BARGAINING
UPDATES

September 17, 2026

On Thursday, we were joined by a group of grads as we continued to present our economic proposals to the administration. Grads shared powerful testimonials over the difficulty of accessing healthcare in an equitable and timely manner. As we introduce new proposals and provide counters, you can review the articles below or check out the bargaining tracker. 

Economic Proposals 

  • Benefits: medical, dental, and vision premiums fully covered for individuals and their families, reduced copay costs and out-of-pocket maximums for individuals and families, retirement plan participation, student loan assistance

  • Leaves: leaves of absence for medical conditions, pregnancy, new parenthood, sickness, bereavement, personal reasons, professional development, and more

  • Holidays: incorporating cultural and religious observances, winter, spring, and thanksgiving breaks 

  • Financial Assistance: details the amounts and how to access emergency, medical, food, and international student assistance. 

We also countered on three noneconomic proposals, artificial intelligence, hours of work, and nondiscrimination. We can only win the contract we deserve if we stand up and fight together. To get involved in organizing click here. Thank you to all of our supporters who showed a strong front. If you want to join future bargaining sessions, sign up here. 

Unfortunately, the administration had nothing new to propose until after 4pm, delaying any progress that the parties could have made that day. In addition, the administration has been stalling by breaking labor laws inside and out of bargaining. You can see examples of the charges we filed against the administration on our bargaining tracker under the new Unfair Labor Practice tab. The University must be held accountable when changes to our workplace are made without notice, or when grads are prevented from speaking about the union to our coworkers. 

Don’t forget to fill out your membership card if you haven’t already. The administration will NOT have access to your membership card information (including whether or not you signed one) until our first contract is ready for ratification.

See this and previous updates and newsletters here. Also, fill out this form if your working conditions change including changes in cost of prescription medications. 

In solidarity,
Your bargaining committee

Lauren Wewer, Chair (MEMS)
Alisa Omelchenko, Recording Secretary (SOM)
Keanna Cash (SOE)
Chi-Tsung Chang (English)
Hollen Tillman (SSW)
Emily Ruttenberg (Math)
Jackson Wallace (Physics & Astronomy)
Matt Nader (USW)
Nate Kilbert (USW)
Don Shaffer (USW)