Two Years of Bargaining is Too Long:

After nearly two years of negotiations over our first union contract, Princeton Postdocs & Scholars need a fair agreement without further delay.

We are more than 1000 Postdoctoral Researchers and Scholars across 56 departments, centers, and programs at Princeton. We carry out the cutting edge research and education that make Princeton one of the most prestigious universities in the world. Yet, while our work is critical to Princeton’s mission, decisions about our jobs and working conditions have long been made without us and do not reflect the immense value we bring.

We’re fighting for a contract that fairly compensates us for our critical work; that strengthens protections against harassment and discrimination; that supports the needs of international researchers and scholars, who comprise more than half of all postdocs; and makes Princeton a safer, more equitable workplace for all. 

Since voting to form our union by an overwhelming 85% in May 2024, we have taken numerous actions to make progress towards a fair agreement: 

• A majority of Postdocs & Scholars identified priorities in bargaining surveys and approved an initial set of bargaining goals.
• More than 100 Postdocs & Scholars have observed bargaining sessions during the course of negotiations, and numerous have provided testimony at the table.
• Hundreds of Postdocs & Scholars have demonstrated their support for a contract by joining rallies and actions.
• A majority of Postdocs & Scholars signed onto a letter demanding a fair contract now and delivered this letter to the Princeton administration on May 1st of this year.

Despite consistent demonstration of support for a strong contract by a majority of Postdocs & Scholars over the course of 40 bargaining sessions, the administration has delayed progress towards a fair agreement. Instead, the administration offers proposals that maintain the status quo, and even impose cuts to employee benefits.

Strong and Enforceable Protections Against Harassment and Discrimination

Protections from discrimination and harassment are fundamental rights that all Postdocs and Scholars deserve. The University’s current reporting process consistently fails Postdocs and Scholars experiencing abusive conduct in our workplace. We need a neutral process enforceable through our union contract that can ensure employees experiencing harassing or discriminatory behavior are able to seek safe working conditions efficiently. Our proposal is compatible with Princeton’s existing policies and seeks to strengthen and extend the values of equity and inclusion that Princeton stands for. We are fighting for a contract that offers Postdocs and Scholars a clear path forward for navigating discrimination and harassment.

Other institutions and union contracts that have this process:

• Postdocs at the University of California-UAW 4811 at the University of California, all campuses
• Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
• Weill Cornell Medical Postdocs Union-UAW at Weill Cornell Medicine
• Postdoctoral Researchers at Columbia University – CPW-UAW 4100

Fair Compensation

Our salaries lag far behind Postdocs and Scholars at peer institutions. Moreover, the Princeton area has an extremely high cost of living – one which many of us struggle to keep up with despite being proud members of the Princeton community. We are fighting for compensation that keeps up with industry standards for unionized Postdocs and Scholars and reflects the extensive value we contribute to the university. The Princeton administration must agree to fairer compensation for Postdocs, ensuring that our pay reflects the cost of living in Princeton.

What peer institutions have won

• • Postdocs at the University of California
    •  3.5% yearly raise
  • Postdocs at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
    • 72.5k minimum salary
    • For postdocs with externally provided salaries less than the minimum stipulated in this Article, then Mount Sinai shall provide additional funding to raise the Postdoctoral Fellow’s total support to at least the minimum stipend
  • Weill Cornell Medical Postdocs Union
    • 72.6k minimum salary 
    • 3.5k 2nd-year bonus
    • $500 ratification bonus
  • Postdoctoral Researchers at Columbia University
    • 70k minimum salary for Postdocs, 77k for ARS
    • 3.5k yearly bonus, plus 3% yearly raise

Support for International Postdocs and Scholars

Over 65% of Postdocs and Scholars at Princeton work on visas and provide valuable expertise and work to the university. Yet, international Postdocs and Scholars are disproportionately impacted by inequitable university policies and practices. Postdocs and Scholars are fighting for robust support for international researchers to offset the significant costs of relocating to Princeton to work here and contribute to the University’s research mission. There shouldn’t be a penalty for working at Princeton as an international scholar; Princeton must uphold its commitment to equity in our workplace.

What peer institutions have won:

• • Postdocs at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
    • Reimbursement of reimbursed up to $1,250 for visa stamp renewal related travel and fees
    • an option for extended DS2019 work authorization beyond appointment length
  • Weill Cornell Medical Postdocs Union
    • Five business days of protected time for visa renewal
    • Up to $1,500 in reimbursements for visa-related expenses
    • Option for extended DS2019 work authorization beyond appointment length
  • Postdoctoral Researchers at Columbia University
    • 1250 to cover visa renewals, including visa fees and travel costs

Preparing for an SAV:

After attending escalation workshops across campus, more than 50 Postdocs & Scholars from every department on campus signed their name committing to talk to their coworkers about voting YES in a Strike Authorization Vote if it becomes necessary to win a fair contract.

Mass Meeting:

Over 60 Postdocs and Scholars across departments met and launched our collective plan to take control of the timeline and win the fair contract Postdocs and Scholars deserve without further delay.

Fair Contract Now Sign on Letter:

More than 500 Postdocs & Scholars signed onto a letter to the President and Provost, expressing their support for a contract that includes: increased compensation; stronger housing support; real job security; and enforceable protections against harassment and discrimination.

Meeting with Elected Officials:

Postdocs and scholars met with Assemblyman Roy Freiman and Assemblywoman Mitchelle Drulis to discuss our negotiations with the Princeton administration. Thank you to our elected Assemblymembers for their support for our fight for a fair contract without further delay!