Wins Across the Country
Graduate researchers are unionized on campuses across the United States. Check out these comparison tables to learn more about the wins that unionization has brought to researchers.
Image credits: Reed Yalisove, via The Nation
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Before first union contract
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Current union contract
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| Salary | ||
| Salary | All salary levels and increases were unpredictable and set unilaterally by UC. Some postdocs made as little as $18,000 per year. | Over $38,000 (over 50% increase) |
| Health Benefits | ||
| Health Benefits | UC determined all health plan benefits and costs. Many Fellows did not receive University-provided health insurance for themselves or dependents. | All Postdocs and dependents receive comprehensive UC-provided health benefits at about 10x lower costs than at peer universities. |
| Paid Family Leave and Childcare | ||
| Paid Family Leave and Childcare | No guarantee of leave benefits for maternity, family, medical, bereavement or other reasons. and no childcare benefits. | In the 2022 contract, Postdocs won 8 weeks of fully paid leave that can be used after the birth or adoption of a child, or for family care. Postdocs can also use PTO, sick leave and short-term disability for maternity leave. Childcare subsidies of $2,500/year, increasing to $2,800/ year by 2026, and lactation support at work. |
| Personal Time Off (PTO), Sick Leave & Holidays | ||
| Personal Time Off (PTO), Sick Leave & Holidays | PTO was only given at the PI’s discretion, and time off requests were frequently denied. One sick day per month with no roll over to new appointments. | 24 days PTO and 12 sick days available on the first day of appointment, and 14 holidays. Sick days roll over to new UC appointments if unused. |
| Discipline and Dismissal/Layoffs | ||
| Discipline and Dismissal/Layoffs | Postdocs could be disciplined or dismissed arbitrarily, or “at will.” UC could lay off postdocs at any time and for no reason with no notice or compensation. | UC must prove “just cause” in order to discipline or dismiss Postdocs. This means that all discipline must be fair and cannot be arbitrary. Layoffs require very specific conditions and Postdocs must get 30 days notice. |
| Dispute Resolution | ||
| Dispute Resolution | No neutral, fair contractual dispute resolution process. UC Admin decided disputes. | All workplace disputes are resolvable by a fair and expedient grievance procedure and, ultimately, appeal to a neutral arbitrator. |
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Before first union contract
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Current union contract
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|---|---|---|
| Salary | ||
| Salary | $30,480 | Year 4 (2026-2027): $41,110 (14.8% increase over 4 years) |
| Health Insurance Out-Of-Pocket Maximum | ||
| Health Insurance Out-Of-Pocket Maximum | $6,000 | $2,000 |
| Dependent Health Insurance | ||
| Dependent Health Insurance | Not Offered | Subsidized for four dependents |
| Hours of Work | ||
| Hours of Work | No limit on expectations | Maximum of 40 hours (including all training activities) |
| Vacation/Sick Time | ||
| Vacation/Sick Time | Discretion of PI | Twenty days off, guaranteed, time off front loaded with 10 days roll over |
| Discrimination, Harrassment, and Conflicts | ||
| Discrimination, Harrassment, and Conflicts | You are responsible for resolving the conflict, Dean determines the outcome. | You can ask a trained GR to accompany or represent you. Formalized, legally enforceable grievance procedure. |