What researchers really want
What do we want?
Everyone has unique life experiences, needs, and priorities when coming together to form a union. Ultimately we will democratically choose what to bargain for in our contract. Here are the results from a preliminary survey we administered to over 1,000 researchers across NYU:
| As part of the union, I would like to negotiate a contract with NYU that (check all that apply): |
Research Staff |
PhD |
Postdoc |
| Raises minimum salary & guarantees annual salary increases |
88% |
90% |
89% |
| Expands housing access & affordability |
64% |
81% |
82% |
| Protects against discrimination, as well as sexual & power-based harassment |
69% |
80% |
71% |
| Enhances international researcher rights, including tax, visa, & relocation support |
59% |
73% |
76% |
| Increases family friendly policies (e.g., parental leave, childcare, affordable health care) |
63% |
66% |
77% |
| Guarantees paid time off & roll over of unused days |
70% |
69% |
65% |
| Improves health, vision, and dental benefits |
60% |
78% |
64% |
| Strengthens job security |
68% |
63% |
68% |
| Increases transparency in administrative policies |
64% |
74% |
59% |
| Enhances opportunities & time for professional development |
64% |
63% |
63% |
| Establishes fair retirement benefits |
53% |
57% |
62% |
| Establishes a fair grievance procedure |
51% |
61% |
54% |
How will NYU pay for this?
NYU is one of the wealthiest universities in the country. If it can afford to pay Robert Grossman, dean of the Grossman Medical School $8.8 million a year, and to pay President Linda Mills $1.6 million a year it can afford to pay its workers living wages. NYU has also spent millions of dollars trying to quash our union (despite what NYU would like you to believe, organizing is a legal right and union busting is illegal! Please reach out to someone if you feel like you cannot express support for unions at the workplace!). NYU can afford it!
