT's delays, we need grad workers in every department and lab talking to coworkers about the contract fight. Join the Contract Action Team TODAY!
    In solidarity,
    MIT GSU Bargaining and Grievance Committee