7/22/25 SWC makes counterproposal for contract extension
On July 10, 2025, Columbia sent SWC a proposal to extend our contract by a year. Today, after extensive deliberations over the last week and a half, we have approved and delivered our counterproposal to Columbia for a three-month extension. Through this process, we have democratically coalesced around this counter that we believe will address the immediate needs of student workers and provide a path forward for bargaining over the successor contract our members need and deserve in this moment of crisis. This includes setting up conditions for open and transparent bargaining,more protections for international students, immediate financial relief, and protections for teaching positions essential to student learning. Read below a brief comparison of the proposal the University sent to us, and our approved counterproposal. A summary of our deliberations is here.
The University’s proposal:
The University’s proposal for a contract extension involved extending the contract as-is for one more year, with the following modifications:
2% raise for those on appointment between 2024-2025;
$3,770 increase in summer stipend for those who received a summer stipend in 2025;
Implementation of the current contract proposal of $49,042 prorated for the period of their appointment ($49,042 for 12-month appointments, $36,782 for 9-month appointments);
Hourly workers will receive $23.00/hour effective September 1, 2025.
Essentially, this contract extension would integrate the minor pay raises put forth in Columbia’s compensation proposal and let the rest of the contract remain for the next year. While the Bargaining Committee has recommended not to accept this proposal as-is, Our membership has drafted a counterproposal that considers a shorter extension as a method through which to move forward in bargaining and meet our worker’s immediate needs while a successor contract is negotiated.
Our Counterproposal:
Read the full counterproposal here.
Open, hybrid bargaining to commence no later than August 1, 2025 in accordance to safe and secure Ground Rules for Zoom observation.
A greater compensation boost for our members:
5% raise for those on appointment between 2024-2025;
Payment of no less than $50,083 prorated for the period of their appointment (i.e. $50,083 for 12-month appointments; $37,562 for 9-month appointments).
For those who receive a summer stipend, they will receive a $4175 increase to a total of $10540
A provision for summer funding beyond the guaranteed compensation years, e.g. for the summer after a student deposits their dissertation.
We propose a raise for hourly workers from $23.00/hour to $24.20/hour
Significant protections for international student workers, including demands that the University will not collaborate with ICE by providing confidential information, or using a worker’s immigration status as leverage.
A memorandum to protect both Teaching Fellowship positions and graduate preceptorships in the Core Curriculum––the latter of which is currently at risk of being replaced with adjuncts at the last minute––and to restore graduate preceptorship roles in the Core to numbers that keep with past practice.
After a unitwide poll, our membership voted to authorize the BC to send the above counterproposal. The proposal has been delivered, and we await the University’s response. After months of Columbia attempting to condition our Union representatives, refusing to respond to our Ground Rules and demands for transparency, all while continuing to engage and negotiate with the Trump Administration, we hope they will consider this counter seriously and come to the table. As always, we are ready and eager to bargain.